So, you need dirt for your yard or project. You might ask, “How much for a yard of dirt?” The price can change a lot, usually falling somewhere between $10 and $50 per cubic yard, but this is just for the dirt itself, not including getting it to you. A “yard” when talking about dirt means a cubic yard. This is a cube that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet tall. It holds 27 cubic feet of material. You can buy dirt in bulk from places like landscape supply yards or quarries.
Getting dirt for your yard project feels like a big step. Maybe you want to fill a low spot, build a new garden bed, or level an area for a patio. Knowing how much dirt you need and what it will cost helps you plan better.
Finding the right dirt at the right price can be tricky. Prices change based on many things. This guide will help you figure out what you need, how much it might cost, and where to find it.
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Comprehending a Yard of Dirt
What exactly is a yard of dirt? When people talk about buying dirt in large amounts, they usually mean a cubic yard.
A cubic yard is a measure of volume.
Think of a box that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. The amount of space inside that box is one cubic yard.
This is a standard unit for selling things like dirt, mulch, sand, and gravel in bulk.
Grasping the Size
One cubic yard is quite a bit of material.
Let’s think about how many cubic feet in a yard of dirt.
One foot is 12 inches.
So, a cube that is 3 feet on each side is also 36 inches on each side.
The volume is 3 feet * 3 feet * 3 feet.
That equals 27 cubic feet.
So, one cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet of dirt.
To help picture this:
A standard wheelbarrow often holds about 3 to 6 cubic feet.
So, one cubic yard of dirt is like filling a wheelbarrow about 4 to 9 times.
That’s a lot of shoveling!
Knowing the size of a cubic yard helps you figure out how much dirt you need. You also get a better idea of how much space it will take up when it’s delivered.
Different Kinds of Dirt and What They Cost
Not all dirt is the same. The kind of dirt you need changes what it costs and where you should buy it. Different jobs need different types of dirt.
Topsoil Explained
Topsoil is the top layer of soil on the earth. It’s usually dark and rich in organic matter. This makes it great for plants.
It’s often used for:
* Building new garden beds.
* Leveling lawns before planting grass seed or laying sod.
* Improving the soil in existing gardens.
Good topsoil is screened. This means it has gone through a sifter to remove large rocks, roots, and trash. Screened dirt is smoother and easier to work with.
The cost of topsoil per yard is usually higher than other types of dirt.
Why? Because it’s better quality and has been processed (screened).
Expect to pay more for screened topsoil than for basic fill dirt.
Fill Dirt Defined
Fill dirt is different from topsoil. It’s soil from lower layers of the ground.
It often has clay, sand, and small rocks mixed in.
It doesn’t have much organic matter.
This means it’s not good for growing plants.
Fill dirt is used for:
* Filling large holes.
* Building up the ground level in an area.
* Creating mounds or berms.
* Using as a base layer before adding better soil on top.
The fill dirt cost per yard is generally lower than topsoil.
It’s cheaper because it’s basically just plain dirt dug from somewhere. It might not be screened or cleaned much.
It’s heavy and compacts well, which is why it’s good for filling or building land up.
Screened Dirt Explained
Screened dirt is any type of dirt that has been pushed or shaken through a screen.
This process takes out big lumps, rocks, roots, and debris.
You can have screened topsoil or screened fill dirt.
The screening makes the dirt finer and more uniform.
The screened dirt cost is higher than unscreened dirt of the same type.
Screening takes time and special equipment.
But the extra cost is often worth it. Screened dirt is much easier to spread and level. It’s also better if you’re planting, as roots won’t hit big rocks right away.
Other Types (Briefly)
You might also hear about:
* Compost: Very rich organic material. Great for mixing into soil to improve it. More expensive than plain dirt.
* Blended Soil: A mix of topsoil, compost, and maybe sand. Made for specific uses like vegetable gardens or raising beds. Costs more because it’s a custom mix.
