admin A cubic yard of dirt typically costs $10 to $50, depending on the type of soil, your location, and whether delivery is included. Fill dirt is the cheapest—often as low as $5–$15 per yard—while screened topsoil runs $15–$50. If you are asking how much is cubic yard of dirt for a garden, specialty mixes with compost can exceed $60 per yard. Always calculate your square footage and depth carefully to avoid over-ordering, which can lead to hefty delivery surcharges.
Price by Soil Type
| Soil Type | Price Per Cubic Yard | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt | $5-$20 | Leveling land, raising grade, filling holes |
| Topsoil (basic) | $15-$35 | Lawn repair, garden beds, general landscaping |
| Premium topsoil | $30-$50 | New lawns, flower beds, vegetable gardens |
| Garden/amended soil | $45-$75 | Raised beds, container gardening |
| Sandy loam | $20-$40 | Drainage improvement, lawn base |
| Clay fill | $5-$15 | Structural fill under foundations |
Note: These are material costs only. Delivery typically adds $50-$150 depending on distance. Many suppliers offer free delivery for larger orders (5+ yards).
What’s a Cubic Yard, Visually?
A cubic yard is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet – roughly the size of a standard washing machine. It weighs approximately 1,000-3,000 lbs depending on soil type and moisture content.
- Fill dirt: ~2,000 lbs per yard
- Topsoil: ~1,500-2,000 lbs per yard
- Wet soil: significantly heavier
One cubic yard spread at 2 inches deep covers approximately 160 square feet.
How Many Cubic Yards Do You Need?
Use this simple formula:
> Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth in) ÷ 324
The 324 divides the total cubic inches into yards (12 × 12 × 12 / 27 = 64, but accounting for inches-to-feet conversion gives 324).
Quick Reference Chart
| Area | 2″ Deep | 4″ Deep | 6″ Deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.6 yards | 1.2 yards | 1.9 yards |
| 250 sq ft | 1.5 yards | 3.1 yards | 4.6 yards |
| 500 sq ft | 3.1 yards | 6.2 yards | 9.3 yards |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.2 yards | 12.3 yards | 18.5 yards |
Pro tip: Always order 10% more than your calculation. Settling, compaction, and measurement errors mean you almost always need a little extra.
Fill Dirt vs Topsoil – Don’t Mix These Up
This is the most common and costly mistake homeowners make.
Fill dirt has no organic matter and no nutrients. It’s stable and compacts well – ideal for raising low areas, filling large holes, or creating a base layer. Don’t plant in fill dirt; nothing will grow well.
Topsoil contains organic matter and nutrients and supports plant growth. It’s what goes on top of any fill work, or directly into planting areas.
If you’re filling a large depression in your yard, use fill dirt for the bulk of it and top with 4-6 inches of topsoil. This approach costs significantly less than filling the entire depth with topsoil.
Where to Buy Dirt
| Source | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Local landscape supply yard | Best price per yard, bulk options | You may need to arrange your own delivery |
| Home Depot / Lowe’s (bagged) | Convenient, no minimums | Very expensive per cubic yard |
| Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace | Sometimes free fill dirt available | Quality varies widely |
| Local excavation companies | Often have free or cheap fill | May include debris or poor-quality material |
For projects over 3 cubic yards, always buy in bulk from a landscape supplier. Bagged soil at big-box stores costs 4-6× more per cubic yard.
The Bottom Line
A cubic yard of dirt is affordable and goes a long way – if you order the right type. Know your project, calculate your yards using the formula above, and factor in delivery. For most residential landscaping jobs, you’ll spend $50-$200 on materials for a typical backyard project.
