Dirt Calculator
Calculate how many cubic yards and tons of fill dirt or topsoil you need for grading, raised beds, and backfill.
Dirt Calculator (Fill Dirt & Topsoil by the Yard) Guide
The dirt calculator works out how much fill dirt or topsoil you need—in cubic yards and tons—for grading a yard, filling raised beds, or backfilling. Enter the length, width, and depth and it does the conversions, so you order the right amount the first time.
How to Calculate Fill Dirt and Topsoil
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A cubic yard of dirt weighs roughly 1 ton (about 2,000–2,200 lb), though wet soil is heavier—so multiply cubic yards by about 1.1 for a tonnage estimate. For a new lawn, plan 4–6 inches of topsoil; raised garden beds usually want 6–12 inches.
Fill Dirt vs. Topsoil — Which One?
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter—cheap and stable, ideal for raising grade, filling holes, and backfilling where you need structure that won't settle. Topsoil is the nutrient-rich upper layer used for lawns, gardens, and planting. Many projects use fill dirt to build up the bulk, then cap it with topsoil. To convert volumes to a supplier's weight, use our tonnage calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need for a lawn?
For a new lawn, spread 4–6 inches of topsoil. Multiply your area's square footage by the depth in feet (4 inches = 0.33 ft), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4 inches needs about 12 cubic yards.
What's the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with minimal organic content, used to raise grade and backfill because it compacts and stays put. Topsoil is the fertile upper layer for growing grass and plants. Fill dirt is cheaper; topsoil is for the final planting layer.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
A cubic yard of dry fill dirt or topsoil weighs roughly 2,000–2,200 pounds (about 1 ton). Moisture adds weight quickly—wet soil can exceed 3,000 pounds per cubic yard, which matters for delivery and hauling.
How many bags of topsoil are in a cubic yard?
About 36 forty-pound bags of topsoil equal one cubic yard, since each bag holds roughly 0.75 cubic feet. For anything over a cubic yard, bulk delivery is far more economical than bagged soil.