How Much Is a Yard of Dirt?
Compare a known dirt quantity, ground coverage, and cost from your supplier quote.
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At a glance
How Much Is a Yard of Dirt?
A yard of dirt usually means one cubic yard, equal to 27 cubic feet. At 4 inches deep it covers 81 square feet. Its weight and price depend on the actual soil and quote.
Guides
What a yard of dirt looks like
One cubic yard can fit in a 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft cube, but a delivered pile can have many shapes. The same quantity spread evenly at 3 inches deep covers 108 square feet; at 4 inches it covers 81 square feet.
| Dirt quantity | Cubic feet | Coverage at 4 inches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | 27 ft³ | 81 ft² |
| 2 yd³ | 54 ft³ | 162 ft² |
| 3 yd³ | 81 ft³ | 243 ft² |
| 4 yd³ | 108 ft³ | 324 ft² |
| 5 yd³ | 135 ft³ | 405 ft² |
| 10 yd³ | 270 ft³ | 810 ft² |
| 12 yd³ | 324 ft³ | 972 ft² |
| 15 yd³ | 405 ft³ | 1,215 ft² |
| 18 yd³ | 486 ft³ | 1,458 ft² |
| 30 yd³ | 810 ft³ | 2,430 ft² |
| 50 yd³ | 1,350 ft³ | 4,050 ft² |
| 100 yd³ | 2,700 ft³ | 8,100 ft² |
Use the quantity control for other volumes. If you are trying to calculate how much dirt a project needs from dimensions, use the soil calculator instead.
Guides
What does a cubic yard of dirt cost?
There is no single current price that applies to every location and soil product. A quote can change with material quality, screening, blends, quantity, delivery distance, minimum orders, and other supplier terms. The illustrative examples below show how an entered price changes the total. The estimator uses an entered rate rather than assuming a national price.
Material cost = quoted price per yd³ × ordered cubic yards
Material plus delivery = material cost + entered delivery charge
Compare suppliers using the same product description and units. Ask whether the quote includes delivery, whether there is a minimum charge, whether tax is extra, and how a stated load or scoop is measured. Tax and fees not entered are not included in the tool.
Guides
Compare an illustrative dirt budget
The rates in this table are hypothetical inputs chosen to explain the calculation. They are not current supplier prices, a local price range, or a recommendation. Replace them with quotes for the same product, delivery address, quantity, and volume state.
| Illustrative rate per yd³ | 1 yd³ | 3 yd³ | 5 yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35 | $35 | $105 | $175 |
| $50 | $50 | $150 | $250 |
| $65 | $65 | $195 | $325 |
Illustrative order: 1 yd³ × $50 + $40 delivery = $90 before tax
Choose Try an example to load 1 cubic yard, a hypothetical $50 material rate, and $40 delivery. The result includes only the charges entered. It does not add sales tax, a fuel surcharge, or a minimum fee automatically.
Ask how a minimum charge is applied. For an illustrative $200 material minimum, 3 yards at $50 per yard total $150 before any minimum adjustment; 5 yards total $250. A supplier might use a minimum purchase, a minimum invoice, or a small order fee. Get that policy in the quote instead of assuming that buying extra material is required.
Guides
Topsoil, fill dirt, and growing blends
Fill dirt is used to occupy space or change grade. Topsoil and growing blends are selected for planting applications, where texture, organic matter, drainage, contaminants, and suitability can matter. A lower volume price does not automatically make one material suitable for the intended job.
Utah State University Extension’s topsoil guidance explains why soil quality and the potential cost of correcting poor material matter when purchasing. Ask what the product is, how it was prepared, and whether it suits your project.
Guides
Weight and transport
A cubic yard of soil has no universal weight. Moisture, material type, and compaction affect bulk density. Use a supplier’s density to estimate tons or pounds and check a vehicle’s available payload separately from its bed volume.
The comparison cube shows volume rather than a promised delivered pile size. A load can be limited by weight before its container is full. Loose delivered volume can also differ from finished compacted fill.
Guides
From a project measurement to an order
- Measure the project area and the depth that needs new material.
- Calculate the volume using the soil or fill calculator.
- Clarify loose, bank, or compacted state if the project and quote use different bases.
- Apply only an allowance or conversion ratio supported by the project or supplier.
- Compare the material, delivery, and other quoted charges on that same basis.
Common questions
Dirt quantity and cost questions, answered.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt cost?
There is no universal price per cubic yard. Obtain a current quote for the product, quantity, address, and delivery terms. For arithmetic only, a hypothetical $50 material rate plus $40 delivery makes a one yard order $90 before tax. The illustrative figures are not a supplier quote.
How much is 3 yards of dirt?
If yards means cubic yards, it is 81 cubic feet. At 4 inches deep it covers 243 square feet. Multiply 3 by your supplier’s price per cubic yard for material cost, then add the actual delivery and other quoted charges.
How much is 12 or 18 yards of dirt?
Twelve cubic yards is 324 cubic feet and covers 972 square feet at 4 inches. Eighteen cubic yards is 486 cubic feet and covers 1,458 square feet at that depth. Price and weight need separate inputs.
How many bags make one yard of dirt?
For 2 ft³ bags, one cubic yard is 13.5 bag portions, so a purchase needs 14 whole bags. For a bag labeled in US dry quarts, convert that stated volume to cubic feet before counting.
Is delivery included in the calculator’s quote?
Delivery is only included when you enter a delivery charge. The result labels material cost and material plus delivery separately. Charges not entered, including tax, are excluded.
Can I calculate cubic yards of soil from this guide?
This guide starts with a known yardage. To calculate the quantity from a bed’s length, width, or area and depth, use the soil calculator.
Check the basis