Dirt calculator for West Virginia
Calculate fill dirt in cubic yards and tons for low areas, holes, and grading, including an allowance for settling.
Enter your project dimensions
Plan on loose fill settling by 10 to 15% in depth. Ordering only the measured volume can leave the surface an inch or two low after the first hard rain, so the calculator starts with a 10% settling allowance. Dry fill dirt is about 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or 1.2 tons, and is sold by the yard. It is the least expensive material on this site. For planting, use topsoil instead, using its separate calculator.
How to measure a fill area
- Measure the area by multiplying length and width in feet, then multiply by the average amount it needs raised. For an uneven low spot, find the deepest point and shallow edge, then use the midpoint.
- Measure a hole or trench by multiplying its length, width, and depth in feet.
- To convert cubic feet to yards, divide by 27; for tons, multiply by 1.2. Keep the settling allowance selected.
Tons = cubic yards × 1.2 · +10% for settling is on by default
Coverage and material 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 projects 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 |
About fill dirt and when not to use it
Fill dirt is the mineral subsoil beneath the active topsoil, screened free of rock and debris. It contains little organic matter by design, since organic material breaks down and settles. Use it for berms, trench backfill, filling holes, and changing grade. For grass or vegetables, cover the fill with 4 to 6 inches of topsoil rather than using topsoil for the structural layer below.
Plan for settling when you order
For the same hole, plan for settlement so you do not come up short. Install fill in layers 6 to 8 inches deep, compacting each layer, or at least soak it well and give it time to settle. For lawn repairs, finish about a half-inch above the surrounding ground so it can settle level. Structural fill beneath slabs or footings needs an engineer's specified compaction method, thinner lifts, and equipment. Keep wood and other organic material out of fill, since buried debris can break down and leave a sinkhole after five years.
How rain affects a dirt order
Rain makes dirt heavier without increasing the volume needed, so the order amount stays the same. It can affect timing, though. Waterlogged fill smears rather than compacts, and handling it by wheelbarrow is difficult, so schedule delivery during a dry spell. A pile sheds much of the rain when it is kept high, but cover it when storms approach to get back to spreading it days sooner.
Common fill dirt project questions
How many yards of fill do I need?
What does one yard of fill dirt weigh?
What does fill dirt mean?
How does fill dirt differ from topsoil?
How much fill is needed for a hole?
Where do I get fill dirt?
How many yards fit in a dump truck?
Should fill dirt be compacted?
Other calculators
Fill dirt by the yard, with free delivery to your gate.
Screened fill dirt for backfill and grading, delivered free across West Virginia.
