Topsoil and Fill Dirt Calculator
Estimate compacted and delivered cubic yards, tons, truckloads, and editable material cost for multiple soil or fill zones.
How to use the topsoil & fill calculator
- Measure the actual project. Break irregular work into separate sections and record finished dimensions consistently.
- Enter the core measurements. The quick view focuses on project geometry; add or subtract sections where the calculator supports multiple areas.
- Review purchasing assumptions. Open Advanced inputs to replace example prices, waste, coverage, density, pack size, minimum order, or delivery assumptions with current project information.
- Calculate and verify. Review the formula, limitations, whole-unit rounding, product instructions, and supplier requirements before purchasing.
Key inputs covered: Material, Settlement/compaction allowance, Waste allowance, Delivered density, Truck capacity, Material example price, Delivery example price, Area operation, Shape, Length, and additional project-specific assumptions.
Result coverage: The topsoil & fill calculator reports 6 separate quantities so the primary estimate and its supporting purchase or planning values can be checked together.
How the estimate works
Net shape area × depth produces compacted volume; settlement and waste allowances increase delivered volume before editable density and truck capacity are applied.
A 10 yd³ compacted target with 15% settlement and 5% waste calls for about 12.08 delivered yd³.
Assumptions, rounding, and limitations
Dimensions are treated as finished measurements. Only deductions and allowances entered above are included. Decimal measurements display to two places; purchase quantities round up when a whole container or piece is required.
- Soil density, moisture, bulking, settlement, and truck payload vary substantially.
- Measure final grades and confirm material suitability, contamination testing, drainage, and compaction requirements.
- Supplier capacity and legal payload—not nominal truck size—control deliveries.
Sources and review
These references support unit conversions and selected planning assumptions. Product instructions and local requirements control the actual project.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09
Editorial process
BuildPlanCalc publishes the formula, editable assumptions, limitations, and supporting references so the estimate can be checked rather than treated as a black box. See the calculation and review methodology, or report a correction.
Frequently asked questions
Are the results exact?
No. Results are planning estimates based on the dimensions and assumptions entered. Confirm product coverage, site conditions, and ordering rules with the supplier.