Fill Dirt Cost Calculator

$171–$562 22.22 yd³ · $7–$23 per ton · free fill often available locally
BLS PPI — Construction Sand and Gravel Mining (PCU212321212321) — verified 2026-06-09, updates monthly
BLS OEWS — Construction Laborers (47-2061) — verified 2026-06-08, updates annual
Fill dirt compacts 10–20% after grading and settlement. Use 15% minimum; clay-heavy fill in wet climates compresses more.

Before you order fill dirt

Minimum order & delivery fees

Minimum: 5–10 cubic yards (most excavation contractors)
Short-load fee: $75–$150 small-load fee; some suppliers offer free fill dirt if you accept excavation-site leftovers

Fill dirt is not topsoil — it has no organic matter and is used only for structural fill (raising grade, filling holes). Free fill is common from nearby construction sites but can contain debris and rocks. Test your source before accepting a full load.

Source: FHWA Geotechnical Engineering: Embankment and Fill ↗

What to tell your supplier

What to check when the truck arrives

  1. Check for organics and debris

    Dig through the load before it spreads. Root material, wood chunks, concrete rubble, or visible trash = reject. Organic material compresses over time and causes foundation settlement. [FHWA Geotechnical Engineering]

  2. Inspect for contamination

    Petroleum odor, discolored soil (black or bright orange), or unusual sheen on water runoff = potential contamination. Do not use near a foundation or well. [EPA — Construction and Demolition Debris]

  3. Confirm moisture condition

    Fill compacts best near its optimum moisture content (typically 10–15% for clay-loam). Soaking-wet fill placed in lifts will not compact and will settle. Request a dry-to-moist load or plan to let it dry before compacting. [ASTM D698 — Proctor Compaction Test]

What else you'll need

Pro tips

Free fill dirt is often available locally

Excavation contractors, home builders, and pool installers generate surplus fill dirt on every project. Post a request on Craigslist free section, Facebook Marketplace, or register on dirtmatch.com. Clean excavation fill is typically available free within 20 miles of any active construction zone — you pay delivery only, dropping total cost to $150–$400 vs. $400–$1,200 purchased.

Compact in lifts, not all at once

Fill dirt placed in lifts over 8 inches deep compacts inadequately at the bottom, creating a weak zone that settles months later. Place fill in 6-inch lifts, compact each lift fully, then add the next. For every 6-inch lift, you typically need 1–2 passes with a plate compactor or jumping jack.

Cap planted areas after fill is compacted

Fill dirt is subsoil — it contains little to no organic matter and supports almost no plant growth. Any area that will be seeded or planted needs 4–6 inches of screened growing medium on top after the fill is compacted. Skipping this step produces bare clay where you expected a lawn — one of the costlier corrections in residential landscaping.

Delivery and trucking

Fill dirt delivery typically runs $150–$400 per load (8–12 yd³ per truck). That delivery fee is fixed regardless of load size, which means small orders ($100 of fill + $200 delivery) can see the delivery cost double or triple the material price. Combine orders with neighbors or contractors for the same delivery area to dilute the fee.

Compaction equipment

Fill dirt used for structural applications — foundation backfill, slope correction, sub-grade repair — must be compacted in 6–8 inch lifts. Renting a jumping jack compactor runs $80–$150/day; a smooth-drum roller for large areas is $250–$400/day. Uncompacted fill settles 10–15% over 6–24 months, causing cracks in slabs, driveways, or decks built on top.

Inspection for debris and contamination

Fill dirt is unscreened subsoil — it routinely contains concrete rubble, construction debris, roots, and organic matter that cause voids and uneven settlement. Request a visual inspection or sample before delivery. Clean fill from excavation sites (foundations, swimming pools) is the highest-quality source and is often available free from local excavation contractors.

Rookie mistakes

Ordering without grading the site first

Dumping fill dirt onto an ungraded, vegetated surface traps organic matter that decomposes and creates settlement voids. Strip all vegetation and roots from the area before filling, or the organic layer compresses over 12–24 months and causes uneven settling.

