Soil, Dirt & Mulch Calculators
Topsoil and fill dirt in cubic yards and tons, with settling and compaction already built in.
Soil is sold loose but it never stays loose. Topsoil settles 10–15% once it is watered in, and fill dirt loses 15–25% of its volume when it is compacted. Our soil calculators build those allowances in, so the yardage you order is the yardage you end up with after the ground has done its settling.
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Topsoil or fill dirt – which do I need?
Use topsoil when…
- You are laying or re-seeding a lawn (4–6″ for new turf)
- You are filling raised beds or planters (often blended with compost)
- You are levelling low spots in an existing lawn (1/4–1/2″ at a time)
- Anything will grow in it – topsoil is the nutrient-rich top layer
Use fill dirt when…
- You are raising grade, filling a hole, pool or old foundation
- You need a stable base under a patio, shed, or a layer of topsoil
- You are backfilling a trench, wall or septic installation
- Nothing needs to grow in it – fill is subsoil with little organic matter
Typical combo: fill dirt to within 4–6″ of finished grade, then topsoil on top. Run both calculators with their own depths and add the loads together.
How much does soil weigh?
Soil weight swings more than stone because moisture changes it so much. Dry, loose topsoil can be under 1 ton per cubic yard; wet, compacted fill can be close to 1.6 tons. Suppliers often sell by the cubic yard for exactly this reason. The densities our calculators use:
| Material | lb / ft³ | lb / yd³ | US tons / yd³ | kg / m³ | tonnes / m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt (loose) | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | 1,602 | 1.60 |
| Fill dirt (compacted) | 115 | 3,105 | 1.55 | 1,842 | 1.84 |
| Clay / clay fill | 110 | 2,970 | 1.49 | 1,762 | 1.76 |
| Sandy fill | 105 | 2,835 | 1.42 | 1,682 | 1.68 |
| Topsoil | 90 | 2,430 | 1.22 | 1,442 | 1.44 |
| Excavated earth (dry) | 95 | 2,565 | 1.28 | 1,522 | 1.52 |
| Excavated earth (wet) | 110 | 2,970 | 1.49 | 1,762 | 1.76 |
Quick reference: how much soil for common jobs
| Job | Depth | Soil per 100 sq ft | Soil per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-dress / level a lawn | 1/2″ | 0.15 yd³ | 1.5 yd³ |
| Over-seed prep | 1″ | 0.31 yd³ | 3.1 yd³ |
| New lawn (sod or seed) | 4″ | 1.23 yd³ | 12.3 yd³ |
| New lawn, poor subsoil | 6″ | 1.85 yd³ | 18.5 yd³ |
| Vegetable / flower bed | 8″ | 2.47 yd³ | 24.7 yd³ |
| Raised bed fill | 12″ | 3.70 yd³ | 37 yd³ |
Before settling allowance. 1 cubic yard spread 1″ deep covers 324 sq ft.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards of dirt are in a dump truck?
A standard tandem dump truck carries about 10–14 cubic yards of soil; a tri-axle carries 16–18 yards; a single-axle “small” dump truck about 5–6 yards. Weight limits matter too – wet fill at 1.5 tons per yard can max out a truck before it is full. The dirt calculator shows truckloads for each size.
How many tons is a yard of dirt?
Loose, moderately moist topsoil is about 1.2 tons per cubic yard; fill dirt is about 1.35 tons loose and 1.5–1.6 tons compacted. Dry soil can be as light as 1 ton per yard.
How much extra soil should I order for settling?
Order 10–15% extra topsoil and 15–25% extra fill dirt. Topsoil settles as it is watered; fill compacts when it is rolled or driven over. Both calculators include an adjustable allowance.
