Dirt calculator for North Dakota
Plan fill dirt quantities in tons or cubic yards for grading, depressions, and holes, with settling included in the calculation.
Enter your project dimensions
As loose fill settles, its height can drop 10 to 15%. If you order only the volume measured in the hole, the first hard rain can leave the area an inch or two low. This calculator keeps a 10% settling allowance selected. Dry fill dirt weighs around 2,400 lb per cubic yard, or 1.2 tons, and is sold by the yard. Use topsoil instead for areas intended to grow, with a separate calculator available for that material.
How to measure fill work
- Measure the area's width and length in feet, then multiply by the average amount of fill needed. For an uneven low area, check its shallow edge and deepest point, then use the middle value.
- For a trench or hole, calculate the empty space by multiplying length, width, and depth in feet.
- For cubic yards, take cubic feet and divide by 27. To estimate tons, multiply by 1.2. Keep the settling 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 |
Yardage for common fill projects
| 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 comes from the mineral subsoil below the top layer of soil, with rock and debris screened out. It contains little organic material by design. Since organics break down and settle, structural fill holds its grade better without them. Use it for berms, trench backfill, holes, and grade adjustments. Put 4-6 inches of topsoil above fill wherever grass or vegetables will be grown, rather than using costly topsoil for the layer below.
Plan for settling when ordering
It is common for a filled hole to need more material later because the fill settles. Install it in 6-8 inch lifts, compacting every lift. If compaction is not an option, water each layer thoroughly and allow it to settle. Set lawn repair areas about a half-inch above surrounding grade so they settle level. Fill beneath slabs or footings needs an engineer's compaction specification, equipment, and thinner lifts. Do not include organic debris in fill, since buried wood can create a sinkhole after a five-year delay.
How wet weather affects fill
Moisture changes dirt's weight, not the volume required, so it does not alter your order amount. It can affect when you work. Wet fill will smear instead of compacting, making wheelbarrow work unpleasant, so schedule around a dry period. A pile placed high will shed much of the rain. Cover it before storms so it can be spread sooner.
Fill dirt project questions
How much dirt do I need in yards?
What is the weight of a yard of fill dirt?
Meaning of fill dirt
What sets fill dirt apart from topsoil?
How much dirt fills a hole?
Where to get fill dirt
Dump truck fill dirt capacity
Should fill dirt be compacted?
Other calculators
Fill dirt by the yard, with free delivery.
Fill dirt for grading and backfill, with delivery across North Dakota.
