Fill Dirt & Topsoil Calculator
Dirt shrinks when it is compacted, so you need more loose yards than the hole holds. Enter the area and finished depth to get the loose yards to order, weight and truckloads.
Fill Dirt & Topsoil Calculator — ConcreteNear.com
| Cubic yards (loose) | 4.44 yd³ |
| Area covered | 200 ft² |
| Truckloads | 1 |
| 0.5 ft³ bags (small jobs) | 240 |
Cost estimate U.S. average prices
| Common fill dirt, delivered 4.44 yd³ × $36.23 | $161.02 |
| Estimated total | $161.02 |
- Compact fill in 6–8 in lifts; deep fill under slabs or footings should be tested for compaction.
| Inputs | |
| Material | Common fill dirt (~1.2 t/yd³) |
| Length | 20 ft |
| Width | 10 ft |
| Depth | 6 in |
| Density override (0 = typical for the material) | 0 tons/yd³ |
| Compaction / settling allowance | 20% |
| Truck payload | 14 tons |
Planning estimate only — confirm with your supplier or contractor.
Prices used — edit any price to match your local quote
| Item | Unit price | Basis & source |
|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt, furnished (borrow, truck measure) per yd³ | public source Florida DOT Item Average Unit Cost 2025, item 0120 2 2 Borrow Excavation, Truck Measure (66 contracts) (2025 lettings) — Furnished and delivered on public jobs; small residential orders and screened topsoil cost more. |
How to use this calculator
- Pick fill, select fill, topsoil or clay.
- Enter the area and finished depth.
- Use 15–25% shrink for fill that will be compacted.
- Read loose yards and loads.
Formulas
Loose yd³ = area × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × (1 + shrink %)Tons = yd³ × density (~1.1–1.4 t/yd³)
Questions
How much fill dirt do I need?
A 20 × 10 ft area filled 6 in deep is 3.7 yd³ compacted; with a 20% shrink allowance, order about 4.4 yd³ loose.
How much does a yard of dirt weigh?
About 1.1–1.4 tons depending on soil type and moisture.
Fill dirt or topsoil?
Use fill to raise grade and topsoil only for the top 4–6 in where things will grow.
Sources & assumptions
Prices checked 2026-11-10. State pricing multiplies national figures by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (goods for materials, services for labor and services). RPPs compare general consumer price levels (U.S. = 100). They are not construction-specific; we use RPP Goods for materials and RPP Services: Other (excludes rents) for labor and services.
- Fill dirt, furnished (borrow, truck measure) — Florida DOT Item Average Unit Cost 2025, item 0120 2 2 Borrow Excavation, Truck Measure (66 contracts) (2025 lettings). Furnished and delivered on public jobs; small residential orders and screened topsoil cost more.
Results are planning estimates, not quotes or engineering advice. Codes, specifications and your supplier's numbers govern.
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