* Landscaping Dirt: This term is broad. It often means topsoil or a blend made for use in gardens and lawns. The landscaping dirt cost will vary based on what’s actually in the mix. It’s typically mid-range to high in price.
Knowing the type of dirt you need is the first step in figuring out the cost. Don’t buy cheap fill dirt if you need to plant flowers!
Things That Change the Price
The cost of a cubic yard of dirt is not set in stone. Many things can make the price go up or down.
Type and Quality
As we talked about, the kind of dirt matters a lot.
* Fill dirt is cheapest.
* Topsoil costs more.
* Screened dirt costs more than unscreened.
* Special blends or compost mixes cost the most.
Higher quality dirt (like rich, screened topsoil) will always cost more per yard than basic fill dirt.
How Much You Buy
Buying more dirt usually means you pay less per yard.
This is like buying in bulk at a store – the price per item goes down when you buy a big box.
Suppliers often have lower bulk dirt prices for larger orders.
If you only need one or two yards, the price per yard might be higher than if you need 10 or 20 yards.
Getting the Dirt to You
This is often the biggest part of the total cost.
Unless you have a truck and can pick it up yourself, you will need to pay for delivery.
The delivered dirt price per yard includes the cost of the dirt plus the cost to bring it to your location.
Delivery fees depend on:
* Distance: How far away you are from the supplier.
* Amount: Sometimes, delivery is a flat fee up to a certain amount (like 10 or 15 yards). If you need more, they might need multiple trips or a bigger truck, raising the cost.
* Fuel prices: Higher gas prices mean higher delivery costs.
Some suppliers charge a set delivery fee. Others charge based on distance. A delivery fee can easily add $50 to $300 or more to your total cost.
Where You Live
Dirt prices change based on your location.
* In some areas, dirt might be easy to find and cheaper.
* In other areas, dirt could be harder to get or there might be fewer suppliers, making it more expensive.
* Laws and fees in your area can also affect prices.
The cost of a cubic yard of dirt price can be very different from one town to the next.
Where You Buy It
The type of place you buy dirt from also matters.
* Large quarries or excavation companies might have the lowest prices for fill dirt, especially in huge amounts (where to buy dirt in bulk).
* Local landscape supply yards offer various types (topsoil, blends, gravel) and often sell in smaller bulk amounts (like 1-20 yards). Their prices per yard might be a bit higher than a quarry but lower than a garden center.
* Garden centers often sell dirt in bags. Buying a cubic yard this way would be very expensive. Some do offer bulk, but usually at a higher price per yard than a dedicated landscape yard.
The Supplier’s Costs
The supplier has costs too.
* Getting the dirt (digging, buying from elsewhere).
* Processing the dirt (screening, mixing).
* Storing the dirt.
* Paying for trucks, fuel, and workers.
These costs are built into the price they charge you.
What You Might Pay: General Cost Ranges
Let’s look at some typical costs for dirt per cubic yard. Remember, these are just ranges. Your actual cost might be higher or lower.
Basic Cubic Yard of Dirt Price
Without delivery, the price for a cubic yard of dirt price can range from about $10 to $50.
* $10 – $25: Usually basic fill dirt, possibly unscreened. Good for filling big holes where soil quality doesn’t matter.
* $25 – $40: This is often screened fill dirt or lower-quality screened topsoil. Suitable for base layers or filling larger areas before adding a top layer.
* $35 – $50: Good quality screened topsoil. Best for lawns, gardens, and planting areas.
Cost by Type
Let’s break down the costs for specific types:
-
Fill Dirt Cost Per Yard:
- Unscreened: $10 – $25
- Screened: $15 – $30
- This is the cheapest type. It’s mostly used for structural purposes, not planting.
-
Cost of Topsoil Per Yard:
- Basic Screened: $25 – $40
- High-Quality Screened (richer): $40 – $50
- This is the standard for gardening and lawns.
-
Screened Dirt Cost:
- Depends on the base material. Screened fill dirt is cheaper than screened topsoil.
