Material takeoff
How much fill dirt do I need?
Enter the area and how deep you need to build it up. Fill volumes get large quickly, so results include rough truck loads.
How the math works
cubic yards = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324
Fill jobs get big fast. Raising a 20 by 30 foot area by one foot is 22 cubic yards, which is two tandem dump truck loads. A standard tandem carries roughly 10 to 14 cubic yards depending on the truck and the material weight.
Fill also settles. Placed loose and left alone, it can lose ten percent or more of its height over the first year, and unevenly.
Placing fill that stays put
Compact in lifts. Six to eight inches at a time, compacted, then the next lift. A single deep pile compacts only at the surface and settles for years underneath.
Strip organic material first. Fill placed over grass, leaves, or brush settles as that material decomposes underneath it.
Think about where the water goes. Raising one area redirects runoff somewhere else, and that somewhere else may be your neighbor's yard or your own foundation. Grading changes that affect drainage across a property line are a common source of disputes and are regulated in some jurisdictions.
Anything structural — fill under a slab, footing, or retaining wall — needs engineered compaction and testing, not a rented plate compactor and good intentions.
Where people get it wrong
- Using topsoil for bulk fill
- Topsoil costs several times more and compacts poorly. Use fill for volume and topsoil for the top few inches.
- One deep lift
- Fill must be compacted in layers or it settles for years.
- Filling over vegetation
- Organic material under fill rots and leaves voids.
- Ignoring drainage and property lines
- Changing grade changes where water goes. Check local rules before major regrading.
Background
Fill dirt is subsoil sold for bulk volume: no organic matter, no screening, and much cheaper than topsoil. Use it for the bulk of any deep fill and save topsoil for the last few inches where things need to grow.
What you need for the job
Common questions
How many yards of fill dirt in a dump truck?
A tandem axle dump truck typically carries 10 to 14 cubic yards. Smaller single-axle trucks carry about 5 to 7.
How much does a yard of fill dirt weigh?
Roughly 2,000 to 2,700 pounds depending on soil type and moisture content.
What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with the organic matter removed or absent, used for volume and grading. Topsoil is the screened, nutrient-rich upper layer used for growing.
How much fill dirt do I need to raise my yard 6 inches?
A 1,000 square foot area raised 6 inches takes about 15.4 cubic yards before compaction. Add 10 to 15% for settling.
Can I get fill dirt for free?
Often yes. Excavation and construction contractors pay to dispose of clean fill and will sometimes deliver it free to a nearby site. Quality varies widely, so inspect before accepting a load.
Measuring by hand is where estimates go wrong
Trace your beds, driveway, or lawn on satellite imagery and the square footage comes straight from the shape you drew. Subtract the house and driveway, map every project on the property at once, and get one combined order list.
Measure my yardFree. No account, no email.
Keep this free
PlotMyYard has no paywall, no signup, and no limits. If it saved you a wasted trip to the supply yard, you can chip in for the hosting — and there is a message box on that page if you have a correction or a material you wish it handled.
Leave a tip