Dirt calculator for Idaho
Estimate dirt for grade adjustments, excavations, and depressions in cubic yards and tons, with settlement factored in.
Enter your project dimensions
As loose fill settles, its height drops by 10-15%. If you order only for the measured hole, the surface can end up an inch or two short after the first heavy rain. For that reason, this calculator leaves its 10% settling allowance on. Dry fill dirt weighs about 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or 1.2 tons, and is sold by the yard. Use topsoil, covered in its separate calculator, for areas intended to grow plants.
Planning fill measurements
- For a surface area, multiply the length and width, measured in feet, by the average amount of added depth. Since a low area is uneven, record its deepest point and its outer shallow edge, then use the average.
- For trenches or holes, multiply the void's length, width, and depth, using feet for each measurement.
- Convert cubic feet by dividing by 27 to get yards or multiplying by 1.2 to get tons. Leave the settling allowance enabled.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.2 · +10% for settling is on by default
Coverage and weight
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Tons per yard |
|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt (dry) | ≈ 2,400 lb | 1.20 |
| Fill dirt (wet) | up to 3,000 lb | 1.50 |
| Topsoil, for comparison | ≈ 2,200 lb | 1.10 |
| Depth of fill | 1 cubic yard covers | 5 yards cover |
|---|---|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 405 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft | 135 sq ft |
Typical fill work and yardage
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raise a low lawn area | 20 x 20 ft | 4" | 4.9 yd³ | 5.9 tons |
| Level a settled depression | 15 x 15 ft, avg 6" | 6" | 4.2 yd³ | 5 tons |
| Backfill a utility trench | 25 ft x 2 ft | 18" | 2.8 yd³ | 3.3 tons |
| Build a landscape berm | 20 x 6 ft | 12" | 4.4 yd³ | 5.3 tons |
| Backfill along a foundation | 60 ft x 2 ft | 10" | 3.7 yd³ | 4.4 tons |
Fill dirt basics and unsuitable uses
Fill dirt is subsoil, the mineral layer below active topsoil. Its low organic content matters because organic material breaks down and settles, while structural fill with less organic matter holds grade more consistently. Use fill dirt for grade adjustments, berms, trench backfill, and filling holes. Where grass or vegetables will grow, place 4-6 inches of topsoil above the fill rather than using topsoil for the structural layer.
Addressing settling when you order
Settlement commonly explains why a hole needs another load of dirt. Install material in 6-8 inch lifts, compacting each lift; if compaction equipment is unavailable, soak each layer and allow it to settle. For lawn work, finish about a half-inch above surrounding grade so the surface can settle level. Fill beneath slabs and footings needs an engineer's compaction spec, equipment, and thinner lifts. Exclude wood and other organic debris from fill, as decaying buried material can form a sinkhole on a five-year delay.
How wet conditions affect fill orders
Moisture changes the weight of fill, not the amount required, though it can affect the work plan. Wet material smears rather than compacts, and moving it by wheelbarrow is difficult, so arrange delivery for dry conditions. A pile placed high drains off much of the rain, but cover it ahead of storms to begin spreading sooner.
Questions from fill projects
Calculating the fill dirt amount
Weight of a cubic yard of fill dirt
Fill dirt definition
How do fill dirt and topsoil differ?
Finding the volume of a hole
Buying fill dirt
Dump truck fill capacity
Compacting fill dirt
More calculators
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Fill dirt for backfill and grading, delivered throughout Idaho.