- Screening usually adds $5 – $15 per yard to the cost compared to unscreened.
- Range: $15 – $50+ (depending on what’s screened)
-
Landscaping Dirt Cost:
- Often similar to topsoil or blended soil prices.
- Range: $30 – $60+ per yard.
- This term is vague, so ask the supplier exactly what is in their “landscaping dirt.” It might be a mix of soil and compost.
Adding in Delivery Costs
Delivery can double or triple the cost per yard, especially for smaller orders.
The delivered dirt price per yard includes the dirt and the delivery fee spread across the number of yards delivered.
Example:
* Dirt cost: $30 per yard
* Delivery fee: $100
* Order size: 5 yards
* Total cost: (5 yards * $30/yard) + $100 = $150 + $100 = $250
* Delivered cost per yard: $250 / 5 yards = $50 per yard
Example 2:
* Dirt cost: $30 per yard
* Delivery fee: $100
* Order size: 10 yards
* Total cost: (10 yards * $30/yard) + $100 = $300 + $100 = $400
* Delivered cost per yard: $400 / 10 yards = $40 per yard
You can see how the delivery fee makes the cost per yard much higher for smaller loads.
Bulk Dirt Prices
When you buy larger amounts, you get bulk dirt prices. The price per yard goes down.
* 1-5 yards: Highest price per yard. Delivery fee has a big impact.
* 5-10 yards: Price per yard starts to drop a bit. Delivery fee impact is less.
* 10+ yards: Lower price per yard. Delivery fee impact is smallest.
Suppliers often have price breaks at certain amounts, like 5, 10, or 15 yards.
Truckload of Dirt Cost
What is a truckload of dirt cost? This varies a lot because trucks come in different sizes.
* A small dump truck might carry 5-7 cubic yards.
* A medium dump truck might carry 10-15 cubic yards.
* A large dump truck (like a tractor-trailer) might carry 20-25 cubic yards or even more.
When you ask for a “truckload,” the supplier will likely tell you the maximum amount their standard delivery truck can carry.
The cost for a truckload includes:
* The total cost of the dirt (price per yard * number of yards).
* The delivery fee for that truck.
Example: A medium truck carries 10 yards. Dirt is $30/yard. Delivery is $100.
Truckload cost = (10 yards * $30/yard) + $100 = $300 + $100 = $400.
So, a truckload of dirt cost can range from a few hundred dollars for a small load of fill dirt to over a thousand dollars for a large load of high-quality topsoil with a long delivery distance.
Quick Cost Summary Table
| Dirt Type | Quality/Processing | Approx. Cost Per Yard (Not Delivered) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill Dirt | Unscreened | $10 – $25 | Filling large holes, base layers |
| Fill Dirt | Screened | $15 – $30 | Base layers, leveling |
| Topsoil | Screened | $25 – $40 | Lawns, basic gardening |
| Topsoil | High Quality | $40 – $50 | Premium gardens, planting |
| Blended Soil | Screened/Mixed | $30 – $60+ | Specific garden needs |
| Delivery Fee | Per Trip | $50 – $300+ | Depends on distance & load size |
Note: These are general ranges. Prices vary greatly.
Finding Out How Much Dirt You Need
Before you buy, figure out how much dirt your project requires. Buying too little means paying for a second delivery. Buying too much wastes money and leaves you with a dirt pile.
Basic Math
You need to know the area you want to cover and the depth you need the dirt to be.
It’s best to work in feet.
Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
Measure the depth you need in feet (or convert inches to feet).
Area = Length (feet) * Width (feet)
Volume (in cubic feet) = Area (square feet) * Depth (feet)
Example: You want to cover a space that is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. You need the dirt to be 6 inches deep.
Step 1: Convert depth to feet. 6 inches is 0.5 feet (6 / 12 = 0.5).
Step 2: Calculate the area. 10 feet * 5 feet = 50 square feet.
