How to use it
- Enter length in feet.
- Enter width in feet.
- Enter depth in inches.
- Read cubic yards, cubic feet, and ton estimate.
What it does – The Dirt Yardage Calculator takes the length, width, and depth of the area you plan to fill and instantly returns three useful figures: total cubic feet, cubic yards, and an approximate tonnage. Why it matters – Knowing cubic yards helps you order the right amount of soil, while cubic feet is handy for smaller jobs or comparing material specs. The ton estimate uses the industry‑standard 1.3 US tons per cubic yard, so you can budget freight or disposal costs accurately. How to read the results – Cubic feet is the raw volume, cubic yards is cubic feet divided by 27, and tons is cubic yards multiplied by 1.3. The calculator automatically converts the depth you enter in inches to feet before performing the volume math. Results show two decimal places for easy reading. For uneven sites, calculate each section separately and add them together. Add a small extra percentage for compaction to avoid shortfalls.
Pro tips
- Add 5‑10% extra volume for compaction and settlement.
- Round up to the nearest half‑yard for ordering convenience.
- Compare multiple supplier quotes using the ton figure for freight costs.
- Double‑check depth conversion if you work in inches versus feet.
Real-life examples
- A homeowner preparing a new garden bed wants to know how much topsoil to order.
- A contractor estimating fill material for a driveway repair needs cubic yards and tonnage for delivery quotes.
- A landscaper calculating mulch volume for a sloped area to prevent ordering too little.
Case study
Jane needed to fill a 12 ft × 8 ft area 6 in deep for a patio. The calculator showed 1.78 yd³ and 2.3 tons, so she ordered 2 tons of soil, avoiding a costly over‑order and finishing the project on schedule.