calcs.homes
calcs.homes
Find how much fill dirt you need for grading, backfilling, or leveling a yard — with a compaction allowance since loose fill settles over time.
Estimate only — actual compaction varies with soil type and moisture.
We multiply length × width × fill depth (converting depth from inches to feet) to get raw cubic feet, then add your chosen compaction allowance — 0%, 15%, or 25% — before converting to cubic yards. Weight multiplies cubic yards by 1.3 tons, a typical density for fill dirt or topsoil, and cost multiplies cubic yards by your price per yard.
Loose fill dirt settles once it's spread and compacted, so ordering exactly the finished depth's worth of material leaves you short. A light 15% allowance covers most backyard grading; heavy compaction (driveways, sub-base under a slab) can call for 25% or more, since more of that loose volume gets pressed out under load — actual settling still varies with soil type and moisture, so treat the allowance as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Multiply the area by your target depth to get raw volume, then add a compaction allowance since loose dirt settles. This calculator does both steps for you.
About 1.3 tons for typical topsoil or fill dirt, though wet or clay-heavy soil can weigh more.