Step 3: Calculate the volume in cubic feet. 50 square feet * 0.5 feet = 25 cubic feet.
Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
Suppliers sell dirt by the cubic yard. So, you need to change your cubic feet number to cubic yards.
Remember, 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide the cubic feet number by 27.
Example (from above): You need 25 cubic feet of dirt.
Cubic Yards = 25 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet per yard
Cubic Yards = about 0.93 cubic yards
So, you need almost one cubic yard. Suppliers usually sell in whole or half yards, so you would likely order 1 cubic yard.
Example 2: You need to fill a large area 30 feet by 20 feet to a depth of 1 foot.
Area = 30 feet * 20 feet = 600 square feet.
Volume = 600 square feet * 1 foot = 600 cubic feet.
Cubic Yards = 600 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet per yard
Cubic Yards = about 22.2 cubic yards.
For this project, you would likely order 22 or 23 cubic yards. This amount would fall under bulk dirt prices and likely require a large truckload of dirt cost.
Tips for Measuring
- Measure carefully.
- Round up slightly. It’s better to have a little extra dirt than not enough.
- Remember dirt compacts. It will settle a bit over time. You might need a little more depth than you think if you want the final settled depth to be exact. Ask your supplier how much their dirt typically compacts.
Where to Buy Dirt in Bulk
Now that you know how much dirt you need and what type, where do you go to buy it? Finding where to buy dirt in bulk can save you money compared to buying many small bags.
Landscape Supply Yards
These are common places to buy dirt, mulch, gravel, and stone.
* Pros: Offer many types of soil (topsoil, blends), sell in bulk (often starting from 1 yard), usually have delivery options, staff can often help you figure out what you need.
* Cons: Prices might be a bit higher than a quarry for basic fill dirt.
Quarries or Sand and Gravel Pits
These places dig materials out of the ground.
* Pros: Often the cheapest place for basic fill dirt, sand, and gravel, especially for very large amounts. Good for bulk dirt prices.
* Cons: May only sell fill dirt, might not screen their dirt as finely, often require larger minimum orders for delivery, might be located further away.
Garden Centers
Some larger garden centers might offer bulk soil delivery.
* Pros: Convenient if you are already shopping there, staff are knowledgeable about soil for plants.
* Cons: Usually higher prices per yard than landscape yards or quarries, may only sell specific blended soils, delivery options might be limited or more expensive.
Excavation or Construction Companies
Sometimes, these companies are digging out dirt they need to get rid of.
* Pros: You might find free fill dirt!
* Cons: The dirt quality is not guaranteed (can have rocks, clay, trash), you usually have to haul it yourself or pay them for delivery, availability changes all the time. This is only really an option if you need basic fill dirt for filling large areas and quality doesn’t matter much.
Online Suppliers
Some companies let you order bulk materials online.
* Pros: Convenient ordering, can compare prices easily.
* Cons: Less personal service, harder to inspect the dirt before buying, delivery logistics might be complex.
Tips for Choosing a Supplier
- Get quotes from a few different places. Compare the cubic yard of dirt price, the delivery fee, and the total delivered dirt price per yard for the amount you need.
- Ask about the type and quality of their dirt. Is the topsoil screened? Where does their fill dirt come from?
- Ask about delivery details. How quickly can they deliver? Where will they dump the dirt? Make sure the truck can access the area. A fully loaded dump truck is very heavy.
Paying for Dirt: What to Expect
When you order dirt, you’ll need to know the cost and how to pay.
Quotes
Always ask for a clear quote. The quote should show:
* Cost per cubic yard for the type of dirt you want.
* The number of cubic yards you are ordering.
* The total cost for the dirt itself.
* The delivery fee.
* The grand total cost.
Make sure the quote mentions the type of dirt (fill, screened topsoil, etc.).
Payment
Most suppliers accept cash, checks, or credit cards.
You often pay when the dirt is delivered or beforehand.
