Dirt Removal Calculator

Instantly calculate how many cubic yards, tons, and cubic feet of dirt you need to remove—free and immediate.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Instant results

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How to use it

  1. Enter length in feet.
  2. Enter width in feet.
  3. Enter depth in inches.
  4. Read cubic yards, tons and cubic feet results instantly.

What it does

The Dirt Removal Calculator converts the dimensions of a soil job into three useful measures: cubic yards, tons, and cubic feet. Knowing the volume helps you budget material removal, schedule equipment, and avoid surprise costs.

Why it matters

  • Cubic yards is the standard unit for ordering fill or disposal.
  • Tons tells you the weight, crucial for truck load limits (1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 US tons).
  • Cubic feet is handy for smaller projects or when comparing to room sizes.

How to read the results

The calculator first finds the cubic‑feet volume, then divides by 27 to get cubic yards, and finally multiplies by 1.3 to estimate tons. Results are shown with two‑decimal precision for easy quoting.

Pro tips

  • Add 10% extra volume for compaction and wind‑blown loss.
  • Round up to the nearest 0.5 yd³ when ordering to cover minor measurement errors.
  • Check local truck weight limits; 1 yd³ ≈ 1.3 tons.
  • Verify depth in inches before entering to avoid common conversion mistakes.

Real-life examples

  • A homeowner planning a backyard re‑grade needs to know how much dirt to haul away.
  • A contractor estimating fill for a new patio wants accurate weight for delivery quotes.
  • A landscaper calculating soil removal for a garden renovation to prevent over‑ordering.

Case study

Jane measured a 12 ft × 10 ft area with a 4‑inch depth, got 1.48 cubic yards and 1.92 tons, ordered that amount, and saved $200 by avoiding an over‑order.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert depth in inches to feet?
Divide the inch value by 12; the calculator does this automatically.
Why is the ton estimate not exact?
It uses the standard 1.3 US tons per cubic yard, which is an industry average.
Can I use the calculator for sand or gravel?
Yes, but adjust the weight per yard if your material differs from the 1.3 ton estimate.
Do I need to include the weight of equipment?
No, the calculator only estimates the weight of the soil itself.
Is the result rounded?
Results are shown to two decimal places for practical quoting.