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.
How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?
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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.
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