Fill Dirt: Uses, Cost, and Buying Guide
Also known as: Clean Fill, Structural Fill
What Is Fill Dirt?
Subsoil material free of organic matter, used for grading, filling, and raising elevation. Fill dirt is a lower-grade soil that lacks the nutrients of topsoil, making it ideal for structural and non-growing applications where settling must be minimized.
Is Fill Dirt Right for You?
Best for
- ✓ Grading and leveling
- ✓ Filling holes and depressions
- ✓ Raising elevation
- ✓ Backfill behind retaining walls
Not recommended for
- ✗ Planting or gardening
- ✗ Surface applications
- ✗ Drainage systems
Common Uses
- ✓ Grading
- ✓ Filling depressions
- ✓ Raising elevation
- ✓ Backfill
- ✓ Construction site prep
- ✓ Under slabs
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Very affordable — often cheapest material available | − Not suitable for growing plants |
| + Compacts firmly for structural support | − Must be free of debris and contaminants |
| + Does not decompose or settle like organic soil | − May contain clay that drains poorly |
| + Widely available from construction sites | − Needs compaction in layers for stability |
| + Ideal base under gravel or concrete | − Quality varies widely between sources |
Fill Dirt Sizes & Colors
Fine to coarse soil particles, free of organic matter like roots, grass, or leaves. Color ranges from tan to reddish-brown depending on local geology. "Clean fill" means free of debris, rocks larger than 3", and contaminants.
Fill Dirt Cost
| Measure | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Per ton | $5 – $15 |
| Per cubic yard | $8 – $25 |
Often the cheapest material to have delivered. Some contractors give it away free from excavation sites — check local classifieds.
Prices vary by region, availability, and order size. Urban areas typically pay more than rural areas.
How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?
Enter your project dimensions to estimate the right amount.
Please enter your dimensions above to calculate.
Fill Dirt vs Alternatives
Fill Dirt vs Pea Gravel
Compare Fill Dirt and Pea Gravel side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Crushed Stone vs Fill Dirt
Compare Crushed Stone and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Crushed Limestone vs Fill Dirt
Compare Crushed Limestone and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs River Rock
Compare Fill Dirt and River Rock side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Decomposed Granite vs Fill Dirt
Compare Decomposed Granite and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
#57 Gravel vs Fill Dirt
Compare #57 Gravel and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
#8 Gravel vs Fill Dirt
Compare #8 Gravel and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Crusher Run vs Fill Dirt
Compare Crusher Run and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
#89 Stone vs Fill Dirt
Compare #89 Stone and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Topsoil
Compare Fill Dirt and Topsoil side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Brown Shredded Mulch vs Fill Dirt
Compare Brown Shredded Mulch and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Black Shredded Mulch vs Fill Dirt
Compare Black Shredded Mulch and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Rip Rap
Compare Fill Dirt and Rip Rap side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Compost vs Fill Dirt
Compare Compost and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Washed Gravel
Compare Fill Dirt and Washed Gravel side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Bank Run Gravel vs Fill Dirt
Compare Bank Run Gravel and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Marble Chips
Compare Fill Dirt and Marble Chips side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Lava Rock
Compare Fill Dirt and Lava Rock side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Stone Dust
Compare Fill Dirt and Stone Dust side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
#411 Gravel vs Fill Dirt
Compare #411 Gravel and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Construction Gravel vs Fill Dirt
Compare Construction Gravel and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Recycled Asphalt
Compare Fill Dirt and Recycled Asphalt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Bluestone vs Fill Dirt
Compare Bluestone and Fill Dirt side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Jersey Shore Gravel
Compare Fill Dirt and Jersey Shore Gravel side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt vs Mexican Beach Pebble
Compare Fill Dirt and Mexican Beach Pebble side by side — uses, pros & cons, costs, and which is best for your project.
