How much does fill dirt cost?

Delivered in Florida, fill dirt starts from $28.07/yd³ on a full truck (about 18 yd³). For a small load, 2 yd³ from $391.48 delivered (fill dirt). Delivery is included, with no separate fee; the minimum order is 1 yd³, and smaller loads cost more per yd³. Calculate above, then enter your ZIP for your exact quote.

What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?

Fill dirt is structural subsoil — no organic matter, compacts well. Topsoil is the dark top layer with organic matter, where plants grow. Buy the right one for the right job.

How deep can I fill in one lift?

For uncompacted decorative fill, no limit but expect settling. For structural fill, 6–8 inch lifts compacted between each layer.

Can I fill against my foundation with dirt?

Carefully. Slope away at 5% minimum and never within 6 inches of siding. For wet sites, use clean stone backfill near the wall.

Will fill dirt compact?

Yes — 15–25% under traffic and watering. Order to your finished grade plus a buffer. The calculator builds it in.

How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?

A full load is about 18 cubic yards. Bigger orders go out in more than one load, and the calculator shows the truck count with your result. Delivery is in the price, so a full load is the cheapest per yard.

Do I need to be home for delivery?

Best if someone is there to show the driver the spot. Not required: ask for a photo of the drop. Dumped from the street or driveway. A backyard works if the entrance is wide enough. Off the public road, you take responsibility for any damage. It comes in one pile and isn’t spread. Delivery in 2–3 business days, on a weekday you choose.

Dirt calculator · cubic yards

Fill Dirt Calculator

How much fill dirt do you need? Measure each low spot or area and get the cubic yards.

1 · Material

2 · Two quick choices: depth, then size

2a · Pick a depth

Finish planting areas with 4″ of topsoil.

2b · Then measure your areas

Length × width in feet. Add as many areas as you need; we add them up.

LengthftWidthft

Recommended order

13 yd³

of Fill Dirt

covers 300 sq ft at 12″ · 1 dump truck

300 sq ft × 12 in ÷ 12 ÷ 27 = 11.11 yd³. Plus 15% for settling and spreading, rounded up to a whole yd³.

3 · Get your delivered quote

One cubic yard of fill dirt

= 27 cubic feet
covers 27 sq ft at 12″
weighs about 2500 lb
a full truck is about 18 yd³

Convert tons ↔ cubic yards →

About this material: Fill Dirt →

How much does a yard of fill dirt cover?

Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × the material’s density. The calculator then adds the buffer for compaction and spreading and rounds up. Tons use our catalog densities: fill sand 1.3 t/yd³.

Swipe the table sideways →

Material	Depth	Used for	Coverage	Per 100 sq ft
Fill Dirt	6″	One compacted 6″ lift.	54 sq ft per yd³	1.85 yd³
Fill Dirt	12″	Most low spots and grading. (typical)	27 sq ft per yd³	3.7 yd³
Fill Dirt	2 ft	Deep fill, placed in 6–8″ lifts.	14 sq ft per yd³	7.41 yd³
Fill Sand	6″	One compacted 6″ lift.	42 sq ft per ton	2.41 tons
Fill Sand	12″	Most low spots. (typical)	21 sq ft per ton	4.81 tons
Fill Sand	2 ft	Pool or deep backfill, in 6–8″ lifts.	10 sq ft per ton	9.63 tons

Before the buffer. Updated November 2026

How much fill dirt for common projects

Swipe the table sideways →

Project	Depth	Area	Estimate
Pool removal 16 ft × 32 ft × 5 ft	5 ft	512 sq ft	~95 cubic yards
Low-spot fill 500 sq ft	6″	500 sq ft	~9 cubic yards
Shed pad 12 ft × 16 ft	12″	192 sq ft	~7 cubic yards
Foundation backfill	varies	varies	request quote
Raise driveway 100 ft × 12 ft	8″	1,200 sq ft	~30 cubic yards

Before the buffer. Measure your own areas above for an order quantity.

Fill dirt or fill sand?

Delivered by dump truck. “From” prices are per yd³ on a full truck, delivery included; the second line is the smallest load.

Fill Dirt →Bulk fill for grading and low spots.From $28.07/yd³ on a full truck2 yd³ from $391.48 delivered

Fill Sand →Bulk sand for low spots and backfill.From $22.24/ton on a full truck2 tons from $540.12 delivered

Fill dirt mistakes to avoid

Confusing fill dirt with topsoil

Fill dirt is structural — sand and subsoil with no organic matter. Topsoil grows plants. Do not use fill where you want to plant, and do not pay topsoil prices for structural fill.

No lifts on deep fills

Dumping 3 feet of fill in one pile and walking away gives you a settling crater within a year. Build in 6–8 inch lifts and compact each one.

Filling against a foundation without drainage

Fill against a foundation wall traps water and pushes against the wall. Add a perimeter drain or use clean stone backfill instead.

Ignoring slope

Fill away from buildings at a 5% slope minimum for 10 feet. Flat fill against a wall is a basement leak waiting to happen.

Wrong material for pool removal

Pool fills need engineered fill (clean sand or sand-clay blend), compacted in lifts, with the bottom of the pool broken up first. Random fill dirt over a sealed pool shell will sink for decades.