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How much dirt do you need?

To find how much dirt you need, multiply length × width in feet by the depth in feet and divide by 27 — that’s your cubic yards, and a full-size pickup holds about 2 of them. Dirt sells by the cubic yard, with clean fill and topsoil typically $5–$50 per cubic yard locally plus delivery, so pinning your number down keeps you from over-ordering. Enter your measurements below for an exact estimate — then, if you want, drop a pin so someone nearby with spare dirt can find you.

Updated July 27, 2026 · Figures: industry estimates, 2026

What are you working on?

Enter length, width, and depth to see how much dirt you need.

Dirt math, explained

How much fits in a pickup?

A full-size pickup bed holds about 2 cubic yards of dirt, and a small trailer a bit more. That's a useful yardstick: if the calculator says you need 6 yards, you're looking at roughly three truckloads — or one delivery from someone with a dump trailer.

What a yard weighs

A cubic yard of dirt weighs roughly a ton — call it 2,000 to 2,700 lbs for dry fill dirt, and a little less, around 1,800 to 2,200 lbs, for screened topsoil. Wet dirt is heavier, so a load that's been rained on will tax a small trailer more than the volume suggests.

Fill dirt vs. topsoil

These aren't interchangeable. Topsoil is the dark top layer things grow in — use it for gardens, beds, and reseeding a lawn. Fill dirt is the denser subsoil underneath; it packs down and stays put, which makes it right for raising a low spot or backfilling, but wrong for planting. Big jobs often use both: fill to build up the level, topsoil on top to finish.

Common questions

How many cubic yards are in a pickup truck bed?
A full-size pickup bed holds about 2 cubic yards of dirt — less if it's wet, since wet dirt is heavier.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
Roughly a ton, but it depends on the soil and how wet it is. Dry fill dirt runs about 2,000–2,700 lbs per cubic yard; screened topsoil is a bit lighter at around 1,800–2,200 lbs. Water adds weight fast, so a rained-on load can be noticeably heavier.
What's the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Topsoil is the dark, living top layer you plant in — grass, gardens, raised beds. Fill dirt is the subsoil underneath: denser, packs down, and grows very little. Use fill to build up a low spot or backfill, then cap it with a few inches of topsoil for anything that needs to grow.
How do I figure out how much dirt I need?
Measure the length and width in feet and the depth in inches. The calculator multiplies them and divides by 27 to give cubic yards, rounded up to the nearest half yard.
How much extra dirt should I order for settling?
Loose fill dirt settles about 15% once it’s compacted, so for fill projects order about 15% more than the bare volume.
Is the dirt calculator free?
Yes. It’s free, works right in your browser, and needs no signup.