How to use it
- Enter length in feet.
- Enter width in feet.
- Enter depth in inches.
- Click calculate to see cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons.
What it does – The calculator converts the dimensions of a dirt pile (length, width, depth) into three useful measures: cubic feet, cubic yards, and an approximate weight in US tons.
Why it matters – Knowing cubic yards tells you how many dump‑truck loads you need; cubic feet helps when ordering bagged soil; the ton estimate lets you compare material costs.
How to read the results – The cubic feet value is the raw volume. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards (the industry standard). Multiply cubic yards by 1.3 US tons to see the weight you’ll be moving.
Example: 10 ft × 5 ft × 12 in (1 ft) = 50 ft³ → 1.85 yd³ → ≈2.4 tons.
Pro tips
- Add about 10% extra volume for compaction and settling.
- Round up to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard when ordering material.
- Use the ton estimate to compare supplier quotes, not just volume.
- Convert depth from inches to feet before entering to avoid mistakes.
Real-life examples
- Planning a new garden bed and need to know how much topsoil to order.
- Estimating fill material for a backyard leveling project before hiring a contractor.
- Determining the weight of dirt for a DIY patio base to ensure proper equipment rental.
Case study
Sam needed 2 yards of soil for a raised garden. Using the calculator he entered 12 ft × 8 ft × 6 in, got 1.78 yd³ (≈2.3 tons) and ordered exactly that amount, avoiding a costly over‑order and a last‑minute trip to the store.