Fill Dirt by City
Fill Dirt Crushed limestone is commonly used and readily available in the following cities:
Find Fill Dirt Near You
198 Washington St, Stoughton, Massachusetts
1205 W Russell St, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
3515 E Gila Ridge Rd, Yuma, Arizona
72 Miller Rd, Colchester, Connecticut
11 Kimberly Dr, South Windsor, Connecticut
2252 Southwind Blvd, Bartlett, Illinois
22950 W 119th St, Plainfield, Illinois
4090 W Hacienda Ave, Las Vegas, Nevada
43646 County Road 45, Ault, Colorado
14555 Elm Row Rd, Albion, Michigan
18003 Cindys Ln, Justin, Texas
2917 Gresham Lake Rd, Raleigh, North Carolina
28205 Scippo Creek Rd, Circleville, Ohio
31980 Mapleview Rd, Albany, Minnesota
10936 Iron Mountain Rd, Redding, California
Clute, Texas
3499 E 1850 S, Clinton, Indiana
669 Industrial Park Rd NE, Brookhaven, Mississippi
1407 W 10th Pl, Tempe, Arizona
562 Amherst Rd, Sunderland, Massachusetts
364 E Main St, Middletown, Delaware
277 Whites Path, Yarmouth, Massachusetts
5511 Highway 403, Charlestown, Indiana
10810 Avenue 184, Tulare, California
4611 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, Wisconsin
939 Parker Farm Rd, Buxton, Maine
140 Laurel Hill Rd, Brookfield, Connecticut
10301 Northwest Fwy, Houston, Texas
128 SW Circle Dr, Hines, Oregon
24680 Front St, Accomac, Virginia
2350 S 1900 W, Ogden, Utah
275 Richardson Hwy, Delta Junction, Alaska
2630 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Hood River, Oregon
304 E Main St, Itasca, Texas
4595 US Highway 380, Decatur, Texas
103 County Road 17A W, Avon Park, Florida
4383 Katy Hockley Cut Off Rd, Katy, Texas
735 S Highland Ave, Los Angeles, California
144 Martha Lewis Blvd, Havre de Grace, Maryland
3498 Frost Rd, Mantua, Ohio
Salt Lake City, Utah
42390 US Highway 72, Stevenson, Alabama
11500 Tarlton Rd, Circleville, Ohio
2400 E Main St, Trinidad, Colorado
4391 Bibb Blvd, Tucker, Georgia
Heise Rd, Charlevoix, Michigan
2 N 1700th Rd, Lecompton, Kansas
1755 Pleasant View Rd, Middleton, Wisconsin
1004 SE Spencer Ave, Port Orchard, Washington
940 N 20th St, Columbus, Ohio
14551 Lake Dr NE, Columbus, Minnesota
121 Route 303, Orangeburg, New York
Charlotte, North Carolina
11 Myrtle Ave, Braintree, Massachusetts
Atmore, Alabama
74 Floral Ave, Mount Clemens, Michigan
338 Courtland Ave, Stamford, Connecticut
5139 W 106th St, Inglewood, California
2410 Crain Hwy, Bowie, Maryland
314 N Main St, Jennings, Louisiana
55173 State Highway 68, Mankato, Minnesota
496 Landis Ave, Bridgeton, New Jersey
3423 Christensen Rd, Cheyenne, Wyoming
5208 Airport Fwy, Haltom City, Texas
2512 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville, Alabama
Iron River, Wisconsin
6220 37th Ave SE, Minot, North Dakota
66 Waterloo Valley Rd, Stanhope, New Jersey
300 Highway 151 E, Walford, Iowa
3143 S Burnside Ave, Gonzales, Louisiana
2618 Genoa Red Bluff Rd, Houston, Texas
127 W University Blvd, Tucson, Arizona
20354 US Highway 280 E, Smiths Station, Alabama
Park Dr, Owatonna, Minnesota
5500 Chronicle Ct, Jacksonville, Florida
1294 State Highway 12, Greene, New York
28957 W IL Route 173, Antioch, Illinois
1408 52nd St N, Great Falls, Montana
Coventry, Connecticut
424 Easton Rd, Warrington, Pennsylvania
N2564 County Road QQ, Waupaca, Wisconsin
262 Route 44, Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania
1351 S Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, Washington
544 Burdeck St, Schenectady, New York
141 Ansley Dr NE, Thomson, Georgia
19001 Hull Street Rd, Moseley, Virginia
64341 County Road 11, Goshen, Indiana