How to use it
- Enter length in feet.
- Enter width in feet.
- Enter depth in inches.
- Read cubic yards, tons, and cubic feet results.
What it does – The calculator turns the dimensions of a dirt project (length, width, depth) into three useful measures: cubic yards, cubic feet, and an approximate weight in tons. Why it matters – Contractors bill by the yard, truck capacity is limited by weight, and knowing both helps you order the right amount without waste. How to read the results – Cubic yards is the volume you’ll order; multiply by 1.3 to see the tons your delivery will weigh; cubic feet is useful for comparing to product specifications that list space in feet. You can use the tool for small garden beds or large excavation jobs. The conversion uses the standard 27 cubic feet per cubic yard, and the weight factor of 1.3 US tons per cubic yard reflects typical moist soil. Seeing both volume and weight lets you verify that your truck can handle the load and that your budget aligns with supplier pricing. The instant feedback also helps you experiment with different depths to find the most cost‑effective design.
Pro tips
- Add 5‑10% extra for compaction.
- Round up to the nearest half‑yard for ordering.
- Convert depth to feet (divide inches by 12) before mental checks.
- Double‑check units; mixing meters and feet skews the estimate.
Real-life examples
- Landscaping a new garden bed and need to order soil.
- Preparing a driveway base and must know material weight for truck load.
- Estimating fill for a backyard leveling project to budget costs.
Case study
Sam needed to fill a 12 ft × 8 ft area 6 in deep for a patio. Using the calculator he saw 4.4 cubic yards, about 5.7 tons, and ordered 5 yd³ of dirt, avoiding a costly over‑order.