Fill Dirt Calculator
Grading, holes, and low spots. Remember compaction: fill settles, so order beyond the math.
Common questions
How much extra fill dirt for compaction?
Order 15–25% beyond the calculated volume — fill compacts as it's placed, and what looks level today settles low by spring. For structural fill under slabs, compact in 6–8" lifts.
Fill dirt vs topsoil — which do I need?
Fill dirt is subsoil — cheap, structural, nothing grows in it. Topsoil is the living layer — expensive, fertile. Standard play: fill to within 4–6" of final grade, cap with topsoil. Never bury topsoil under fill.
How many tons is a yard of fill?
About 1.1 tons per cubic yard dry, more if moist or clay-heavy. Delivery is usually priced by the truckload (10–14 yards) — the calculator tells you how many loads.