Side by side
| Fill Dirt | Topsoil | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 2,052 lb (1.03 t) | 2,160 lb (1.08 t) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.97 | 0.93 |
| Sq ft per ton at 3 in | 105 | 100 |
| Average price | $5–$25/yd³ | $10–$50/yd³ |
Weights and prices from the sources listed below.
HomeAdvisor describes fill dirt as a mix of sand, clay and rock fragments found beneath topsoil, without organic material, and says it costs less than topsoil. Use fill to raise or level ground, and topsoil for the layer plants grow in.
Working it out
Cubic yards = area × depth ÷ 324 (sq ft and inches). Tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard.
For 200 sq ft at 3 inches, both need 1.85 cubic yards: 1.90 tons of fill dirt or 2.00 tons of topsoil.
Common questions
Which is heavier, fill dirt or topsoil?
Topsoil at about 1.08 tons per cubic yard, against 1.03.
Related calculators
Sources
- https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/landscape/deliver-soil-mulch-or-rocks
- https://homeguide.com/costs/fill-dirt-sand-topsoil-cost
- https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/dirt-mud-densities-d_1727.html