Fill Dirt Calculator

Estimate fill or backfill dirt in cubic yards: subtract pipe or footing volume, add a bulking allowance, then get loose yards to order, truckloads and cost.

Interactive calculator · Method FILL-DIRT-1.0 · Last reviewed: 2026-11-04

Calculate your scenario

In-place volume (cu ft) = length × width × depth − the volume of anything placed in the space.

Your inputs

Try an example

Length of area to fill (ft)

Width of area to fill (ft)

Fill depth (6 in = 0.5 ft) (ft)

Volume to subtract (pipe, footing, tank) (cu ft)

Compaction/bulking allowance (example 25%) (% extra loose dirt)

Truck capacity (example 10 yd³) (cu yd per load)

Price basis

Price (example $30 per yd³; your quote) ($ per yd³ or per load)

Default worked example. Edit the inputs to calculate your scenario.

Default worked example

Loose fill to order 13.89 cu yd

Loose fill in cubic meters 10.62 m³

Compacted in-place volume 11.11 cu yd (300 cu ft)

Truckloads 2 × 10 cu yd

Estimated cost $416.67

(300 − 0) cu ft ÷ 27 = 11.11 cu yd × (1 + 25%) = 13.89 loose cu yd ÷ 10 per load = 2 loads.

How to use the calculator

Measure the hole, trench or low area in feet, subtract the volume of any pipe, footing or tank going in, enter the allowance your supplier suggests, the truck size and the price per yard or per load.

What the result means

Filling 20 × 10 ft to 1.5 ft deep is 11.11 compacted cu yd; with a 25% allowance, order about 13.89 loose cu yd, which is 2 loads in a 10-yard truck.

Formula and units

In-place volume (cu ft) = length × width × depth − the volume of anything placed in the space. Compacted cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Loose yards to order = compacted yards × (1 + allowance %). Truckloads = loose yards ÷ truck capacity, rounded up. Cost = loose yards × price per yard, or whole loads × price per load.

Worked examples

20 × 10 ft area filled 1.5 ft deep: Length of area to fill: 20 ft; Width of area to fill: 10 ft; Fill depth (6 in = 0.5 ft): 1.5 ft; Volume to subtract (pipe, footing, tank): 0 cu ft; Compaction/bulking allowance (example 25%): 25 % extra loose dirt; Truck capacity (example 10 yd³): 10 cu yd per load; Price (example $30 per yd³; your quote): 30 $ per yd³ or per load; Price basis: yard.
Example result: Loose fill to order: 13.89 cu yd; Loose fill in cubic meters: 10.62 m³; Compacted in-place volume: 11.11 cu yd (300 cu ft); Truckloads: 2 × 10 cu yd; Estimated cost: $416.67.

60 ft pipe trench backfill priced per load: Length of area to fill: 60 ft; Width of area to fill: 2 ft; Fill depth (6 in = 0.5 ft): 3 ft; Volume to subtract (pipe, footing, tank): 47.1 cu ft; Compaction/bulking allowance (example 25%): 20 % extra loose dirt; Truck capacity (example 10 yd³): 12 cu yd per load; Price (example $30 per yd³; your quote): 250 $ per yd³ or per load; Price basis: load.
Example result: Loose fill to order: 13.91 cu yd; Loose fill in cubic meters: 10.63 m³; Compacted in-place volume: 11.59 cu yd (312.9 cu ft); Truckloads: 2 × 12 cu yd; Estimated cost: $500.00.

Limitations and common mistakes

The allowance is your own figure for how much loose dirt shrinks when placed and compacted; it varies with soil, moisture and method, so ask the supplier or contractor. Quantity only: this does not judge soil suitability, compaction requirements, drainage or foundation support. Prices are your quotes.

Ordering the measured hole volume exactly: loose dirt settles and compacts, so the delivered yards fill less space than they occupy in the truck.

Sources and assumptions

Method FILL-DIRT-1.0; last formula review 2026-11-04. Sources and their supported claims. Calculation methodology.