Ignoring drainage slope

Fill placed flat or sloped toward a foundation causes water to pool against the structure. Code typically requires a minimum 6-inch drop over the first 10 feet away from a foundation. Grade your fill to achieve this slope as you go — correcting drainage after compaction requires excavating and re-doing the work.

Example project costs

Raised Planting Bed (20×10, 12")

20×10 ft, 12 in deep

Fill dirt (~7.4 yd³, bottom 8")$59–$185
Topsoil cap (~3.7 yd³, top 4")$74–$204
Delivery (combined load)$150–$300
Total$283–$689

Low-Spot Correction (40×15, 6")

40×15 ft, 6 in deep

Fill dirt (~12.8 yd³)$102–$320
Delivery (1–2 loads)$150–$400
Topsoil finish (3.3 yd³, 3")$66–$182
Grass seed or sod (600 sq ft)$60–$300
Total$378–$1,202

Foundation Backfill (30×20, 24")

30×20 ft, 24 in deep

Fill dirt (~44.4 yd³)$355–$1,110
Delivery (3–4 loads)$450–$1,200
Compaction (jumping jack rental, 2 days)$160–$300
Topsoil finish layer (~5.6 yd³)$112–$308
Total$1,077–$2,918

Pool Fill-In (16×32, 60")

16×32 ft, 60 in deep (in-ground pool removal)

Fill dirt (~109 yd³ incl. compaction factor)$872–$2,725
Delivery (9–11 truckloads)$1,350–$3,300
Compaction equipment (3–5 days)$400–$750
Topsoil cap + seeding$200–$500
Total$2,822–$7,275

What NOT to build with fill dirt

Don't use fill dirt for: Garden beds or lawn areas without topsoil cap

Fill dirt is structural subsoil — low organic content, high clay, engineered to compact. Nothing grows in it. Cap any planted area with 4–6 inches of screened topsoil after fill is compacted, or plants fail in the first dry spell.

Don't use fill dirt for: Foundation backfill without compaction testing

Uncompacted fill against a foundation settles 15–20%, creating a trough that channels water directly to the wall. Compact in 6–8 inch lifts with a plate compactor and verify density before surface grading.

Don't use fill dirt for: Contaminated or unknown-source fill under any structure

Cheap fill from demolition sites may contain concrete rubble, asbestos, or organic waste that decomposes and creates voids. Request a sample before accepting delivery — contaminated fill removal costs 5–10× the original material.

Compaction equipment options

A plate compactor handles fill in flat, open areas and rents for $80–$120/day. A jumping jack (rammer compactor) is better for narrow trenches or tight foundation backfill and rents for $80–$150/day. Both are essential — uncompacted fill dirt settling under a structure is one of the top causes of slab and driveway cracks.

Free fill dirt sourcing

Post a "wanted: clean fill dirt" ad on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace under your county. General contractors, pool companies, and excavation firms have fill on virtually every project and post free surplus. Specify clean fill — no concrete, stumps, or organic debris mixed in. You typically provide a dump location; they haul and dump for free or nominal charge.

Spreading large volumes

For over 10 yd³ of fill, a skid steer with a bucket attachment ($350–$500/day) or a Bobcat compact track loader spreads material 5–10× faster than hand work. For tight residential yards, a mini excavator ($250–$400/day) gives more control without tearing up finished areas. Prices tracked via BLS PPI series PCU2123112123111 (bls.gov/ppi).
MaterialPrice / yd³Best useTypical depth
Mulch$22–$50Garden beds, moisture retention2–4"
Gravel Driveway$35–$65Driveways & paths4–6"
Sand$35–$60Base layers, sandboxes1–2"

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does fill dirt cost per yard?

Fill dirt runs $8–$25/yd³ for the material itself (source: BLS PPI PCU2123112123111, bls.gov/ppi). Delivery adds $150–$400 per load. Clean structural fill from quarries is at the $15–$25 end; screened fill from excavation surplus can be free with delivery only.

What is fill dirt used for?

Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise grade, correct low spots, backfill foundations and retaining walls, and create sub-base for driveways, slabs, or raised beds. It contains little organic matter and should be capped with a screened growing medium for any planted area. It is not a growing medium.

How many cubic yards of fill dirt do I need?

Multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27 = yd³. Add 15–20% for compaction. The calculator above handles this automatically. A 20×10 ft area filled 12 inches deep needs approximately 7.4 yd³ before compaction factor, or 8.5 yd³ after.

Can I get free fill dirt?

Yes. Local excavation contractors, swimming pool builders, and home construction sites typically have surplus fill dirt and will dump it free if you provide a suitable location. Check Craigslist free section, Facebook Marketplace, or dirtmatch.com. Clean fill from foundations or pool excavations is the best free source.

What makes fill dirt different from other bulk materials?

Fill dirt is unscreened subsoil — the material below the organic horizon excavated during construction. It is high in clay or sand, low in organic content, and built for one job: providing structural mass. It compacts predictably, doesn't harbor weed seeds the way organic material does, and stays put under slabs and hardscaping. The trade-off is that it supports almost no plant growth. Any planted area must be capped with a screened growing medium after the fill is placed and compacted.

Does fill dirt need to be compacted?

Yes, for any structural application: foundation backfill, sub-grade for driveways, retaining wall backfill. Compact in 6–8 inch lifts using a plate compactor or jumping jack. Uncompacted fill settles 10–15% over 6–24 months, causing cracking in anything built on top. For purely cosmetic low-spot fill in lawns, light compaction with a lawn roller suffices.

How fill dirt pricing works — and why free fill exists

Fill dirt is the cheapest bulk landscaping material because it's unscreened subsoil — the clay and mixed soil left over from basement, pool, and utility excavations. Contractors actively seek disposal sites for this material. Many residential projects near active construction zones can arrange free fill by calling excavation contractors directly. The cost you pay, when you do pay, is essentially a delivery and logistics fee: –3 per ton covers the supplier's loading time, haul distance, and dump truck operation. This calculator uses BLS PPI PCU212321212321 (Construction Sand and Gravel Mining) as the upstream extraction index and a bulk density of 2,200 pounds per cubic yard — slightly lower than gravel because fill dirt has higher void content and organic material mixed in. One cubic yard weighs about 1.1 tons and covers 108 square feet at 3 inches depth. Large projects (500+ cubic yards) often command better delivered pricing because the supplier can dispatch multiple loads in one mobilization.

When fill dirt is the right material — and when it isn't

Fill dirt is structural subsoil — the correct material for raising grade, filling voids, and creating sub-base under hardscaping. It contains little to no organic matter, which means it compacts predictably and won't cause drainage problems or settle unevenly under slabs and driveways. The right sequence for any grade change: fill to within 4–6 inches of finished grade, compact each 6-inch lift with a plate compactor, then cap with a screened growing medium for any area that will be seeded or planted. The key limitation: fill dirt will not support plant growth. Any project that ends in a lawn, garden bed, or seeded area must have growing medium placed on top after the fill is compacted and the grade is confirmed. Large projects (500+ cubic yards) often command better delivered pricing because the supplier can dispatch multiple loads in one mobilization.
How this is calculated

Formula: L × W × (D ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 2,200 lb/yd³ ÷ 2,000 = tons × $/ton (BLS PPI-indexed)

InputValueUnit
Length 30 ft
Width 20 ft
Depth 12 in
Topsoil Cost Calculator

Screened topsoil for lawns, gardens, and finish grade — the cap layer above fill.

→ Topsoil Cost CalculatorSand Cost Calculator

Bulk sand for base layers, sandboxes, and leveling applications.

→ Sand Cost CalculatorGravel Driveway Cost Calculator

Crushed stone driveways — compare structural fill vs. gravel base cost.

→ Gravel Driveway Cost Calculator

Sources

  1. BLS PPI — Construction Sand and Gravel Mining (PCU212321212321) — verified 2026-06-09, updates monthly
  2. BLS OEWS — Construction Laborers (47-2061) — verified 2026-06-08, updates annual