SOIL & LANDSCAPE TOOL 01

Dirt Calculator.

A little less guesswork. A better plan for your next project.
Turn your measurements into the dirt you need.

01 / YOUR MEASUREMENTS

Start with your space

02 / YOUR ESTIMATE

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Your next project,
measured out.

Enter your dimensions to see cubic yards,
then add buying details if you need them.

Simple math. Visible assumptions.
See the formula and sources behind your estimate. Confirm material properties and order increments with your supplier.

27 ft³

in one cubic yard

108 ft²

covered by 1 yd³ at 3 inches

2,000 lb

in one US short ton

FROM MEASUREMENT TO MATERIAL

A good estimate starts
with the right measurements.

Measure the area

Enter length and width, or switch to an area you already know. For an irregular space, break it into rectangles and calculate each section.

Find the average depth

Measure at several points when the ground is uneven. Enter the average thickness of the layer you plan to add—not just the deepest spot.

Plan your order

Use cubic yards for a bulk order, or add the volume printed on a bag. If you add an allowance, it stays separate from the measured volume.

THE WORKING, NOT JUST THE ANSWER

How to calculate yards of dirt

Multiply the area by the depth to get volume, then convert cubic feet to cubic yards. Length and width are in feet; depth is in inches.

CUBIC YARDS(length × width × depth) ÷ 324324 = 12 inches per foot × 27 cubic feet per cubic yard

For example: an 18 ft × 12 ft space at 6 inches deep needs 4 yd³ (108 ft³). Adding 10% gives 4.4 yd³. In 2 ft³ bags, that is 60 whole bags after rounding up.

How much does a yard cover?

1 yd³

Coverage of one cubic yard at different depths
Depth	Coverage
1 inch	324 ft²
2 inches	162 ft²
3 inches	108 ft²
4 inches	81 ft²
6 inches	54 ft²
12 inches	27 ft²

Geometric coverage only. These depths are examples, not recommended construction specifications.

A FEW DETAILS THAT MATTER

Before you order

Dirt is not one fixed weight.

Moisture, soil composition and compaction affect bulk density. That is why this calculator does not fill in a universal dirt density. Ask your supplier for a value that matches the material you are buying.

Allowance is not compaction.

Adding 15% means multiplying by 1.15. Replacing a 15% loss in volume would mean dividing by 0.85. Those are different calculations. This tool provides an extra allowance, not a compaction design.

Bag counts round up. Volume does not.

Whole bags are rounded up only after calculating the required volume. Bulk orders use the calculated volume; your supplier may have a minimum quantity or order increment.

FIELD NOTES

Common questions

How much dirt do I need?

Measure length, width and average depth. In US units, multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) and divide by 324 to get cubic yards. The calculator can also use an area you already know.

How many tons are in a cubic yard of dirt?

There is no single conversion for every soil. US short tons = cubic feet × bulk density in lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000. Enter the density of your supplied material in Buying options. A US short ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg.

Can I use this for topsoil or a raised bed?

You can calculate the geometric volume of a topsoil layer or bed with the same area-and-depth formula. Choosing the soil blend, drainage or suitable depth is a separate decision. Check any bag volume or density against that specific product.

Can I estimate the cost of dirt?

Yes. Add your supplier’s material price per cubic yard, cubic meter, US short ton or bag. Pricing by weight requires density; pricing by bag requires bag volume. The result excludes delivery, tax, labor and supplier minimums.

Does this work with metric measurements?

Yes. Choose Metric to enter length and width in meters, area in square meters, and depth in centimeters. Existing dimensions are converted when you switch units. Results include both cubic meters and cubic yards.

Where are my calculations saved?

Your inputs and up to 10 recent calculations are stored only in this browser. No account is needed. Use Recent to reopen or delete records. Clearing site data removes them. Browser storage is not a backup, and the calculator does not promise offline availability.

CHECK THE WORK

Sources & calculation notes

We use geometric formulas and published unit definitions. Material assumptions remain visible and editable.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Soil, compost and mulch volume, and converting volume to bag counts.
NIST — unit conversion factors
Length, volume, mass and the definition of a US short ton.
USDA NRCS — soil bulk density
Why soil structure and compaction affect density. Dry soil density is not a default for wet delivered material.