Fill Dirt Calculator

Estimate the cubic yards of fill dirt to raise or level ground.

Inputs
ft ×
ft
in
Results update as you type — no submit
ResultsLIVE
Cubic yards to order
4.1 cu yd
≈ 3.11 m³
Delivery weight
4.95 tons
= 4.49 t (metric)
Delivery weight4.95 tons
Approx. weight9,902 lb ≈ 4.95 tons
Formula
volume = 20 × 10 × (6÷12) = 100 cu ft = 3.7 cu yd + 10% → 4.1 cu yd
weight = 4.1 cu yd × 1.22 tons/yd³ = 4.95 tons
Fill compacts in the hole — the 10% allowance covers loose-to-placed shrinkage. Ordered by the cubic yard.
Diagram — area planNTS
20′ 0″10′ 0″DEPTH: 6″FILL AREA · DASHED = LIMIT OF FILL
MeasureShedmeasureshed.com/calculator/fill-dirt-calculator
Fill dirt — material listUNITS: FT · SCALE: NTS
Inputs
Area20 × 10 ft
Depth6″
Waste+10%
Results
Cubic yards to order4.1 cu yd
Volume4.1 cu yd
Weight9,902 lb
Area planDEPTH: 6″ · NTS
20′ 0″10′ 0″DEPTH: 6″FILL AREA · DASHED = LIMIT OF FILL
Shopping list
☐ 4.1 cu yd of fill dirt (4.95 tons)
Formula
volume = 20 × 10 × (6÷12) = 100 cu ft = 3.7 cu yd + 10% → 4.1 cu yd
weight = 4.1 cu yd × 1.22 tons/yd³ = 4.95 tons
Estimates for planning only — verify before purchaseSHEET 1 OF 1
How it works

Fill dirt raises or levels ground, and like other bulk earth it is ordered by the cubic yard. The calculator multiplies length by width to get the area, multiplies by depth for the loose volume, and converts to cubic yards by dividing by twenty-seven. Depth entered in inches is divided by twelve first so the units agree.

Fill dirt is heavier and rockier than topsoil; this tool uses about 1.22 tons per cubic yard for the delivery-weight estimate. As always with soil, moisture moves that number, so order by volume and read the ton figure as a guide to load weight.

The important twist with fill is compaction. Loose soil placed in a hole settles as it is tamped and as it weathers, so you need to order more loose volume than the finished hole measures. A ten-percent allowance is a reasonable default for hand-tamped work; deep structural fill compacted in lifts can need more.

Worked example
Area 20 ft × 10 ft · depth 6″ · +10% compaction
volume = 20 × 10 × (6 ÷ 12) = 100 cu ft = 3.7 cu yd
with 10% = 4.07 cu yd → weight ≈ 4.07 × 1.22 = 4.95 tons
Questions from the yard
Measure the space in feet, multiply length by width by depth, and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 200 sq ft area filled 6 in deep is 100 cu ft, about 3.7 cu yd before you add a compaction allowance.
Estimates for planning only — verify before purchase
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