How to use it
- Enter length in feet
- Enter width in feet
- Enter depth in inches
- Read cubic yards, cubic feet, and ton estimate
The Dirt Tonnage Calculator turns the three dimensions of your excavation—length, width and depth—into the exact volume you’ll move. It first converts the depth from inches to feet, multiplies length, width and depth to give cubic feet, then divides by 27 to show cubic yards, the standard unit for ordering bulk material. Finally it multiplies cubic yards by 1.3 to estimate the weight in US tons, so you know how much truck capacity you’ll need. Seeing all three results at once lets you compare supplier quotes, avoid over‑ordering, and plan site logistics with confidence. The tool updates instantly as you tweak numbers, so you can test different depths or area sizes without any guesswork. You can also copy the results to share with contractors or add a 10% waste factor for safe ordering.
Pro tips
- Add 5‑10% extra for compaction and spillage
- Round up to the nearest whole yard for easier ordering
- Check local supplier minimum loads before finalizing
- Verify depth conversion from inches to feet is correct
Real-life examples
- Planning a new garden bed and need exact dirt volume
- Estimating fill material for a driveway repair
- Calculating soil needed for a landscaping slope
Case study
Mike needed to fill a 12 ft × 8 ft patio with 4 in of sand. Using the calculator, he saw he required 1.2 cubic yards (≈1.6 tons). He ordered exactly that amount, avoided a $150 over‑order, and completed the job on schedule.