Fill Dirt: Size, Uses, and Cost Per Ton (2026)
Also called: Clean Fill, Structural Fill
Fill Dirt at a Glance
| Size | Fine to coarse soil particles, free of organic matter like roots, grass, or leaves. |
|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 2,200 to 2,800 lbs (1.10 to 1.40 tons) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.71 to 0.91 |
| Cost per ton | $5 to $15 per ton |
| Cost per cubic yard | $8 to $25 per cubic yard |
| 10-ton truckload | $50 to $150 before delivery |
| Compaction | Moderate (10%). Locks up with a plate compactor. |
| Drainage | Good. Drains well, a few fines in the mix. |
| Best for | Grading and leveling, Filling holes and depressions, Raising elevation, Backfill behind retaining walls |
| Wrong for | Planting or gardening, Surface applications, Drainage systems |
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?
Draw your project area on the map to get an instant material estimate for Fill Dirt.
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Type your address, trace the area on a satellite photo, and see how many tons to order.
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Enter an address in step 1. Then click around the edge of the spot you want to cover and the planner does the math.
What Fill Dirt Costs in 2026
Fill Dirt costs $5 to $15 per ton, or $8 to $25 per cubic yard. A 10-ton single-axle truckload runs $50 to $150 before delivery. An 18-ton tandem load runs $90 to $270. Delivery adds $50 to $150 within 10 to 15 miles of the supplier.
| Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|
| 1 ton | $5 to $15 |
| 1 cubic yard | $8 to $25 |
| 10-ton single-axle load | $50 to $150 |
| 18-ton tandem load | $90 to $270 |
| 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep | $6 to $24 |
Often the cheapest material to have delivered. Some contractors give it away free from excavation sites — check local classifieds.
Prices vary by region and order size. See the gravel cost per ton guide and the delivery cost guide.
How Much Fill Dirt for Common Projects
Tons include 10% compaction and a 10% waste allowance. Formula: cubic yards = square feet x depth in inches / 324.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons to order | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft patio (200 sq ft) | 2 in | 1.2 | 1.6 to 2.1 | $8 to $32 |
| 12 x 40 ft driveway (480 sq ft) | 4 in | 5.9 | 7.9 to 10.0 | $40 to $150 |
| 3 x 50 ft walkway (150 sq ft) | 3 in | 1.4 | 1.8 to 2.4 | $9 to $36 |
Different size? Use the gravel calculator or convert with the tons to yards calculator.
Where Fill Dirt Works and Where It Fails
Best uses
- ✓ Grading and leveling
- ✓ Filling holes and depressions
- ✓ Raising elevation
- ✓ Backfill behind retaining walls
Wrong uses
- ✗ Planting or gardening
- ✗ Surface applications
- ✗ Drainage systems
Common Uses
- ✓ Grading
- ✓ Filling depressions
- ✓ Raising elevation
- ✓ Backfill
- ✓ Construction site prep
- ✓ Under slabs
Pros and 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 and 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.
Compare Fill Dirt With Other Materials
Side-by-side size, cost, drainage, and best-use comparisons.
- Fill Dirt vs Pea Gravel
- Crushed Stone vs Fill Dirt
- Crushed Limestone vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs River Rock
- Decomposed Granite vs Fill Dirt
- #57 Gravel vs Fill Dirt
- #8 Gravel vs Fill Dirt
- Crusher Run vs Fill Dirt
- #89 Stone vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs Topsoil
- Brown Shredded Mulch vs Fill Dirt
- Black Shredded Mulch vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs Rip Rap
- Compost vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs Washed Gravel
- Bank Run Gravel vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs Marble Chips
- Fill Dirt vs Lava Rock
- Fill Dirt vs Stone Dust
- #411 Gravel vs Fill Dirt
- Construction Gravel vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs Recycled Asphalt
- Bluestone vs Fill Dirt
- Fill Dirt vs Jersey Shore Gravel
- Fill Dirt vs Mexican Beach Pebble
- #4 Stone vs Fill Dirt
Fill Dirt by City
Suppliers stock Fill Dirt in these 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