Dirt Calculator

How to use the dirt calculator

This dirt calculator helps you estimate how much dirt you need for a landscaping, filling, grading, garden, lawn, or other project. You only need three measurements to calculate the volume: the length, width, and depth of the area.

1. Measure the length of the area.
2. Measure the width of the area.
3. Enter the depth of dirt you want to add.
4. Select the appropriate units for your measurements.
5. Enter the dirt density if you know it.
6. Optionally enter the price per cubic yard.
7. Click Calculate dirt.

The calculator converts your measurements and gives you the estimated volume in cubic feet and cubic yards. It also estimates the weight in tons and material cost when a price is provided.

How much dirt do I need?

The amount of dirt you need depends on the size of the area and how deep you want the dirt to be. A larger area requires more dirt, while a deeper fill requires more material even when the surface area stays the same.

For example, suppose an area is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide. The area is 200 square feet. If you want to add 6 inches of dirt, the required volume is approximately 100 cubic feet, or 3.70 cubic yards.

Use the calculator above to calculate the exact volume for your own dimensions instead of estimating based only on the surface area.

How to calculate cubic yards of dirt

Dirt is commonly purchased by the cubic yard, so knowing how to convert your project dimensions into cubic yards is useful when ordering bulk material.

First, multiply the length by the width and the depth to find the volume in cubic feet. If your measurements are in feet, the basic formula is:

If your dirt depth is measured in inches, divide the depth by 12 to convert it to feet.

Once you have the volume in cubic feet, divide it by 27 to convert it into cubic yards.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of dirt?

One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. This conversion is useful because dirt and other bulk landscaping materials are often sold by the cubic yard.

For example, if your project requires 81 cubic feet of dirt:

So the project would require approximately 3 cubic yards of dirt based on the calculated volume.

Fill dirt calculator

A dirt calculator can be used as a fill dirt calculator when you need to estimate material for filling low areas, building up ground, filling around a project, or other applications where bulk fill material is required.

Measure the area that needs to be filled and determine the average depth of the fill. Enter those measurements into the calculator to determine the approximate cubic yards of fill dirt required.

For irregular areas, divide the project into smaller sections. Calculate each section separately and add the cubic-yard results together.

Garden bed dirt calculator

You can also use this dirt calculator for a garden bed. Measure the length and width of the bed and enter the depth of material you plan to add.

For a rectangular garden bed, the calculation is straightforward: multiply the length by the width and then multiply by the desired depth. The calculator automatically converts the result into cubic yards.

If the garden bed has an irregular shape, divide it into rectangles or other simple sections. Calculate the volume of each section and combine the results.

Calculate dirt fill for an area

To calculate dirt fill, you need the surface area and the average fill depth. If the ground is uneven, use an average depth rather than measuring only the deepest point.

For example, if one part of an area needs 4 inches of fill while another part needs 8 inches, the actual project may require a different amount than simply multiplying the entire area by 8 inches. Dividing the area into sections can provide a more useful estimate.

How much dirt is in a yard?

A cubic yard is a measurement of volume, not weight. One cubic yard always contains 27 cubic feet, but the weight of a cubic yard of dirt can vary depending on the type of dirt, density, and moisture content.

This is why the calculator provides both cubic yards and an estimated weight instead of treating every cubic yard of dirt as having the same weight.

How many tons of dirt do I need?

To estimate the weight of dirt, you need an estimated density. The calculator uses the volume in cubic feet and the density you enter to estimate the total weight.

To convert pounds to tons:

Dirt density can vary significantly depending on the material and its moisture content. If your supplier provides a density or weight specification, use that value for a more useful estimate.

Dirt calculator in yards

If you are ordering dirt from a landscape supplier, the quantity may be quoted in cubic yards. The calculator converts your measurements into cubic yards so you can use the result when comparing delivery amounts and material prices.

For example, if your calculation produces 108 cubic feet:

That means the calculated volume is 4 cubic yards of dirt before accounting for settling, uneven ground, or any additional material you may decide to order.

Dirt calculator for landscaping

Landscaping projects frequently involve calculating the amount of bulk material needed for a defined area. Dirt may be used for filling, leveling, raising an area, preparing planting areas, or changing the grade of a section of a property.

Before ordering material, measure the area as accurately as possible. For larger or irregular projects, breaking the project into smaller sections can make the calculation easier and reduce measurement errors.

Example dirt calculation

Suppose you need to fill an area that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 6 inches deep.

• Length: 20 feet
• Width: 10 feet
• Area: 200 square feet
• Dirt depth: 6 inches
• Depth in feet: 0.5 feet
• Volume: 100 cubic feet
• Volume: about 3.70 cubic yards

The calculated volume is therefore approximately 3.70 cubic yards of dirt. Your final order may differ depending on the actual material, ground conditions, settling, and how accurately the project depth can be maintained.

How much area does one cubic yard of dirt cover?

The coverage of one cubic yard depends entirely on the depth at which the dirt is spread. Since one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, you can divide 27 by the desired depth in feet to estimate the theoretical coverage.

For example, at a depth of 6 inches, the depth is 0.5 feet:

So one cubic yard can theoretically cover about 54 square feet at a 6-inch depth. Actual coverage may vary because the ground may be uneven and dirt can settle after placement.

Why your actual dirt requirement may be different

The calculator provides a volume estimate based on the measurements you enter. Your actual dirt requirement can be different because of several project conditions, including:

• Uneven ground
• Sloped areas
• Different fill depths across the project
• Soil settling
• Material density
• Moisture content
• Uneven spreading
• Measurement errors
• Existing soil conditions

For larger projects, compare your calculated quantity with the recommendation from your material supplier or contractor before placing an order.

Frequently asked questions