Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 1.1 to get tons of dirt. A 20 × 10 ft area at 6 inches deep needs about 3.7 cubic yards — roughly 4.1 tons.
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Order – tons (includes your waste allowance) so compaction and spillage don’t leave you short.
Dirt Calculator Guide
“Dirt” covers a lot of ground — literally. Grading a low spot, raising a bed, backfilling a foundation, or building up a berm all start with the same question: how many yards? This calculator uses fill dirt’s standard density of 1.1 tons per cubic yard, noticeably lighter than crushed stone because it holds more air and, often, organic matter.
Because dirt is usually the biggest-volume material on a grading job, small depth errors turn into real truckloads. Measure carefully and lean on the calculator rather than eyeballing a pile.
How Many Yards of Dirt Do I Need to Raise My Yard?
| Raise height | Per 500 sq ft | Per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 3.1 yd³ / 3.4 tons | 6.2 yd³ / 6.8 tons |
| 4 in | 6.2 yd³ / 6.8 tons | 12.3 yd³ / 13.6 tons |
| 6 in | 9.3 yd³ / 10.2 tons | 18.5 yd³ / 20.4 tons |
| 12 in | 18.5 yd³ / 20.4 tons | 37.0 yd³ / 40.7 tons |
Add 10% to any of these figures — loose fill settles as rain and its own weight compact it, and a thin final layer of true topsoil (see the topsoil calculator) usually goes on top for anything that needs to grow.
Fill Dirt Is Not Topsoil
Fill dirt is subsoil — cheap, dense, and deliberately low in organic matter so it doesn’t decompose and sink over time. It’s what belongs in the lower layers of any grading job: raising elevation, filling holes, backfilling around foundations and retaining walls. Topsoil is the biologically active top layer roots need, and using it below grade wastes money on material that will just settle and decompose.
- Compact in lifts. Anything structural — a shed pad, a patio base — needs fill compacted in 4–6 inch lifts, not dumped and left.
- Slope away from structures. Grading should carry water away from foundations at a minimum 2% slope for the first 10 feet.
- Cap with topsoil where things will grow. Four to six inches of real topsoil over compacted fill is the standard lawn and bed build-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
Fill dirt weighs about 1.1 US tons per cubic yard — lighter than crushed stone because it packs less densely and holds more air and organic matter, even before accounting for moisture.
How many yards of dirt do I need to raise my yard?
To raise 500 sq ft by 6 inches, you need 250 cubic feet — about 9.3 cubic yards, or roughly 10 tons. Order 10% extra since fill settles as it compacts under its own weight.
Should I use fill dirt or topsoil?
Use cheaper fill dirt for the lower layers where nothing will grow — grading, raising low spots, backfilling foundations — and reserve topsoil for the top 4–6 inches where roots actually need to establish.
Does dirt need to be compacted?
Yes, in lifts, especially under anything structural. Loose fill settles unevenly over the first year of rain, which is why sheds, patios, and driveways built on freshly dumped fill often crack or sink.