How to Use This Dirt Calculator
Our dirt and fill calculator helps you determine the exact amount of material needed for landscaping, grading, and construction projects. Whether you're filling a hole, building raised garden beds, or preparing a site for construction, this tool calculates volume in cubic yards, tons, and provides cost estimates.
Step 1: Choose Your Material Type
Different projects require different materials. Here's a guide to help you choose:
- Fill Dirt - Inexpensive soil for filling holes, grading, and backfill. Contains rocks, clay, and subsoil. Not suitable for planting.
- Topsoil - Nutrient-rich surface soil for lawns, gardens, and landscaping. Should be dark and crumbly.
- Screened Topsoil - Premium topsoil filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris. Best for fine gardening.
- Garden Mix - Blend of topsoil, compost, and amendments. Ideal for vegetable gardens and flower beds.
- Sand - For drainage, leveling pavers, and mixing with soil. Play sand vs. construction sand matters.
- Gravel - Crushed stone for driveways, drainage, and base material. Sizes from pea gravel to 3/4" stone.
- Mulch - Wood chips or bark for landscaping beds. Suppresses weeds and retains moisture.
- Compost - Organic matter for soil amendment. Improves soil structure and adds nutrients.
Step 2: Select Your Area Shape
Our calculator supports multiple shapes to match your project area:
- Rectangle/Square - Most common for garden beds, patios, and standard areas
- Circle - For round flower beds, tree wells, and fire pit areas
- Triangle - Corner areas and angled sections
- Irregular - Enter total square footage if you've already measured a complex shape
Step 3: Enter Dimensions
Measure your area in feet for length and width. Enter depth in inches - this is the most common source of calculation errors. Remember:
- Lawns: 2-4 inches of topsoil for new grass
- Garden Beds: 4-6 inches minimum, 8-12 inches for raised beds
- Fill Projects: Varies by depth needed, account for settling
- Mulch: 2-4 inches for weed control and moisture retention
Understanding Compaction Factor
When you dump loose material, it settles and compacts over time - especially fill dirt and gravel. The compaction factor adds extra material to compensate:
- 10-15% - Standard for most landscaping projects
- 20-25% - Fill dirt and foundation backfill
- 5-10% - Mulch and compost (minimal settling)
Pro Tip: It's always better to have slightly too much material than to run short mid-project. Most suppliers won't accept returns of bulk materials.