Dirt calculator for Rhode Island
Estimate fill dirt by cubic yards or tons for grading, depressions, and excavations, including room for settlement.
Enter your project dimensions
Fill dirt can settle 10 to 15% after placement. Ordering only the measured hole volume can leave the surface an inch or two low after heavy rain, so this calculator leaves its 10% settling allowance selected. Dry fill dirt is about 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or 1.2 tons, and it is sold by the yard. Use topsoil for areas that will grow plants; use the separate topsoil calculator for that material.
How to measure a fill area
- For a rectangular area, multiply the feet of length by the feet of width and use the mean fill depth. On an irregular low area, note the deep end and the thin edge, then calculate from the midpoint.
- For a trench or excavation, multiply its length, width, and void depth, using feet for all measurements.
- Convert cubic feet to yards by dividing by 27, or to tons by multiplying by 1.2. Keep the settlement allowance enabled.
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 jobs 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 is mineral subsoil from beneath the active topsoil, with rock and debris screened out. It contains little organic matter, which helps structural fill stay level as material settles. Use it for filling holes, trench backfill, berms, and grade changes. Areas for grass or vegetables need 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over the fill rather than topsoil throughout the structural layer.
Plan for settlement before ordering
Fill often settles enough that the same excavation needs another load. Place it in 6-8 inch lifts and compact every lift. If compaction equipment is unavailable, soak each lift well and give it time to consolidate. For lawn work, finish about a half-inch above grade so it settles level. Fill below slabs or footings needs thinner lifts, equipment, and an engineer's compaction specification. Do not bury organic debris in fill. Wood can decay underground and leave a sinkhole after a five-year delay.
How wet weather affects fill orders
Rain changes fill weight, not the volume needed for an order. It can change the work schedule. Wet fill smears instead of compacting, and moving it by wheelbarrow gets difficult, so plan delivery for dry weather. A pile set high sheds much of the rain; cover it when storms approach to get spreading sooner.
Fill dirt answers for project planning
How many yards of dirt are needed?
What is the weight of a yard of fill dirt?
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?
Is compaction needed for fill dirt?
Other calculators
Low-cost material by the yard, delivered free to your gate.
Fill dirt for grading and backfill, screened and delivered across Rhode Island.
