How much dirt do I need?
Type the size of the area or hole and how deep to fill it. The dirt calculator shows how much fill dirt to order in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres, about how much it weighs, and what it costs.
- Cubic yards
- 4.07
Order 4.07 yd³ of dirt (110 ft³), about 4.89 tons.
- Cubic feet
- 110
- Cubic metres
- 3.11
- Weight (US tons)
- 4.89
- Weight (tonnes)
- 4.44
Cubic yards: 4.07. Order 4.07 yd³ of dirt (110 ft³), about 4.89 tons.
How to calculate
Computes the fill dirt to fill a rectangular or round area to a depth, with extra for compaction, in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres, its weight in tons, and the cost.
Example with the default inputs (Area shape Rectangle, Length 20 ft, Width 10 ft, Depth 6 in, Extra for compaction 10%, Weight per cubic yard (tons) 1.2): Order 4.07 yd³ of dirt (110 ft³), about 4.89 tons.
Method: Volume = length × width × depth (or π × diameter² ÷ 4 × depth) × (1 + extra ÷ 100); cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard; tonnes = tons × 0.90718474.
- Extra for compaction is 10% by default (NeedsDirt: 10% to 15% for non-structural grading, 15% to 30% for structural fill).
- One cubic yard of fill dirt weighs 1.2 US tons by default (NeedsDirt: 1.2 to 1.5 tons, by moisture and make-up). Type your supplier’s figure.
- The area is filled level to the depth you type, with straight sides.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Area shape Rectangle, Length 20 ft, Width 10 ft, Depth 6 in, Extra for compaction 10%, Weight per cubic yard (tons) 1.2 gives Cubic feet 110, Cubic yards 4.074074, Weight (US tons) 4.888889.Source: NeedsDirt, How to Calculate Fill Dirt Needed (add 10 to 15% for non-structural grading; 1.2 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard), https://needsdirt.com/guides/how-to-calculate-fill-dirt-needed-contractor-s-complete-guide
- Area shape Rectangle, Length 27 ft, Width 1 ft, Depth 12 in, Extra for compaction 0%, Weight per cubic yard (tons) 1.5, Price per cubic yard $30.00 gives Cubic yards 1, Weight (US tons) 1.5, Weight (tonnes) 1.360777, Cost $30.00.Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C (1 yd³ = 27 ft³; 1 short ton = 2,000 lb = 0.90718474 t)
- Area shape Rectangle, Length 16.4 ft, Width 13.12 ft, Depth 11.81 in, Extra for compaction 15%, Weight per cubic yard (tons) 1.2 gives Cubic metres 6.9, Cubic yards 9.024859.Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C (1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³)
- Area shape Circle, Diameter 10 ft, Depth 24 in, Extra for compaction 0%, Weight per cubic yard (tons) 1.2 gives Cubic feet 157.079633, Cubic yards 5.817764.
How it works
- Rectangle: volume = length × width × depth
- Circle: volume = π × diameter² ÷ 4 × depth
- Dirt to order = volume × (1 + extra ÷ 100)
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 (1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³ exactly)
- Weight (US tons) = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard; tonnes = tons × 0.90718474 (1 ton = 2,000 lb × 0.45359237 kg)
- Cost (when you type a price) = cubic yards × price per cubic yard
Exact arithmetic. Each size is read as the exact decimal you typed, in the unit you typed it in (12 ft 6 in is exactly 150 in). When you type in a unit, the page stores the size in metres and reads it back as the decimal with the fewest significant digits, in one of the box's units, that gives the same stored number (a feet-and-inches pair counts by its value in inches; on a tie the first unit in the menu wins). When no decimal of up to 17 significant digits in those units gives the stored number (a value that was not typed on the page), the stored number's own shortest decimal, in metres or square metres, is used. Every step for a rectangle is an exact fraction, so 27 ft³ is exactly 1 yd³. A circle uses π.
Output format. Cubic yards, cubic metres, tons and tonnes show with at most 2 decimals, cubic feet with at most 1, and the cost in dollars and cents, each rounded half up from its exact value, with trailing zeros left off. In Metric the answer leads with cubic metres and tonnes.
Assumptions
- Extra for compaction: 10% by default (NeedsDirt’s 10% to 15% for non-structural grading); from 0% to 100%.
- Weight: 1.2 US tons per cubic yard by default, the low end of NeedsDirt’s 1.2 to 1.5 tons; from 0 to 10. For comparison, Engineering ToolBox lists loose dry dirt at 76 lb/ft³ (about 1.03 tons per cubic yard) and dry clay at 100 lb/ft³ (1.35 tons).
- The area is filled level to the depth you type, with straight sides. Lengths are more than 0 and at most 10,000 m; the depth at most 1,000 m.
Worked examples by hand
A 20 × 10 ft area, 6 in deep, 10% extra, 1.2 tons per yd³. 20 × 10 × 0.5 = 100 ft³; × 1.1 = 110 ft³ = 110 ÷ 27 = 4.07 yd³; × 1.2 = 4.89 tons.
27 × 1 ft, 1 ft deep, no extra, 1.5 tons per yd³, $30 a yard. 27 ft³ = 1 yd³ exactly; 1.5 tons = 1.5 × 0.90718474 = 1.36 tonnes; cost $30.
A 5 × 4 m area, 30 cm deep, 15% extra. 5 × 4 × 0.3 = 6 m³; × 1.15 = 6.9 m³ = 6.9 ÷ 0.764554857984 = 9.02 yd³.
A round hole 10 ft across, 2 ft deep, no extra. π × 10² ÷ 4 × 2 = 157.08 ft³ = 5.82 yd³.
Other questions people ask
How do I calculate how much dirt I need?
Multiply length × width × depth, all in feet, to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20 × 10 ft area filled 6 in (0.5 ft) deep needs 100 ft³, or 3.70 yd³. With 10% extra for compaction: 110 ft³, or 4.07 yd³.
Why order extra dirt for compaction?
Loose dirt from a truck packs down when it is spread, rolled and watered, so the packed fill takes less room than the loose dirt you buy. NeedsDirt suggests adding 10% to 15% for ordinary grading and 15% to 30% for structural fill. The calculator adds 10% by default.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
About 1.2 to 1.5 US tons (2,400 to 3,000 lb), depending on how wet it is and how much clay it holds. The calculator uses 1.2 tons by default; type your supplier’s figure for a better estimate.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³, about 0.765 m³. Bulk dirt is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton.
How do I calculate dirt for a round hole?
Use the area of a circle, π × diameter² ÷ 4, times the depth. A hole 10 ft across and 2 ft deep holds π × 100 ÷ 4 × 2 = 157.08 ft³, or 5.82 yd³.
Is fill dirt the same as topsoil?
No. Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise or level ground and fill holes; topsoil is the richer top layer for planting. For garden beds, use the soil calculator.