How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?

Fill dirt projects usually start from a grading problem: a low spot, an uneven yard, or a hole left by removed landscaping. Measure the area and the average depth you need to fill — for uneven ground, take a few depth readings across the area and average them rather than measuring one spot.

Fill dirt compacts significantly after it's placed and watered — often 10–20% — so many contractors order extra and expect the final grade to settle over the following weeks rather than trying to perfectly dial in the exact volume up front.

Use the Dirt Calculator for backfill and grading, or the Soil Yard Calculator when you're working with garden or planting soil specifically.