Dirt Calculator
Ordering dirt is really a volume question. A quick dirt calculator turns the size of the area into cubic yards, tons and bags in seconds, so you can order the right amount for a garden bed, a lawn it levels a path it fills, or foundation backfill without second-guessing.
Enter the length, width and depth of the area you need to fill. This cubic yard calculator shows how many cubic yards of fill dirt you need, about how much it weighs, and how many of the standard 1.5 cubic feet bags that works out to. Put in a price per yard if you already have one, and it estimates the total cost too.
Cubic Yard Calculator
Length × Width × Depth → cubic yards, tons, bags & cost. Free, no sign-up.
Most mulch and topsoil beds need 2–3 inches; gravel driveways 4–6 inches.
The material sets the weight and bag estimate — densities are typical averages.
Add your supplier’s price to see the estimated total cost.
Suggested order: 1.50 cubic yards (exact need 0.93 yd³ + 10% for waste & compaction).
(2,130 lb)
using 1.5 cu ft bags
add a price per yard to see the cost
Order tip: add 5–10% extra for waste, spillage and compaction — material settles once it is spread and rained on. The suggested order amount above already includes a 10% allowance, rounded up to the nearest half yard.
How to Calculate Dirt in Cubic Yards
The formula is simple:
Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27
Measure length and width in feet, and the depth in feet too (convert inches by dividing by 12 — 3 inches = 0.25 feet).
- Measure in feet. Length and width in feet; for a round bed measure the diameter, then halve it for the radius.
- Convert depth to feet. Divide inches by 12 (3 in = 0.25 ft, 4 in = 0.33 ft).
- Multiply and divide. Length × width × depth gives cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add a waste allowance. Dirt settles and the surface is rarely perfectly flat. Add 5–10% (the calculator’s recommended amount is 1.02 cubic yards for this example).
Example: a 10 ft × 10 ft bed filled 3 inches deep: 10 × 10 × 0.25 = 25 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards — about 2,130 lb, roughly 1.07 tons. That is about 17 bags of the standard 1.5 cubic feet size — or one bulk bag of topsoil totalling 1 yard delivered in a bulker bag.
It is good to note how deep the fill will be. Deeper fill settles much more, so you need to add extra depth and compact the layers as you go.
Dirt Bags per Cubic Yard
The standard bag of dirt is 1.5 cubic feet. That means 18 bags make one cubic yard.
| Cubic yards | Bags needed (1.5 cu ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 18 |
| 2 | 36 |
| 3 | 54 |
| 5 | 90 |
| 10 | 180 |
Two quick checks: a pickup truck bed is roughly 2 cubic yards (36 bags) and a normal wheelbarrow hold is about 3 cubic feet (2 bags).
How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Dirt Weigh?
A cubic yard of fill dirt is heavy.
2,300 lb — about 1.15 tons per cubic yard — is the standard planning weight. A yard of fill dirt is denser than screened topsoil and heavier than a yard of mulch.
The loose weight of dirt varies by moisture, clay content and compaction. Wet dirt is heavier — clay-heavy dirt can be close to 2,700 lb per yard when wet — and loads of loose dirt vary.
For a rough sense of scale, a cubic yard of fill dirt is close to a tonne.
There are 2,000 lb in a ton, so 2,300 lb is about 1.15 tons.
Keep the site dry when you can: wet dirt is heavier to move, and that changes the number of trips.
Filling and Leveling: How Deep Should Fill Dirt Be?
Heavy loads of dirt settle — for the first few weeks of a project it can sink an inch or two — and if you skip compaction it keeps settling.
Use 6-12 inches of fill dirt for lawns, up to 18 inches for tree pits, and deep fill for foundations.
For deep fills, spread the dirt in layers (“lifts”) of about 6–8 inches, watering sparingly and tamping each layer down.
Plan for a little settlement after the work is done — a 10–15% settlement is typical, and the extra depth you planned for will fill it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of dirt do I need?
It depends on the size of the area and the depth. Measure length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27. The calculator at the top works it out for you — 10 ft × 10 ft at 3 inches is 0.93 cubic yards. Remember: more depth means more dirt.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
Fill dirt weighs roughly 2,300 lb per cubic yard (about 1.15 tons). Wet dirt weighs more, and clay-heavy dirt holds more water.
How many bags of dirt make a cubic yard?
About 18 bags of the standard 1.5 cubic feet size. Bag counts vary by size and brand, so check the bag volume.
How deep should dirt be for a garden bed?
Most garden beds need 6–12 inches of dirt for healthy roots. Fill dirt anchors the bed, but you want topsoil or good garden soil for the top 6–12 inches where plants grow.
What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is the subsoil layer — it is denser, heavier and has almost no organic matter. It is cheap and stable, so it is used to fill holes, level land and build up grades. Topsoil is the nutrient-rich top layer for planting; it costs more and holds moisture better. Use fill dirt for bulk volume, topsoil for the top growing layer.