Landscape & Groundwork
Dirt Calculator
Find the cubic yards, tons and material cost for your soil or fill project.
Enter your measurements
Results update as you type.
About this calculator
Works for fill dirt, screened topsoil and garden soil. Enter dimensions, an area with depth, or a known volume; add an optional order allowance and your supplier's bulk density to see the weight in US short tons, metric tonnes and kilograms.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the area and the depth of the soil or fill quantity being estimated.
- Use a density for the same loose or in-place condition as that volume. The displayed Acme topsoil example is editable and may not match fill dirt.
- For grading to a finished compacted level, obtain a separate project-specific loose-to-compacted or settlement conversion.
- Apply any additional order allowance once and confirm net versus order quantity with the supplier.
Formula
Net volume = length × width × depth (or area × depth, or entered volume)
Order volume = net volume × (1 + allowance ÷ 100)
Weight = order volume × supplier density — only when density is supplied
Assumptions
- Dirt settles and compacts after delivery; the order allowance is extra volume, not a settlement model.
- Loose bulk density varies with moisture and screening — the default is editable and must be confirmed.
- US short ton, metric tonne and cubic yard are never mixed silently.
- The editable density is a named supplier example. Grading, moisture and compaction can change the weight.
Volume reference: 100 ft²
| Depth | Geometric volume |
|---|---|
| 3 in | 0.926 yd³ |
| 6 in | 1.852 yd³ |
| 12 in | 3.704 yd³ |
Derived geometry only; no geotechnical compaction model.
Common mistakes
- Mixing depth in inches with area in square feet before converting units.
- Using a loose or dry supplier density for a different compacted or wet material.
- Applying extra order volume twice, or treating it as a compaction model.
Worked example
Try it: press “Load example” above the form.
12 ft × 9 ft × 3 in is exactly 1 yd³. At the illustrative density of 1.15 US short ton/yd³, weight is 1.15 US short tons before any allowance.
Limitations
Quantities are geometric planning estimates. Confirm the material, dry/loose or compacted basis, delivery minimum and density with your own supplier. The allowance is extra volume, not a compaction model.
Frequently asked questions
Is fill dirt the same as topsoil?
No. Fill is used to build up levels, while topsoil is selected for the growing layer. This calculator measures quantity; it does not certify soil composition, drainage, contamination or suitability for planting.
Does a dirt allowance model compaction?
No. The allowance simply increases the geometric order volume once. Ask the supplier or project designer for a separate loose-to-compacted factor if your grading work requires one.
What does the worked example show?
12 ft × 9 ft × 3 in is exactly 1 yd³. At the illustrative density of 1.15 US short ton/yd³, weight is 1.15 US short tons before any allowance.
Which assumptions should I check before using the result?
Quantities are geometric planning estimates. Confirm the material, dry/loose or compacted basis, delivery minimum and density with your own supplier. The allowance is extra volume, not a compaction model.
Sources
Sources explain the methods and any named product presets. Check your product label where coverage, yield or density differs.
- Inch Calculator: Gravel
- NIST: Revised Unit Conversion Factors
- Triangle Landscape Supplies: dry bulk weights
Named supplier examples: rock 2,800 lb/yd³, sand 2,500 lb/yd³, soil 2,000–2,600 lb/yd³. These do not specify every material. Checked 8 November 2026.
- Acme Sand & Gravel: bulk conversion examples
Topsoil example: 2,300 lb/yd³. Supplier examples vary; prices are not used. Checked 8 November 2026.
Calculation documentation · Updated 2026-11-11 · Version 1.6.4. Estimates are planning aids. Confirm quantities, coverage and prices with your supplier before purchasing. Found an error? Report it.
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