Dirt Cubic Yard Calculator

Calculate exactly how much soil, topsoil, or fill dirt you need for your landscaping project.

function calculateDirt() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dirt_length').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dirt_width').value); var depthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dirt_depth').value); var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dirt_price').value); var resultBox = document.getElementById('dirt_result_box'); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depthInches) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depthInches 0) { var totalCost = cubicYards * price; document.getElementById('res_cost').innerHTML = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('cost_display').style.display = 'block'; } else { document.getElementById('cost_display').style.display = 'none'; } resultBox.style.display = 'block'; resultBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); }

How to Calculate Cubic Yards of Dirt

Whether you are leveling a lawn, filling a raised garden bed, or prepping a base for a shed, knowing exactly how much dirt to order is crucial. Ordering too little leads to extra delivery fees, while ordering too much leaves you with a massive pile of unwanted soil in your driveway.

The Dirt Calculation Formula

Calculating volume for landscaping materials follows a standard mathematical formula. Since most people measure their area in feet but determine depth in inches, the formula requires a unit conversion:

1. Step 1: Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) = Square Footage.
2. Step 2: Convert Depth from inches to feet (Depth ÷ 12).
3. Step 3: Multiply Square Footage × Depth in Feet = Total Cubic Feet.
4. Step 4: Divide Total Cubic Feet by 27 = Total Cubic Yards.

Example Calculation

Imagine you have a garden bed that is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you want to fill it with 6 inches of topsoil.

• Area: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft
• Depth in Feet: 6 inches ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
• Cubic Feet: 200 sq ft × 0.5 ft = 100 cu ft
• Cubic Yards: 100 ÷ 27 = 3.70 Cubic Yards

Common Projects Depth Guide

Project Type	Recommended Depth
Reseeding a Lawn	1 – 2 Inches
New Flower Beds	6 – 12 Inches
Raised Vegetable Gardens	12 – 18 Inches
Filling Deep Holes	Varies (Use Fill Dirt)

Why You Should Order 10% Extra

Dirt is not a solid object; it contains air pockets. When you spread dirt and walk on it, or when it rains, the soil "settles" or undergoes compaction. For most loose materials like topsoil or mulch, we recommend adding a 10% buffer to your final calculation to ensure you don't run short at the end of the project.

Topsoil vs. Fill Dirt

When using this calculator, consider the type of dirt you need:

• Topsoil: Nutrient-rich soil used for the top 2-6 inches of a garden or lawn where plants will grow.
• Fill Dirt: Subsoil that lacks organic matter. It is cheaper and used for structural purposes, such as filling deep holes or raising the grade of a yard.
• Garden Mix: A blend of topsoil, compost, and sand designed for immediate planting in raised beds.