Estimate soil yards, tons, cost, and truckloads fast. Convert units, add waste, and handle compaction correctly. Build smarter material plans with fewer delivery surprises.
| Project | Length | Width | Depth | Waste | Compaction | Estimated Loose cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Bed | 20 ft | 12 ft | 6 in | 8% | 90% | 5.33 |
| Backfill Area | 35 ft | 18 ft | 8 in | 10% | 92% | 18.62 |
| Yard Leveling | 50 ft | 30 ft | 4 in | 7% | 95% | 19.84 |
Rectangle area = length × width.
Triangle area = length × width ÷ 2.
Bank volume in cubic feet = area × depth in feet.
Bank volume in cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
Volume with waste = bank cubic yards × (1 + waste %).
Loose cubic yards = volume with waste ÷ compaction factor.
Estimated tons = loose cubic yards × density.
Total cost = loose cubic yards × cost per yard.
Truckloads = loose cubic yards ÷ truck capacity, rounded up.
Choose the project shape first.
Enter the length and width of the area.
Select the area unit that matches your field measurements.
Enter the planned soil depth and its unit.
Add waste allowance for overage, grading, and jobsite losses.
Enter compaction percentage if the placed soil will settle.
Add density to estimate weight in tons.
Enter cost per cubic yard and truck capacity for planning.
Press calculate to display the result above the form.
Use the CSV and PDF buttons to save the results.
This soil yard calculator helps estimate material for site work. It works for fill, backfill, grading, and topsoil planning. Many jobs fail because quantities are guessed. Small errors can raise delivery cost fast. This tool reduces that risk.
The calculator starts with area and depth. It converts all values into feet, then finds cubic feet and cubic yards. After that, it adjusts for waste and compaction. This gives a more realistic loose volume to order. It can also estimate weight, cost, and truckloads.
Waste allowance is important on real projects. Soil can spread, settle, or spill during handling. Grade corrections can also increase the final need. A small waste factor often prevents shortage. That means fewer delays on the jobsite.
Compaction changes ordering needs. Compacted fill takes less space than loose delivered soil. Because of that, you may need more loose cubic yards than the finished volume suggests. This calculator handles that adjustment clearly. It is useful for pads, trenches, and leveling work.
Estimating quantity alone is not enough. Material cost and truck planning also matter. This page includes cost per cubic yard and truck capacity. That helps compare supplier quotes and delivery schedules. It is practical for contractors, estimators, and property owners.
Always measure carefully before ordering. Check whether depth is uniform across the whole area. If the site has slopes, divide it into smaller sections. Then total the results. That approach improves accuracy and supports better planning from start to finish.
A soil yard usually means one cubic yard of soil. It equals 27 cubic feet. Suppliers often price fill, topsoil, and mulch by cubic yard.
Compaction changes the amount you must order. Loose soil takes more space before placement. The compaction input helps convert finished volume into delivered volume.
Many projects use 5% to 15%. The best value depends on handling losses, uneven grade, and site conditions. Use a larger margin when conditions are uncertain.
Yes. It works for topsoil, fill dirt, compost blends, and similar materials. Change the density value to match the material you plan to buy.
Tons help with transport and supplier quotes. Some vendors sell by weight, not only by volume. Weight also helps check truck capacity limits.
It is a planning estimate. Actual capacity depends on truck type, material moisture, and legal load limits. Confirm final delivery details with your supplier.
Yes. Select triangle in the shape field. The calculator then uses length × width ÷ 2 before finding total soil volume.
Yes. Break irregular areas into rectangles or triangles. Calculate each section separately, then add the totals for a better estimate.