A dirt calculator helps you turn measurements into a clear order so you get the right amount of soil, topsoil, or fill dirt on the first try. Measure the space, pick a depth, compute volume, convert to cubic yards, then add a buffer for settling. Most projects land between 1 to 12 inches of coverage depending on the goal.
What a Dirt Calculator or Soil Calculator Does and When to Use It
A dirt calculator is a quick way to estimate how much soil you need using your area’s length, width, and depth. You enter dimensions, choose a depth, and the calculator returns the volume in cubic yards, plus helpful conversions like tons or bag counts. It’s used for lawns, garden beds, raised beds, grading, and backfilling along patios or retaining walls. Getting this right saves time, trims waste, and keeps budgets in line by preventing shortfalls and second delivery fees. Most people learn fast that “eyeballing” soil volume rarely works; consistent math does.
Here’s the thing. Soil is sold mostly by the cubic yard in the US, and one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. Tools that compute volume and convert units spare you from manual mistakes and help with apples-to-apples supplier quotes. Many calculators also estimate weight ranges based on density so you can check truck capacities or slab load limits before delivery.
Step by Step Dirt Calculator Instructions
Measure length width and depth
Grab a tape measure and note length and width in feet. Decide on a realistic depth based on the project. For lawns, topdressing often uses 0.5 to 1 inch. Sod usually needs 4 to 6 inches of prepared topsoil. New garden beds often use 3 to 6 inches, while raised beds can run much deeper. These ranges align with common horticultural guidance used by reputable calculators and garden resources. Keep measurements in the same unit for clean math.
Split irregular areas into simple shapes
Most yards aren’t perfect rectangles. Break curves into rectangles and circles, then total each section. For circles, measure diameter edge to edge. This approach mirrors how established calculators structure input fields and prevents overestimation from odd corners. A quick micro-scenario: a kidney-shaped bed becomes two rectangles and a small circle. You measure, calculate each piece, then add them for a precise cubic yard total. No guesswork, no surprises.
Add extra volume for compaction and settling
Soil settles, especially after watering and a few weeks of foot traffic. Add 10 to 15 percent as a buffer. Some suppliers even show a “+15% compression” line item to reflect this reality for fill dirt and topsoil alike . If you’re filling low spots, that cushion prevents thin patches after the first rain.
Unit Conversions and Formulas for Soil and Topsoil
Square feet to cubic yards conversion
Start with area in square feet. Multiply by depth in feet to get cubic feet. Then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Example. A 12 by 20 foot bed at 3 inches deep. Area is 240 square feet. Depth is 3 inches, which is 0.25 feet. Volume equals 240 times 0.25, or 60 cubic feet. 60 divided by 27 is about 2.22 cubic yards. Most online tools follow this exact sequence with guardrails for inches, feet, and meters.
Convert cubic yards to tons
Weight depends on moisture and material. A practical planning range for typical dirt is about 1.1 to 1.25 tons per cubic yard when dry to moderately moist. Many suppliers use around 1.2 tons per yard as a working average. So 20 cubic yards often comes out near 24 tons, though wetter or rocky material will weigh more . Always verify density with your supplier if the truck limit matters.
Calculate circular beds using pi
For a circle, area equals pi times radius squared. Convert inches to feet for depth. Then volume in cubic feet divided by 27 gives cubic yards. Example. A circular bed with a 10 foot diameter and 4 inches of soil. Radius is 5 feet, so area equals 3.1416 times 25, which is about 78.54 square feet. Depth is 0.333 feet. Volume equals 26.18 cubic feet. That’s about 0.97 cubic yards. Round up to 1.1 yards to cover settling.
Soil Coverage and Depth Recommendations
Coverage per cubic yard at common depths
Coverage depends on how thick you spread the material. One cubic yard covers approximately 324 square feet at 1 inch, 162 square feet at 2 inches, 108 square feet at 3 inches, 81 square feet at 4 inches, and 54 square feet at 6 inches. These benchmarks help sanity check calculator outputs before ordering.
Recommended depths for lawns gardens and raised beds
Depth targets guide healthy growth and practical budgets. Common ranges in gardening references. Lawn topdressing 0.5 to 1 inch. New seed or sod 4 to 6 inches of enriched topsoil. Garden refresh 2 to 4 inches. Raised beds can run 12 to 16 inches or more, depending on crops and bed height. People often say, “Plants don’t thrive in thin soil,” which rings true after the first hot week of summer.
Choose topsoil versus fill dirt
Topsoil is screened, usually richer and better for planting. Fill dirt is cheaper and used to build grade or fill large voids. A common approach is to use fill dirt for bulk lift, then cap with enriched topsoil for the growing layer. Use compost as an amendment within the top few inches when establishing beds or prepping for sod. Several mainstream calculators and guides note that screened topsoil commands higher prices but pays off in predictability and growth.
Budgeting Ordering and Delivery Logistics
Typical cost factors per cubic yard in the US
As of 2025, broad price ranges by material in the US look like this. Fill dirt runs about 5 to 30 dollars per cubic yard. Standard topsoil often lands near 12 to 55 dollars. Screened premium mixes run 30 to 60 dollars or higher. Compost-enriched blends can reach 40 to 75 dollars plus, with specialty mixes higher still. Delivery is typically an added 50 to 150 dollars per trip up to roughly 10 to 15 yards, depending on distance and supplier policies. Regional swings are real, so local quotes matter.
How many cubic yards in a dump truck
Most local single-axle deliveries range around 8 to 12 cubic yards. Standard dump trucks often carry about 10 cubic yards. Larger tandems can haul more, but access, site limits, and weight rules decide what actually shows up. Always pair a volume estimate with a weight estimate to keep within truck and driveway limits. Suppliers commonly publish density guidance around 1.2 tons per yard for baseline planning.
Scheduling delivery site access and when to ask an expert
Schedule delivery for a dry window if possible. Flag tight gates, low limbs, and soft ground. Lay down plywood if the path seems spongy. Mark the dump spot clearly. Two quick calls save headaches. Call the supplier for density and truck capacity. Call a local landscaper if the grade is complex or drainage is questionable. Projects run smoother when inputs are measured, density is confirmed, and the dirt calculator output is rounded up modestly for compaction.
FAQs
How do you calculate how much dirt you need?
Measure length and width in feet. Pick a depth and convert it to feet. Multiply to get cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add 10 to 15 percent for settling. Cross-check against coverage benchmarks like 108 square feet per yard at 3 inches .
How much will 1 yd of dirt cover?
About 324 square feet at 1 inch, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches, 81 at 4 inches, and 54 at 6 inches of depth. These figures come from converting 27 cubic feet over a specified thickness .
How many tons is 20 yards of dirt?
Using an average of roughly 1.2 tons per cubic yard, 20 yards is about 24 tons. Actual weight depends on moisture and composition, so check supplier density for precise planning .
How do you estimate dirt removal costs?
Estimate volume in cubic yards, determine soil type and moisture, assess access limits, and include disposal fees and permits if needed. Typical removal pricing in the US runs about 140 to 230 dollars per cubic yard and about 1,400 to 2,300 dollars per 10 yard truckload, with location and soil condition pushing totals up or down .