How much fill dirt do I need? Enter your project dimensions to get cubic yards, tons, truck loads, and cost estimates with compaction and waste factors built in.
Accounts for soil settling and compaction loss
10% typical, accounts for spillage and uneven terrain
Ready to calculate
Enter your project dimensions
Last updated March 31, 2026 by our expert review team
$15/yd³
1.1 t/yd³ • Basic fill, no debris
$25/yd³
1.15 t/yd³ • Filtered, uniform
$35/yd³
1 t/yd³ • Garden-ready
$12/yd³
1.3 t/yd³ • Heavy, compacts well
$20/yd³
1.2 t/yd³ • Good drainage
$30/yd³
1.4 t/yd³ • Compacted base
Ruth Wairimu
Landscape Architect
Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.
See full profileHawkin
Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated March 2026
How we verify our calculators| Area (sq ft) | 4" Deep | 6" Deep | 12" Deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 4.6 |
| 250 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 11.1 |
| 500 | 7.4 | 11.1 | 22.2 |
| 1,000 | 14.8 | 22.2 | 44.4 |
| 2,000 | 29.6 | 44.4 | 88.9 |
*Values include 25% compaction factor
Order 25-30% more than calculated. Fill dirt loses 20-30% volume during compaction, and a second delivery doubles trucking fees.
Place fill in 6-inch lifts, compacting each to 95% Proctor density. Skipping lifts is the #1 cause of settling driveways.
Use clean fill (no organics) for structural applications. Topsoil decomposes and creates voids under slabs and footings.
Slope all fill away from foundations at 1 inch per foot for the first 6 feet. Inspectors will flag missing drainage.
Schedule deliveries for dry weather. Wet fill weighs 20-40% more, is harder to spread, and won't compact properly.
For fills deeper than 2 feet behind retaining walls, use sandy or structural fill. Clay holds water and creates pressure that can topple walls. Need to calculate removal first? Use our excavation calculator.
After grading with fill dirt, you may need sand or mulch as a finishing layer for landscaped areas.
After grading, use our sod calculator to estimate how much sod you need to cover the new surface.
For raised garden beds, use our raised bed soil calculator to get the right soil mix ratio and volume.
The calculator converts your project dimensions into cubic yards using the standard formula: length times width times depth, divided by 324 (when depth is in inches). But raw volume is only the starting point. Fill dirt behaves very differently from rigid materials like concrete or lumber.
When fill dirt is excavated and loaded onto a truck, it "swells" by 20-30% compared to its in-ground volume because air pockets form between loose particles. Once placed and compacted on your site, it shrinks back down. This is why our calculator includes a compaction factor: a 20% compaction setting means you need to order 20% more loose material to end up with the correct compacted volume. For structural fills under slabs or footings, engineers typically specify 25-30% compaction allowance.
We also add a waste factor (default 10%) to account for spillage during delivery, material left in the truck bed, uneven terrain that consumes more fill than flat-surface math predicts, and the inevitable loss when gravity pulls material downhill on slopes. Ordering a second truckload costs $75-150 in delivery alone, so the waste buffer almost always pays for itself.
Formula
Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 324
With Compaction = Cubic Yards × (1 + Compaction %)
With Waste = Compacted Yards × (1 + Waste %)
Fill dirt vs. topsoil?
Fill dirt has no organics, won't decompose, ideal for structural support. Topsoil is nutrient-rich for planting only. UGA Extension has a detailed comparison guide.
How much does fill dirt settle?
Compacted fill settles 1-3% in year one. Uncompacted fill can settle 15-25%. Always compact to 95% Proctor density.
How much does fill dirt cost?
Clean fill: $5-15/yard. Screened: $20-30. Topsoil: $30-50. Delivery adds $50-150 per truckload.
How many yards fit in a dump truck?
Single-axle: 10-12 yards. Tandem: 14-18 yards. Semi: 20-25 yards. Weight limits may reduce capacity for heavy clay.
Do I need a permit?
Usually yes for fills over 12-18 inches deep or exceeding 50 cubic yards. Check with your local building department first.
What is 'clean fill'?
Dirt free of debris, chemicals, and organics. Accepting contaminated fill can make you liable for $10,000+ remediation costs.
How do I compact properly?
Use a plate compactor for granular fills, sheepsfoot for clay. Spread in 6-inch lifts, moisten to 12-15%, make 3-4 passes per lift.
Fill dirt or gravel behind retaining walls?
Use crushed gravel or sandy fill for the first 12 inches behind the wall. Clay traps water and creates pressure that can push walls over.
Using topsoil as structural fill
Topsoil decomposes over 2-5 years, creating voids. Use clean fill or structural fill for driveways, patios, and foundations.
Skipping compaction between lifts
Compact every 6-inch lift to 95% density. Dumping and compacting only the top leaves loose soil that settles unpredictably.
Accepting free fill without testing
Free fill can contain debris or contamination. The property owner, not the hauler, is liable. Always request a soil test certificate.
Ignoring drainage and grading
Slope fill 1 inch per foot away from structures. Missing drainage is a code violation that leads to foundation damage.
Ordering without compaction factor
Loose fill is 20-30% more voluminous than compacted. Order accordingly or face a $75-150 second delivery fee.
Filling over tree root zones
More than 4 inches of fill suffocates roots. Use coarse gravel near trees to maintain air space.
A homeowner needed to level a 20x30-foot area that sloped 8 inches. Used structural fill with 25% compaction. Laser level set grade stakes every 4 feet, compacted in two 2-inch lifts.
In-ground pool demolished and filled to match surrounding yard grade. 8 tandem loads over 3 days. Punched holes in pool floor for drainage, topped last 6 inches with topsoil for grass.
New garage foundation perimeter trench backfilled with sandy fill and 20% compaction. 2 standard dump truck loads. Waited 7 days after pour, sloped final grade 6 inches away over 10 feet.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.