Soil, fill, and garden projects
Cubic Yard Calculator for Dirt and Soil
Estimate dirt, topsoil, or garden soil volume, weight, coverage area, pickup loads, and recommended overage for landscaping or fill work.
Calculate Dirt or Soil
Fill Dirt vs Topsoil vs Garden Soil
| Type | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fill Dirt | Backfill and grading | Low organic content, better for shape and support. |
| Topsoil | Lawns and planting surface | Screened soil for the top few inches. |
| Garden Soil | Raised beds and vegetables | Usually blended with compost or amendments. |
How Much Dirt Do I Need
For raised beds, measure the inside length and width, then use the planned soil depth. For lawn levelling, use the area being dressed and the average depth, often 1 to 2 inches. For backfill, split irregular spaces into smaller rectangles and add the totals.
Dirt Weight by Type
| Material | Approx. lbs per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Fill dirt | 2,200 |
| Topsoil | 2,400 |
| Garden soil | 2,400 |
Worked Examples
A 4x8 raised bed filled 12 inches deep needs 4 x 8 x 1 / 27 = 1.19 cubic yards. A 500 square foot lawn area levelled 1 inch deep needs 500 x 0.083 / 27 = 1.54 cubic yards before overage.
FAQ
Measure length and width in feet, multiply by depth in feet, then divide by 27. Use inches for depth if you are filling a shallow area.
No. Fill dirt is usually used for grading and backfill, while topsoil is screened for lawns and planting areas.
Dry fill dirt is often about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard. Topsoil is commonly about 2,400 lbs per cubic yard.
A small pickup may safely carry less than 1 cubic yard. This calculator uses 2 cubic yards as a planning estimate for a larger pickup or light trailer.
New grass usually needs 4 to 6 inches of good topsoil. Thin lawn repairs may need 1 to 2 inches.
Yes, order about 10 percent extra when filling uneven areas. Dirt settles and compacts after placement.
Garden soil is best for planting beds, not structural fill. Use fill dirt for grading and topsoil or garden soil for the top layer.
Small dump trucks may carry 5 to 6 cubic yards. Larger trucks may carry 10 to 20 cubic yards depending on weight limits.
Multiply bed length by width by soil depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 4x8 bed filled 12 inches deep needs about 1.19 cubic yards.
Yes. Moisture can add significant weight, so confirm hauling limits and supplier weights before transport.