Fill Dirt Calculator

Dirt math, explained

Bank, loose, and compacted — three different volumes

The same dirt measures differently depending on where it is. Undisturbed bank dirt still in the ground swells about 20% when you dig it loose — a 10-yard hole yields roughly 12 loose yards to haul away. Run it the other direction and compacteddirt packed back into place shrinks by a similar amount. That 20% rule is why a disposal estimate (loose, in the truck) reads higher than the hole you dug, and why a fill order (compacted, in place) reads higher than the bare measurement. The calculator's compaction buffer handles the fill side for you.

Getting rid of dirt: what removal costs

Digging dirt out loosens it, so a hole that measures 10 yards in the ground yields roughly 12 loose yards to load and haul — that same ~20% swell from above. In Northeast Ohio, getting that dirt gone runs from a few hundred dollars for a short DIY dump run up to $1,400–$2,300 per load for full-service removal (Northeast Ohio estimates, 2026). The cheaper path is usually a neighbor: if someone nearby needs fill, the haul is your only cost — or it's free when they come pick it up. That's the whole idea behind free fill dirt on Dirtly. For every option, cheapest first, see our guide to what to do with excess dirt.

Local price context: see fill-dirt figures for topsoil and fill in Kent and fill dirt prices in Ravenna, or find your own town in Northeast Ohio. Seeding a new lawn on top? The grass seed calculator works out pounds and bags.

A quick guide to soil types

Clean fill≈ 1.35 tons/yd³ · settles ~15%

Screened subsoil with no rocks, roots, or debris. Building up low areas and backfilling — the cheap workhorse for volume.

Sandy fill≈ 1.2 tons/yd³ · settles ~11%

Sand-heavy fill that drains fast and compacts less. Under pavers or drainage-sensitive spots where you want water to move through.

Clay fill≈ 1.5 tons/yd³ · settles ~22%

Dense, sticky fill that packs hard and sheds water. Grading away from a foundation or building a firm, water-shedding base.

Topsoil≈ 1.1 tons/yd³ · settles ~8%

Dark, loose, organic-rich soil that things grow in. The top few inches of lawns, beds, and gardens — not for structural fill.

Mixed / unscreened≈ 1.3 tons/yd³ · settles ~15%

As-dug material — a mix of soil, rock, and roots. Rough filling where looks and consistency don’t matter and price does.

Common questions

What is a cubic yard of dirt?

A cubic yard is a cube three feet on every side, which works out to 27 cubic feet. A full-size pickup bed holds about two cubic yards, so one yard is roughly half a truckload. Weight depends on the material and how wet it is: about 2,200 pounds for topsoil, about 2,700 for clean fill, and up to about 3,000 for clay, which is roughly 1.1 to 1.5 tons.

How many cubic yards are in a truckload?

A standard tandem dump-truck load is about 10 to 14 cubic yards; this calculator figures 10 to a load to stay on the conservative side. A full-size pickup bed only holds about 2 to 3 cubic yards, and a small dump trailer 4 to 6.

What does a yard of dirt weigh?

Roughly a ton — but it varies with soil and moisture. Dry fill dirt runs about 1.2 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard (around 2,400 to 3,000 lbs); topsoil is lighter, near 1.1 tons (about 2,200 lbs). Water adds weight fast, so a rained-on load is heavier than the volume suggests.

Do I need fill dirt or topsoil?

Topsoil is the dark, living top layer you plant in — lawns, gardens, and raised beds. Fill dirt is the denser subsoil underneath: it packs down and stays put, which is right for building up a low spot or backfilling but wrong for growing. Big jobs use both — fill to build the level, then a few inches of topsoil on top.

Why does my order need a compaction buffer?

Loose dirt is full of air. Once you place and compact it, it settles and takes up less room — often 10% to 25%, depending on the soil. So you order a little more than the hole measures (about 15% for clean fill, more for clay) to avoid coming up short.

How much does fill dirt cost delivered?

In Northeast Ohio, expect roughly $150–$400 for a delivered tandem load — about 10 cubic yards — as a 2026 estimate. On Dirtly the dirt itself is often free; you're mostly paying to move it.

Where can I dump dirt near me?

Common options are clean-fill drop-off sites, landscape-supply yards and excavators who accept material, and — often for free — a neighbor nearby who needs fill. Many sites only take clean fill (no debris, roots, or contamination) and hours and fees vary, so call before you load up.

How much does dirt removal cost?

In Northeast Ohio, hauling dirt away runs from a few hundred dollars for a short DIY dump run up to $1,400–$2,300 per load for full-service removal (Northeast Ohio estimates, 2026). If a neighbor wants the dirt, the haul is your only cost — or it's free when they come pick it up.

How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard?

It depends on the wheelbarrow. The common 9-to-14-loads figure assumes a smaller 2-to-3-cubic-foot homeowner wheelbarrow — 27 cubic feet divided by 3 is about 9 loads, divided by 2 is about 14. A big 6-cubic-foot contractor wheelbarrow cuts that to roughly 4 to 5 heaped loads. Either way, a yard is a lot of trips.

How much topsoil do I need to cover 1,000 sq ft?

About 3.1 cubic yards for a 1-inch layer — 1,000 divided by 324 is roughly 3.1. Depth scales it straight: a half-inch overseeding pass over 1,000 square feet is about 1.5 yards, a 4-inch new-lawn seedbed about 12. The shortcut runs both ways — 324 divided by the depth in inches is the square feet one cubic yard covers (see the coverage chart above). For thin layers, use the Cover an area mode, which adds the buffer they always need.

How many bags of soil are in a cubic yard?

About 36 of the standard 40-pound topsoil bags you see at big-box stores — a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and a 40-pound bag holds roughly 0.75 of a cubic foot, so it works out to about 36 bags a yard. Bags are the easy route for a small job; once you are past a yard or two, bulk is far cheaper per yard and a lot less hauling.