Cubic Feet Calculator for Dirt

Dirt Volume Calculator

Enter the expected percentage of volume reduction due to compaction (e.g., 10-20% for loose soil).

Results:

Please enter values and click 'Calculate'.
function calculateDirtVolume() { var areaLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById('areaLength').value); var areaWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('areaWidth').value); var dirtDepth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dirtDepth').value); var compactionRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('compactionRate').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result'); resultDiv.style.color = '#dc3545'; // Default to error color resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#f8d7da'; // Default to error background if (isNaN(areaLength) || isNaN(areaWidth) || isNaN(dirtDepth) || areaLength <= 0 || areaWidth <= 0 || dirtDepth <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for Length, Width, and Depth."; return; } if (isNaN(compactionRate)) { compactionRate = 0; // Default to no compaction if not provided } else if (compactionRate = 100) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Compaction Rate must be between 0 and 99.99%."; return; } // Convert depth from inches to feet var dirtDepthFeet = dirtDepth / 12; // Calculate the desired compacted volume in cubic feet var desiredCubicFeet = areaLength * areaWidth * dirtDepthFeet; var finalCubicFeet; if (compactionRate > 0) { // If dirt compacts by X%, it means 1 unit of loose dirt becomes (1-X/100) units of compacted dirt. // So, to get 'desiredCubicFeet' of compacted dirt, we need to order: // desiredCubicFeet / (1 – compactionRate / 100) of loose dirt. var compactionFactor = 1 – (compactionRate / 100); finalCubicFeet = desiredCubicFeet / compactionFactor; } else { finalCubicFeet = desiredCubicFeet; } // Convert cubic feet to cubic yards (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet) var finalCubicYards = finalCubicFeet / 27; resultDiv.style.color = '#28a745'; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#e9f7ee'; resultDiv.innerHTML = "You will need approximately:" + "" + finalCubicFeet.toFixed(2) + " cubic feet of dirt" + "or about " + finalCubicYards.toFixed(2) + " cubic yards of dirt."; }

Understanding Your Dirt Needs: A Guide to Cubic Feet and Yards

Whether you're planning a new garden bed, leveling a yard, or undertaking a construction project, accurately calculating the amount of dirt you need is crucial. Ordering too little can cause delays and extra delivery fees, while ordering too much leads to wasted material and disposal costs. Our Dirt Volume Calculator helps you determine the precise quantity of soil, compost, or fill dirt required for your project in both cubic feet and cubic yards.

How to Use the Calculator

  1. Area Length (feet): Measure the length of the area you need to fill with dirt. Enter this value in feet.
  2. Area Width (feet): Measure the width of the area. Enter this value in feet.
  3. Desired Dirt Depth (inches): Determine how deep you want the dirt to be. This is typically measured in inches for landscaping projects.
  4. Compaction Rate (optional, %): Dirt, especially loose soil, will compact over time and with moisture. If you want to achieve a specific *final* depth after compaction, you'll need to order more loose dirt initially. A typical compaction rate for loose soil is between 10% and 20%. If you're unsure, 15% is a good estimate. Enter 0 if you don't need to account for compaction or are using a material that doesn't compact significantly.

Once you've entered these values, click "Calculate Dirt Needed" to see the total cubic feet and cubic yards required.

Why Compaction Matters

Compaction is a critical factor often overlooked. When you order a load of loose topsoil, it contains air pockets. As it settles, gets watered, or is walked/driven over, these air pockets are reduced, and the soil volume decreases. If you aim for a 6-inch final depth and don't account for compaction, you might end up with only 5 inches after the dirt settles. Our calculator helps you order enough material upfront to achieve your desired *compacted* depth.

Cubic Feet vs. Cubic Yards

Most smaller landscaping projects might be quoted in cubic feet, but when ordering larger quantities from a bulk supplier, dirt is almost always sold by the cubic yard. One cubic yard is equivalent to 27 cubic feet (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet). Our calculator provides both measurements for your convenience.

Practical Examples

  • Raised Garden Bed: You have a raised garden bed that is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and you want to fill it with 12 inches of soil. Assuming a 10% compaction rate for rich topsoil:
    • Length: 8 ft
    • Width: 4 ft
    • Depth: 12 inches
    • Compaction: 10%
    • Result: Approximately 35.56 cubic feet or 1.32 cubic yards.
  • Leveling a Small Area: You need to level an area 15 feet by 10 feet with an average depth of 3 inches of fill dirt. For fill dirt, a 20% compaction rate is reasonable:
    • Length: 15 ft
    • Width: 10 ft
    • Depth: 3 inches
    • Compaction: 20%
    • Result: Approximately 46.88 cubic feet or 1.74 cubic yards.

By using this calculator, you can confidently plan your project and ensure you have the right amount of dirt from the start, saving time, money, and effort.

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