Dirt calculator for Alaska
Plan fill dirt quantities for low areas, excavations, and grading in cubic yards or tons, including an allowance for settlement.
Enter your project dimensions
Expect loose fill dirt to settle by 10 to 15% in depth. If you order only enough for the measured hole, the surface can end up an inch or two low after heavy rain. For that reason, this calculator starts with a 10% settlement allowance selected. Dry fill dirt has a weight of about 2,400 lb per cubic yard (1.2 tons), and you purchase it by the yard. It is not intended for growing plants. Use the separate topsoil calculator for that layer.
How to measure fill work
- Measure the length and width in feet, then multiply by the average height needed. For an uneven low area, check the deep side and the shallow side, then use the middle measurement.
- For a trench or hole, measure the empty space in feet and multiply length by width by depth.
- For yards, take cubic feet and divide by 27. For tons, multiply by 1.2. Leave the settling allowance turned on.
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 |
Fill dirt basics and when not to use it
Fill dirt comes from the mineral subsoil beneath the active topsoil layer and is screened for rock and debris. It contains little organic material by design. Since organic matter breaks down and settles, structural fill with less of it is less likely to lose height. Use fill dirt for changing grade, filling holes, backfilling trenches, and building berms. Where grass or vegetables will grow, place 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over the fill. Reserve topsoil for the surface layer instead of the structural layer below.
Plan for settling when you order
A follow-up dirt delivery for the same hole often comes down to settling. Place material in 6 to 8 inch lifts and compact every lift. At minimum, soak each layer and give it time to consolidate. Set lawn repairs about a half-inch high so they settle flush. Structural fill beneath slabs or footings needs an engineer's compaction specification, thinner lifts, and equipment. Keep organic debris out of fill, since buried wood can later create a sinkhole after five years.
How wet conditions affect dirt orders
Wet weather makes fill heavier without changing the amount you need to order. It can change when you work. Saturated material smears instead of packing, and moving it by wheelbarrow is difficult, so plan delivery for dry conditions. Keep the pile on high ground to shed rain, and cover it when storms are expected so it can be spread sooner.
Fill dirt answers for project planning
How many yards of dirt are needed?
What does a yard of fill dirt weigh?
What does fill dirt mean?
How does fill dirt differ from topsoil?
How much dirt is needed for a hole?
Where do I get fill dirt?
How many yards fit in a dump truck?
Should fill dirt be compacted?
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Fill dirt for grading and backfill, delivered throughout Alaska.