Delivery Day
Be ready for the delivery truck.
* Clear the area where you want the dirt dumped. Make sure there are no cars, toys, or anything else in the way.
* Make sure the ground is firm enough for a heavy truck. They can get stuck in soft or wet areas.
* Think about overhead wires or low tree branches. Dump trucks lift the back of the truck bed high up to dump the dirt.
* Be home or have someone there to show the driver where to dump the dirt. The driver usually cannot move the dirt once it’s dumped.
The pile of dirt will be large. A cubic yard takes up a space roughly 3ft x 3ft x 3ft. If you order 10 yards, expect a pile about 10 times that volume! Plan where it will go.
Figuring Out Your Project’s Cost
Let’s put it together with an example.
Project: You need to build a new garden bed that is 15 feet long, 6 feet wide, and you want 1 foot of good topsoil.
-
Calculate Volume Needed:
- Area: 15 ft * 6 ft = 90 sq ft
- Volume in cubic feet: 90 sq ft * 1 ft = 90 cubic feet
- Convert to cubic yards: 90 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet per yard = 3.33 cubic yards.
- You’ll likely order 3.5 or 4 cubic yards of topsoil. Let’s say you order 4 yards to be safe.
-
Get Quotes for Topsoil:
- Supplier A: Screened Topsoil $35/yard. Delivery $75.
- Supplier B: High-Quality Screened Topsoil $45/yard. Delivery $100.
- Supplier C: Screened Garden Blend $50/yard. Delivery $60 (closer).
-
Calculate Total Cost for Each Supplier (for 4 yards):
- Supplier A: (4 yards * $35/yard) + $75 delivery = $140 + $75 = $215
- Supplier B: (4 yards * $45/yard) + $100 delivery = $180 + $100 = $280
- Supplier C: (4 yards * $50/yard) + $60 delivery = $200 + $60 = $260
-
Consider Quality vs. Price:
- Supplier A is cheapest, but is the topsoil good enough?
- Supplier C offers a garden blend which might be better for a new garden bed, and their delivery is cheaper. The total cost is $45 more than Supplier A.
- Supplier B is the most expensive overall.
Based on this, Supplier C’s garden blend might be the best value if the blend is good quality, even though the per-yard price is higher. The lower delivery fee helps a lot on this smaller order.
This shows why comparing the total delivered dirt price per yard is important, not just the dirt cost itself.
If this same project needed 20 yards, the delivery fee would have a smaller impact on the per-yard cost, and the dirt’s per-yard price difference between suppliers would matter more. This is where bulk dirt prices become key.
Tips for Saving Money on Dirt
Dirt costs can add up. Here are some ways to potentially lower the cost:
- Order the Right Amount: Calculate carefully. Ordering too little means paying for a second delivery, which is costly. Ordering too much wastes money.
- Choose the Right Type: Don’t buy expensive topsoil if all you need is fill dirt. Match the dirt type to your project’s needs.
- Buy in Bulk: If you need a lot of dirt, get bulk dirt prices. The cost per yard is lower. See if friends or neighbors need dirt too and place a larger combined order if possible.
- Consider Delivery Fees: Get quotes that include delivery. Sometimes a slightly higher per-yard price from a closer supplier is cheaper than a lower per-yard price from a supplier far away due to a high delivery fee.
- Pick It Up Yourself: If you have a truck or can borrow/rent one, picking up the dirt avoids delivery fees. However, check the load limit of your vehicle – a cubic yard is heavy (often over 2000 lbs!). You might need multiple trips, which costs time and gas.
- Look for Free Fill Dirt: If your project only needs fill dirt for leveling or filling large areas where quality doesn’t matter, check online ads (like Craigslist) or call local construction/excavation companies. Sometimes they give away dirt for free if you haul it. Where to buy dirt in bulk for free is rare but possible for fill dirt. Be ready to inspect the dirt first!
- Check for Supplier Specials: Sometimes landscape yards have seasonal sales or discounts on certain products.
