Dirt vs. Fill Dirt vs. Topsoil — Which Do You Need?
Before you order, make sure you're buying the right product. The wrong choice costs money and causes problems.
| Type | What It Is | Best For | Cost per Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt | Subsoil, no organic matter, clay-heavy | Grading, raising elevation, backfill | $5 – $25 |
| Clean fill | Screened fill, no debris or contaminants | Building pads, structural fill | $10 – $30 |
| Topsoil | Nutrient-rich, organic surface soil | Lawns, gardens, planting | $20 – $55 |
| Garden soil | Topsoil + compost blend | Garden beds, containers | $30 – $60 |
Key distinction: Fill dirt doesn't settle as much as topsoil because it has no organic material to decompose. That's why builders use it for foundations, grading, and retaining walls. Use topsoil only where you want things to grow.
Need topsoil instead? Check our topsoil calculator guide.
The Dirt Formula
Or if your depth is in inches:
Example: Filling a low area, 30 × 20 ft, 8 inches deep
- Area: 600 sq ft
- 600 × 8 ÷ 324 = 14.81 cubic yards
- Add 20% compaction factor: 14.81 × 1.20 = 17.78 yards
- Order: 18 cubic yards
Always add 10-20% extra for fill dirt. Unlike mulch or gravel, fill dirt is meant to be compacted — it shrinks when you pack it down. Without the extra, you'll end up short.
The Compaction Factor (Don't Skip This)
This is where most people miscalculate. Loose fill dirt compacts by 10-20% when you tamp or roll it. If you need 10 cubic yards of compacted dirt, you should order 12 cubic yards of loose dirt.
| Soil Type | Compaction Rate | Order Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy fill | 10 – 15% | Order 10-15% extra |
| Clay fill | 15 – 25% | Order 20% extra |
| Mixed fill (sand + clay) | 10 – 20% | Order 15% extra |
| Topsoil (organic) | 15 – 20% | Order 15-20% extra |
Compaction is for fill dirt only. If you're building garden beds, you want the soil to stay loose so roots can grow. Only compact dirt that's being used for grading, foundations, or backfill.
Calculate Fill Dirt Instantly
Enter your dimensions and depth. The calculator includes the compaction factor.
Open Dirt Calculator →How Many Cubic Yards in a Dump Truck?
When you order dirt, it arrives by dump truck. Knowing the standard truck sizes helps you plan deliveries and figure out if you need one load or two.
| Truck Type | Capacity (Cubic Yards) | Weight Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup truck | 0.5 – 1 yd³ | 1,500 – 2,000 lbs |
| Small dump truck | 5 – 6 yd³ | 10,000 – 13,000 lbs |
| Standard dump truck | 10 – 12 yd³ | 20,000 – 26,000 lbs |
| Tandem axle dump truck | 12 – 16 yd³ | 26,000 – 34,000 lbs |
| Tri-axle dump truck | 16 – 18 yd³ | 40,000+ lbs |
| Transfer dump trailer | 24 – 30 yd³ | 50,000+ lbs |
So if you need 18 cubic yards, a standard dump truck (10-12 yd³) would need two trips. A tandem axle truck could handle it in one load. Ask your supplier what size truck they use — it affects the delivery fee.
How Much Does Dirt Weigh Per Yard?
Weight matters for two reasons: delivery costs and whether your vehicle can handle it.
| Dirt Type | Lbs per Cubic Yard | Tons per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Loose fill dirt (dry) | 2,000 – 2,400 | 1.0 – 1.2 |
| Compacted fill dirt | 2,400 – 2,800 | 1.2 – 1.4 |
| Fill dirt (wet) | 2,600 – 3,200 | 1.3 – 1.6 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 1,800 – 2,200 | 0.9 – 1.1 |
| Clay soil | 2,500 – 3,000 | 1.25 – 1.50 |
A quick rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard of dirt ≈ 1 ton. Wet or clay-heavy dirt can be closer to 1.3-1.5 tons per yard.
For precise weight conversions, use our cubic yards to tons calculator.
Construction sites often give away fill dirt for free — you just pay for hauling. Check local classifieds, construction company bulletin boards, or apps like "Fill Dirt Free" in your area. The quality varies, so ask what's in it before accepting.
Excavation: Calculating Dirt Removal
Working in reverse — digging out dirt instead of filling — uses the same formula. But there's a catch: excavated dirt expands by about 20-30% because it's no longer compacted.
If you dig out 10 cubic yards of compacted earth, you'll have 12-13 cubic yards of loose dirt to haul away. Keep this in mind when ordering dumpsters or dump truck pickups.
Get Your Exact Number
Free Dirt Calculator
Enter dimensions and depth. Get cubic yards with compaction factor built in.
Calculate Dirt Needed →Related Guides
- Topsoil Calculator — Depth guide for lawns and gardens
- How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need? — Master guide
- Cubic Yards to Tons — Weight conversion for all materials
- Square Feet to Cubic Yards — Area + depth to volume
- Dirt Cubic Yard Calculator
- Cubic Yard Calculator