Fill dirt calculator
For voids, grading and backfill — where you need cheap, compactable dirt in bulk, not growing medium. Enter the space to fill and get yards and tons.
Fill dirt needed
How much fill dirt do I need?
Same volume math as everything else — area × depth — with one twist: fill dirt compacts. Loose fill shrinks 15–25% when tamped or washed in, and structural fills (under slabs, pools, retaining walls) must be compacted in 6–8 inch lifts.
Example: filling a 25 ft × 10 ft low spot 6 inches deep: 250 ft² × 6 ÷ 12 = 125 ft³ = 4.6 yd³ loose, about 5 tons. Order 5+ yd³ to allow for compaction.
Fill dirt vs topsoil
Fill dirt is subsoil — stony, clay-heavy, cheap, and compactable. Topsoil is screened, organic, and settles badly under structures. The standard recipe for low spots in a yard: fill dirt to within 4–6 inches of grade, compact, then cap with topsoil before sod or seed.
| Fill dirt | Topsoil | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price (delivered) | $8–20 / yd³ | $20–45 / yd³ |
| Weight per yard | ~2,200 lb | ~2,100 lb |
| Use it for | Grading, voids, backfill | Lawns, beds, gardens |
| Compacts? | Yes — that's the point | Too organic for structural fill |
Delivery reality check
- Minimums: many quarries won't deliver under 3–5 yd³ without a short-load fee.
- A “scoop” at the yard is often 0.5–1 yd³ — ask before loading your trailer.
- Pool backfill usually needs crushed stone against the wall, not dirt — see the gravel calculator.