Dirt Calculator

Fill Dirt vs Topsoil

Fill dirt and topsoil are two different materials. Fill dirt is the subsoil below the growing layer, used to fill holes, raise grade, and backfill. Topsoil is the dark upper layer rich in organic matter, used for lawns and planting beds. Fill dirt costs less because nothing grows in it. Use fill dirt for structural fill and grade changes, and save topsoil for the final 4 to 6 inches where plants will root. The calculator handles both, with fill dirt at about 2,400 pounds per cubic yard and topsoil at about 2,000 pounds.

How Much Dirt Do I Need

The dirt you need depends on the area and depth. Multiply length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 x 10 ft area at 6 inches deep needs 3.7 cubic yards. To convert to tons, multiply cubic yards by the dirt weight: fill dirt is 1.0 to 1.35 tons per yard, topsoil is 0.9 to 1.1 tons. The calculator returns yards, tons, cubic feet, and truckloads. Always add 10 to 15 percent extra for compaction, since fill dirt packs down when settled.

Tons vs Yards

Dirt is sold by both cubic yards and tons. Cubic yards measure volume, while tons measure weight. Fill dirt weighs 2,000 to 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, so a 5 yard order is about 5 to 6.75 tons. Order by the yard to fill a known volume and use the tons figure to plan trucking. Moisture changes the weight: wet clay-heavy dirt weighs far more than dry sandy fill, so a rainy-day delivery may run heavier than the dry calculation. Confirm with the supplier whether they bill by the yard or the ton.

How much dirt fits in a dump truck?

A standard dump truck holds 10 to 16 cubic yards of dirt, and a typical residential delivery brings about 12 cubic yards. By weight, a single-axle dump truck carries 5 to 6 tons and a tandem-axle truck carries 10 to 14 tons. For large grade jobs, order full truckloads to spread the delivery cost across more material. The calculator shows truckload count so you can plan how many drops the job needs.

Why add extra for compaction?

Fill dirt compacts when it is packed down, so loose dirt settles into a smaller finished volume. Add 10 to 15 percent extra to reach your target grade after compaction. Clay-heavy dirt needs more buffer than sandy dirt because it compresses further. Without the buffer, the finished surface sinks below the level you planned and you have to order a second small load.

Planning a Dirt Delivery

A dirt delivery needs three plans: a clear dump zone, truck access, and a spreading crew. The dump zone should be a flat spot the truck can reach and back into. A standard dump truck needs about 12 feet of width and overhead clearance free of wires. Confirm the truck size against your access before ordering, since a tandem-axle truck is large and heavy. Stage the dirt as close to the work as possible to cut wheelbarrow trips.

Order the right amount by adding 10 to 15 percent for compaction. Loose dirt settles when packed, so a hole that measures 10 cubic yards needs about 11.5 cubic yards of fill to finish at grade. For large grade jobs, split the order across loads scheduled the same day to keep the site workable. A single-axle truck carries 5 to 6 tons and a tandem-axle carries 10 to 14 tons, so match the truck to your driveway and the load size you need.

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