Dirt / fill calculator: cubic yards, and how many trucks.
Type length, width and depth. Get cubic yards and truckloads as you type.
Fill compacts: the 10% default covers some of it. Clay and wet dirt weigh more and compact more.
The dirt / fill formula
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Worked example for fill, backfill or grading: 60 ft × 40 ft at 12 in is 97.8 cubic yards and 107.6 tons with 10% extra, or 9 loads.
Dirt is sold and hauled by the cubic yard. It fluffs up when dug and shrinks when compacted, so order 15 to 25% more than the compacted volume for fill.
Dirt / fill by the square foot
| Depth | 100 sq ft (10 × 10) | 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 1.85 yd³ | 18.5 yd³ |
| 12 in | 3.70 yd³ | 37.0 yd³ |
| 18 in | 5.56 yd³ | 55.6 yd³ |
| 24 in | 7.41 yd³ | 74.1 yd³ |
No waste added in the table. Weight used: 2,200 lb per cubic yard. About 2,200 lb/yd³ for loose dry fill dirt; spec MAT3.js.
Save it to a job. Dozer checks it against what's laid.
Saved estimates go on the site. Dozer adds up the haul tickets and the paver's tons each night and tells you if you're running over.
- Estimate vs. tons laid, every night
- Haul tickets read from a photo
- Overrun flagged before the next order
- Every estimate kept with the job
LIVE 412 t laid · estimate 383 t Photo is an AI-generated stand-in, not a customer site.
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Questions crews ask
How do I calculate dirt / fill cubic yards?
Multiply length by width in feet, then by depth in inches divided by 12. That's cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add 10% for waste.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt / fill weigh?
About 2,200 lb, or 1.10 tons. Fill compacts: the 10% default covers some of it. Clay and wet dirt weigh more and compact more.
How many cubic yards for 60 by 40 ft at 12 in?
About 97.8 cubic yards with 10% extra, or 9 truckloads at 12 cubic yards a load.
How much dirt / fill fits in a dump truck?
This calculator uses 12 cubic yards a load. A tandem dump usually hauls 10 to 15 tons, a tri-axle 15 to 20 and a semi end-dump about 22 to 25; the legal weight on your roads decides.
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