Question 1

How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?

Accepted Answer

The published construction chart lists dry loose earth at 1,890 lb per cubic yard, damp loose at 2,106, and damp packed at 2,592; a government table lists soil at 2,025–2,106 lb. Call it roughly 1 ton loose and up to 1.3 tons packed and damp.

Question 2

Why does packed dirt take more material than the hole's volume?

Accepted Answer

Because delivered dirt is loose and settles or gets compacted. Using the chart figures — 1,890 lb/yd³ loose against 2,592 lb/yd³ packed — the same earth occupies about 27% less volume once packed, so filling one packed cubic yard takes roughly 1.35 loose yards. Order extra accordingly.

Question 3

What is fill dirt exactly?

Accepted Answer

Subsoil — earth from below the organic top layer — sold to raise grade, fill holes, and build up ground. Unlike topsoil it carries no promise of organic matter or screening, which is why it's cheaper and why you finish with topsoil where anything needs to grow.

Question 4

How many cubic yards do I need to fill an area?

Accepted Answer

Length × width in feet × depth in feet, divided by 27 — the calculator handles the unit conversion. A 20 × 20 ft area raised 6 inches is 400 × 0.5 = 200 ft³ = 7.4 yd³ before any compaction allowance.

Question 5

Is dirt sold by the yard or by the ton?

Accepted Answer

Both. Your project defines volume, so calculate yards first; if quoted per ton, convert with the weight range and lean toward the heavier (wetter) end so the delivered volume is enough.

State	lb per yd³	tons per yd³
Dry, loose	1,890	0.95
Damp, loose	2,106	1.05
Damp, packed	2,592	1.30

Fill dirt calculator

Loose vs packed — the allowance that matters

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