Fill Dirt Calculator
This fill dirt calculator finds how much fill dirt to order for a hole, a low spot, or a raised pad, including the extra needed for compaction. Enter the area, the depth, and a compaction allowance, and the fill dirt calculator returns the cubic yards, cubic metres, tonnes, and truckloads to order.
Results
The Fill Dirt Calculator is part of our Materials Estimating collection. Browse more materials estimating to size, convert, and check your work alongside this tool.
What the fill dirt calculator shows
Fill dirt is loose when delivered and settles when compacted, so you need more than the finished volume of the space. The fill dirt calculator adds a compaction allowance to the compacted volume and converts the result to cubic yards, tonnes, and truckloads. It works as a backfill dirt calculator for trenches and foundations too.
Calculate fill dirt needed
Cubic metres are converted to cubic yards by multiplying by 1.308, and weight is volume times density. Truckloads are the cubic yards divided by the truck capacity, rounded up.
Fill dirt calculator yards example
An area 10 m by 8 m filled 300 mm deep, with a 20 percent compaction allowance:
With 10 cubic yard trucks, that is four loads.
How to use the fill soil calculator
Enter the length and width of the area, the fill depth, the compaction allowance, the soil density, and your truck capacity. The fill soil calculator returns the fill dirt to order in cubic yards and cubic metres, the weight in tonnes, the number of truckloads, and the compacted volume. A 15 to 25 percent compaction allowance suits most fill.
How much fill dirt do I need: reading the result
Order the loose volume, not the compacted one, or the area will end up low after compaction. Clay-rich fill compacts more than sandy fill. Weight matters for delivery: a cubic yard of fill typically weighs over a tonne, more when wet.
When to estimate fill dirt
- Raising a low area of a yard with the fill dirt calculator
- Backfilling a foundation or trench
- Filling a hole or old pool
- Building up a pad before a slab or shed
Common fill dirt calculator mistakes
- Ordering the compacted volume. Order the loose volume.
- Using topsoil as structural fill.
- Compacting the full depth at once.
Tips for accurate results
- Compact in thin layers.
- Ask the supplier for the soil density.
- Check truck access before ordering large loads.
Fill dirt calculator with compaction
Compaction squeezes air out of loose soil, so the same dirt takes less space once rolled or tamped. A fill dirt calculator with compaction makes up for that loss up front. Compact in layers of about 150 to 200 mm for a firm result; dumping the full depth at once leaves soft pockets that settle later. Where the fill will carry a driveway or path, a gravel layer usually goes on top, which the gravel calculator sizes.
How much dirt to fill a hole
For an irregular hole, measure the average length, width, and depth, or split it into simple shapes and add their volumes before applying compaction.
Fill dirt cubic yard calculator reference (per 10 m², 20% compaction)
| Depth | Compacted | To order |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mm | 1.0 m³ | 1.57 yd³ |
| 200 mm | 2.0 m³ | 3.14 yd³ |
| 300 mm | 3.0 m³ | 4.71 yd³ |
| 500 mm | 5.0 m³ | 7.85 yd³ |
Fill Dirt Calculator FAQ
How much fill dirt do I need?
Multiply area by depth for the compacted volume, then add 15 to 25 percent for compaction.
How many tons of fill dirt do I need?
Multiply the loose volume by the soil density, about 1.2 to 1.6 tonnes per cubic metre.
Is fill dirt the same as topsoil?
No. Fill dirt is a base material without organic matter; topsoil is the top growing layer.
How many loads of dirt do I need?
Divide the cubic yards by your truck capacity and round up.