How to use it
- Enter length in feet
- Enter width in feet
- Enter depth in inches
- Read cubic yards, tons and cubic feet results
Yardage For Dirt Calculator turns the dimensions of your excavation into three practical measures: cubic yards, tons (using 1.3 US tons per cubic yard) and cubic feet. Knowing cubic yards tells you how many dump‑truck loads you need; tons help you compare material costs, and cubic feet is useful for equipment sizing. Simply enter length and width in feet and depth in inches, and the tool instantly converts the depth to feet, multiplies the three dimensions, and divides by 27 to get yards. The result is rounded to two decimals for easy ordering. Accurate volume prevents over‑ordering, saves money, and keeps projects on schedule. Use the calculator before calling a supplier so you can request the exact amount of dirt and avoid surprise shortages.
Pro tips
- Add 10% waste allowance to cover compaction and spillage.
- Round up to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard for easier ordering.
- Order material by tons using the 1.3 tons per cubic yard factor.
- Double‑check that depth is entered in inches, not feet.
Real-life examples
- Planning a new garden bed and need to know how much topsoil to order.
- Filling a basement crawl space before installing flooring.
- Building a fire pit and must calculate the sand volume for proper drainage.
Case study
Laura needed about 6 cubic yards of fill for a raised patio. She entered 24 ft × 12 ft × 12 in, got 6 cubic yards and 7.8 tons, ordered that amount, and completed the patio without a single delivery shortfall.