How much fill dirt do I need to raise my yard?

To raise a 2,000 sq ft yard by 6 inches: 2,000 x 0.5 / 27 = 37 cu yd loose. With 25% compaction: 46.3 cu yd. This is approximately 3 tandem dump truck loads.

What is the difference between fill dirt and clean fill?

Fill dirt may contain rocks, roots, and debris. Clean fill is screened to remove organic matter and large rocks - it is more expensive ($15-$35/cu yd) but provides better compaction and is required for building pads and foundation backfill.

How much does fill dirt cost in 2026?

Fill dirt: $10-$25 per cubic yard delivered. Clean fill: $15-$35 per cubic yard. Compaction testing (required for structural fill): $200-$500 per test. Delivery minimums: typically 5-10 cubic yards.

Can I use fill dirt for gardening?

No - fill dirt lacks organic matter and nutrients needed for plant growth. Use topsoil (or a 50/50 blend of fill dirt and compost) for garden beds and lawns. Fill dirt is only for subgrade, grading, and structural fill applications.

Fill Dirt Calculator

Estimate cubic yards of fill dirt needed for grading and backfill.

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Fill Dirt Calculator

Length(ft)

Width(ft)

Depth

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Fill dirt compresses 20-30% under proper compaction — always order 25% more than your calculated loose volume. Place fill dirt in 6-8 inch lifts and compact each layer before adding the next. For structural fill (building pads, foundations), request clean fill with compaction testing certification.

What This Calculator Does

The Fill Dirt Calculator computes the cubic yards of fill dirt needed for grading, backfilling, and site preparation projects. Enter the area dimensions and depth to get the volume, plus a 25% compaction factor - fill dirt compresses significantly when compacted in lifts.

Fill dirt is the subsoil material used to raise grade, fill depressions, backfill around foundations, and create building pads. Unlike topsoil, fill dirt contains little organic matter and is primarily mineral content (sand, clay, rock). It is significantly cheaper than topsoil and is sold by the cubic yard. Fill dirt compacts approximately 20-30% during proper placement in 6-8 inch lifts.

Common applications: raising a low yard for drainage, filling a swimming pool hole, backfilling a retaining wall, creating a building pad for a shed or garage, and general site grading.

How to Use

Measure the length, width, and depth of the area to be filled in feet.
Enter dimensions into the calculator fields above - depth in inches for shallow fills, feet for deep fills.
Click "Calculate" to get the loose cubic yards and the adjusted amount with 25% compaction factor.
Order from a local earthworks supplier - fill dirt is typically $10-$25 per cubic yard delivered.
Plan for placement in 6-8 inch lifts with compaction between each layer.

Worked Examples

Raise Low Yard for Drainage

A 500 sq ft low section of yard needs to be raised 6 inches to improve drainage away from the house foundation.

→Area: 500 sq ft. Target rise: 6 in / 12 = 0.5 ft.
→Loose cubic feet: 500 x 0.5 = 250 cu ft.
→Loose cubic yards: 250 / 27 = 9.26 cu yd.
→With 25% compaction factor: 9.26 x 1.25 = 11.58 cu yd.
→At $15/cu yd delivered: 11.58 x $15 = $174 material cost.

Result: Approximately 11.6 cubic yards of fill dirt needed to raise a 500 sq ft area by 6 inches after compaction.

After placing and compacting fill dirt, it will settle further over the first year — plan to add 1-2 inches of additional fill after one full season of rain and freeze-thaw cycles. Test drainage after each rain event during the first year.

Reference Table

Fill dirt reference - cubic yards by area and depth with compaction factor
Area	Depth 6 in	Depth 12 in	Depth 24 in	After Compaction
500 sq ft	9.3 cu yd	18.5 cu yd	37.0 cu yd	+25%
1,000 sq ft	18.5 cu yd	37.0 cu yd	74.1 cu yd	+25%
2,000 sq ft	37.0 cu yd	74.1 cu yd	148.1 cu yd	+25%
5,000 sq ft	92.6 cu yd	185.2 cu yd	370.4 cu yd	+25%
10,000 sq ft	185.2 cu yd	370.4 cu yd	740.7 cu yd	+25%