ConstructionInstant Tool
Dirt & Topsoil Calculator
Calculate cubic yards and tons of fill dirt, screened topsoil, and garden compost.
ft
Please enter length
ft
Please enter width
in
Please enter depth
$
How Dirt & Topsoil Calculator Works
Cubic Yards = Length in feet × Width in feet × Depth in inches / 324To find cubic yards of soil or dirt, multiply length in feet by width in feet to obtain surface area, then multiply by depth in inches and divide by 324. To calculate total weight in tons, multiply total cubic yards by the material density factor, typically 1.1 tons per cubic yard for screened topsoil and 1.25 tons for heavy fill dirt.
Variable Breakdown
L
Length in feetLength of the area in feet
W
Width in feetWidth of the area in feet
D
Depth in inchesDesired depth of dirt in inches
Y
Cubic YardsTotal bulk soil volume in cubic yards
Example Calculation
Flower Bed Topsoil Example
A gardener needs 4 inches of screened topsoil for a raised garden bed measuring 24 feet long by 10 feet wide.
- Multiply 24 feet length by 10 feet width to get 240 square feet
- Multiply 240 square feet by 4 inches depth to get 960
- Divide 960 by 324 to get 2.96 cubic yards
- Multiply 2.96 yards by 1.1 density factor to calculate 3.26 tons of screened topsoil
Result:2.96 Cubic Yards or 3.26 Tons
Soil Material Density and Coverage Chart
| Material Type | Weight per Cubic Yard | Coverage at 3 Inches | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screened Topsoil | 1.10 tons | 108 square feet | Lawns and garden beds |
| Heavy Fill Dirt | 1.25 tons | 108 square feet | Grading and hole backfill |
| Garden Compost Blend | 0.90 tons | 108 square feet | Vegetables and soil enrichment |
| Sandy Loam Mix | 1.15 tons | 108 square feet | Sod underlayment and leveling |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of dirt are in a dump truck?
A standard single axle dump truck carries approximately 5 to 7 cubic yards of dirt, while a full tri-axle dump truck carries 10 to 14 cubic yards.
How much does one cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
One cubic yard of dry screened topsoil weighs approximately 2000 to 2200 pounds or 1.0 to 1.1 tons. Wet topsoil can weigh up to 2600 pounds or 1.3 tons.
How many bags of soil make one cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Therefore, you need 27 bags of 1 cubic foot soil or 13.5 bags of 2 cubic foot soil to equal one cubic yard.
What is the difference between topsoil and fill dirt?
Topsoil is nutrient-rich organic surface soil ideal for plants and grass. Fill dirt is subsoil free of organic matter that packs tightly for grading, foundations, and filling deep holes.
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