How much fill dirt you need
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.03.
Example: a 10 × 10 ft area at 6 inches deep is 50.0 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards. At 1.03 tons per cubic yard that is 1.90 tons, or 100 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
Set the depth to the low spot you are filling.
How far one yard and one ton go
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 316 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 158 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 105 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 79 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 53 sq ft |
Ton figures use 1.03 tons per cubic yard.
Weight and price
Engineering ToolBox lists loose dry dirt at 76 lb per cubic foot, about 1.03 tons per cubic yard, and loose moist dirt at 78 lb.
HomeGuide puts fill dirt at $5 to $25 per cubic yard. The price box above starts at the middle of that range; type in your supplier's quote for a real number.
Common questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of fill dirt?
About 1.03 tons. Engineering ToolBox lists loose dry dirt at 76 lb per cubic foot, about 1.03 tons per cubic yard, and loose moist dirt at 78 lb.
How much area does a ton of fill dirt cover?
About 158 sq ft at 2 inches deep, or 105 sq ft at 3 inches.
How much does fill dirt cost?
HomeGuide puts fill dirt at $5 to $25 per cubic yard. Delivery is often extra.
Sources
- https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html
- https://homeguide.com/costs/fill-dirt-sand-topsoil-cost