How Much Does Fill Dirt Cost?
2026 HOME & PROPERTY COST GUIDE
Fill dirt typically costs about $5 to $25 per cubic yard before delivery. Once delivery is included, homeowners commonly pay roughly $15 to $50 per cubic yard. A full 10- to 15-yard truckload can cost approximately $150 to $600 delivered, depending heavily on distance, dirt quality and local availability.
Typical material price before significant delivery charges.
Delivery distance and load size have a major effect.
Common range for roughly 10 to 15 cubic yards delivered.
Screened or certified clean material generally costs more.
How Much Does Fill Dirt Cost?
Fill dirt itself is relatively inexpensive. A typical price is around $5 to $25 per cubic yard. The bigger expense is often getting several tons of dirt from the supplier to your property.
After delivery, a realistic planning price is closer to $15 to $50 per cubic yard. Small orders can cost even more per yard because the truck and driver cost nearly as much whether you order three yards or ten.
Fill dirt is commonly used to raise grades, fill low areas, backfill excavations and create a stable base underneath landscaping or construction projects.
Fill Dirt Cost by Type
| Type of Fill | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Unscreened Fill Dirt Basic excavated material for bulk filling | $5–$15 / yd |
| Clean Fill Dirt Free of trash, organics and unwanted debris | $10–$25+ / yd |
| Screened Fill Dirt Processed to remove larger rocks and debris | $15–$35+ / yd |
| Clay Fill Dense material useful for certain grading applications | $5–$25 / yd |
| Sandy Fill Higher-drainage fill material | $15–$30+ / yd |
| Topsoil Planting soil rather than structural fill | $10–$50+ / yd |
Fill dirt and topsoil are not interchangeable. Fill dirt is intended primarily for filling and grading. Topsoil contains more organic material and is normally placed on top when grass, gardens or landscaping will be planted.
How Much Does a Truckload of Fill Dirt Cost?
The final price depends heavily on the supplier, delivery distance, truck size and whether you are buying unscreened, clean or screened fill.
Ordering by the truckload usually produces a much lower effective price per cubic yard than ordering a small quantity.
For example, a supplier may charge a flat delivery fee regardless of whether the truck carries five yards or ten. Filling the truck therefore spreads the delivery expense across more material.
Fill Dirt Cost by Quantity
| Amount of Fill Dirt | Typical Delivered Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 Cubic Yard Small delivery fees can dominate the price | $50–$150+ |
| 5 Cubic Yards Small residential grading project | $125–$350+ |
| 10 Cubic Yards Approximately one smaller truckload | $150–$500+ |
| 15 Cubic Yards Large dump-truck delivery | $225–$750+ |
| 20 Cubic Yards Larger grading and construction projects | $300–$1,000+ |
These totals are planning ranges rather than quotes. Dirt is a very regional product, and transportation can cost more than the material itself.
How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?
Fill dirt is normally ordered by the cubic yard. To estimate how much you need, measure the length and width of the area in feet and determine the average depth of fill.
Multiply dimensions in feet to calculate cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert the result to cubic yards.
If the depth is measured in inches, divide it by 12 before using the formula.
For example, an area measuring 20 feet by 10 feet that needs 6 inches of fill requires:
20 × 10 × 0.5 ÷ 27 = approximately 3.7 cubic yards.
Because fill dirt settles and compacts, ordering an additional 10% to 15% is a reasonable starting point for many projects. Structural or heavily compacted fills may require a larger allowance.
How Much Area Does One Yard of Fill Dirt Cover?
Approximate coverage from one cubic yard.
Approximate coverage from one cubic yard.
Approximate coverage from one cubic yard.
How Much Does a Yard of Fill Dirt Weigh?
One cubic yard of fill dirt commonly weighs approximately 2,000 to 2,700 pounds, or roughly 1 to 1.35 tons.
Moisture and soil composition make a major difference. Wet clay-heavy dirt can weigh considerably more than dry sandy fill.
This is why hauling several yards of dirt in a normal pickup can become a problem very quickly. Even one cubic yard can approach or exceed the payload capacity of many passenger trucks.
How Much Does Fill Dirt Delivery Cost?
Delivery is often the biggest reason two suppliers quote very different prices for the same dirt.
Distance
Longer hauling distances increase fuel, truck and driver costs.
Load Size
Small orders generally cost more per yard because the delivery fee is spread across less material.
Truck Access
Narrow driveways, steep grades and limited dumping areas can complicate delivery.
Material Type
Screened or specially selected fill costs more than basic unscreened excavation material.
Can You Get Fill Dirt for Free?
Sometimes. Excavation and construction projects regularly produce more dirt than the contractor needs, and disposing of it costs money.
That can create opportunities to obtain fill dirt at little or no material cost if someone nearby needs to get rid of it.
Free dirt is not automatically a bargain, however. Before accepting it, you should understand what is actually in the load. Dirt containing demolition debris, large rocks, organic material or questionable contaminants can create a much bigger problem than the money saved.
Fill Dirt vs. Topsoil
Fill Dirt
$5–$25/ydFill dirt contains relatively little organic material and is generally used to build elevation, fill holes, create grades and provide bulk beneath finished landscaping.
Topsoil
$10–$50+/ydTopsoil contains more organic material and is intended for growing grass, plants and gardens. It usually costs more and is placed over fill rather than being used for large structural grade changes.
For a yard that needs to be raised substantially, a common approach is to use inexpensive fill dirt for most of the depth and then finish with several inches of suitable topsoil.
How Much Does It Cost to Spread Fill Dirt?
Having dirt dumped in the driveway is very different from having it graded and compacted where it belongs.
Larger grading projects requiring skid steers, excavators, compaction equipment or substantial site work can cost much more.
For larger grade changes, equipment and operator time can become a much bigger expense than the dirt itself.
Building on a Larger Site?
Grading and site preparation can also be a major expense when building recreational areas. See our guide to tennis court construction costs for a breakdown of grading, drainage, surfacing, fencing and lighting.
Fill Dirt Cost FAQ
Fill dirt typically costs about $5 to $25 per cubic yard before delivery. Delivered prices commonly work out closer to $15 to $50 per yard depending on quantity and distance.
A roughly 10- to 15-cubic-yard delivery commonly costs around $150 to $600, although distance and local material prices can push the total higher.
One cubic yard covers about 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, or approximately 54 square feet at 6 inches deep.
One cubic yard commonly weighs around 2,000 to 2,700 pounds. Moisture content and the amount of clay, sand and rock in the material affect the actual weight.
Fill dirt is useful for creating the grade underneath a lawn, but it generally contains too little organic matter to be an ideal finished planting surface. Topsoil is normally added over the fill before planting grass.
Yes. A starting allowance of about 10% to 15% above the calculated volume is common because loose fill settles and takes up less space after compaction.
Usually. Basic fill dirt commonly costs around $5 to $25 per cubic yard, while quality topsoil may cost $10 to $50 or more per cubic yard.
CostFigures publishes estimated price ranges to help homeowners plan and compare expenses. Fill dirt prices vary significantly by region, material quality, quantity, delivery distance, truck access and spreading requirements. Local delivered pricing may fall above or below these ranges.