Dirt calculator for Oregon
Calculate fill dirt in cubic yards and tons for grading work, holes, and low areas, with settlement included in the estimate.
Enter your project dimensions
Loose fill can settle 10 to 15% in height. Because filling only to the measured excavation may leave the surface an inch or two low after heavy rain, this calculator keeps a 10% settling allowance on. Dry fill dirt weighs about 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or 1.2 tons, and is ordered in yard quantities. It is not intended for planting areas, so use the separate topsoil calculator for material that supports growth.
How to measure a fill job
- For a broad area, multiply the length and width in feet by the average raise depth. On uneven low ground, check the deep end and shallow edge, then use the midpoint.
- Measure the empty space in feet: length, width, and depth, then multiply them.
- For yards, divide cubic feet by 27. For tons, multiply by 1.2, and keep the settling allowance selected.
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 yard amounts
| 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 uses and limits
Fill dirt comes from subsoil, the mineral layer beneath living topsoil, with rock and debris screened out. Its low organic content matters because organic material breaks down and settles, while structural fill needs to hold its grade. Use it for grading, filling holes, trench backfill, and berms. For grass or vegetables, cover the fill with 4 to 6 inches of topsoil. Reserve topsoil for the growing surface and use fill underneath.
Plan for settlement when ordering
Settlement is a common reason a hole needs more material later. Place fill in 6 to 8 inch lifts and compact every lift. If compaction equipment is not available, soak each layer well and allow it to settle before adding the next. For lawn repairs, leave the finish about a half-inch proud so it settles even with the lawn. Deep fill below slabs or footings needs thinner lifts, equipment, and the compaction requirements set by an engineer. Keep wood and other organic material out of fill, since buried debris can decay into a sinkhole after five years.
How rain affects fill orders
Rain changes fill weight, not the volume needed, so it does not alter your order quantity. It can delay the work. Wet fill is hard to compact and makes wheelbarrow work unpleasant, especially in Willamette Valley winter clay, so plan delivery for a dry period. A raised pile sheds much of the rain, but cover it ahead of storms to get spreading sooner.
Fill dirt answers for project work
How many yards of dirt are needed?
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How much dirt fills a hole?
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Screened fill dirt for backfill and grading, delivered across Oregon.