Inspecting the Dirt Before You Buy (If Possible)
If you are buying a large amount, especially topsoil or a blend for gardening, try to see the dirt before it’s delivered.
* Visit the supplier’s yard.
* Look at the pile of dirt.
* What color is it? Good topsoil is usually dark.
* Does it have a lot of rocks, roots, or trash? Screened dirt should have very little of this.
* Rub some between your fingers. Does it feel like good soil, or is it mostly sand or sticky clay?
* Does it have a bad smell (like rotten eggs)? This could mean it’s not well-composted or has drainage issues.
Reputable suppliers will let you see the dirt. If they won’t, be cautious.
What About Bagged Dirt?
You can buy dirt in bags from garden centers or hardware stores. These bags are usually measured in cubic feet or quarts.
A common bag size is 1 cubic foot or 1.5 cubic feet.
To get one cubic yard (27 cubic feet) using bags, you would need 27 bags if they are 1 cubic foot each, or 18 bags if they are 1.5 cubic feet each.
Bags are much more expensive per cubic yard than bulk dirt.
A 1 cubic foot bag might cost $4-$8.
To get 27 cubic feet (1 yard) at $5/bag, it would cost 27 * $5 = $135.
Compare this to the $10-$50 per yard for bulk dirt (plus delivery).
Bagged dirt is only good for very small jobs, like filling a few pots or a small planter box. For anything requiring a few wheelbarrows or more, bulk is cheaper.
Final Thoughts on Dirt Costs
The price you pay for a yard of dirt depends on many things: the type of dirt, how much you buy, how far it needs to travel, and where you buy it.
Basic fill dirt is the cheapest, while screened topsoil and special blends cost more.
Delivery fees are a big part of the total cost, especially for smaller orders.
Buying in bulk often lowers the price per cubic yard.
Always get quotes that include delivery to compare total costs.
Knowing how many cubic feet in a yard of dirt (27!) helps you calculate how much you need correctly.
Look for where to buy dirt in bulk from landscape yards or quarries for the best bulk prices.
Compare the cost of topsoil per yard, fill dirt cost per yard, and screened dirt cost from different places.
Factor in the delivered dirt price per yard and truckload of dirt cost for larger projects.
With some planning and checking prices, you can find the right dirt for your project without spending too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
H4 How much does one cubic yard of dirt weigh?
A cubic yard of dirt is heavy! The weight changes based on the type of dirt and how wet it is. On average, a cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 to 2,400 pounds (1 ton to 1.2 tons). Wet dirt can weigh even more, sometimes over 3,000 pounds per cubic yard.
H4 Can I mix different types of dirt?
Yes, you can. People often mix compost or other organic matter into topsoil to make it richer for gardening. You might also layer fill dirt for base filling and then cover it with topsoil for planting. Just make sure the types are suitable for mixing (e.g., don’t mix heavy clay with sandy soil unless you know what you’re doing to balance it).
H4 How big is a cubic yard pile of dirt?
A cubic yard takes up 27 cubic feet. When dumped, it won’t be a perfect 3x3x3 cube. It will form a cone shape. It might be roughly 4-5 feet wide at the base and 2-3 feet high in the center. The exact shape depends on the type of dirt and how it’s dumped.
H4 Is it cheaper to buy dirt in bags or in bulk?
It is much cheaper to buy dirt in bulk if you need more than a small amount (like a few bags). Bagged dirt costs significantly more per cubic foot or cubic yard than bulk dirt. Bulk is always better for larger projects.
H4 How do I know if the dirt is good quality?
Good topsoil is usually dark brown or black, has an earthy smell, crumbles easily in your hand (not sticky clay or too sandy), and is free of large rocks, roots, and trash. Ask the supplier if it’s screened and what the source is. If possible, look at the dirt before you buy.
H4 Will the delivery truck mess up my driveway or yard?
Dump trucks are very heavy. They can crack driveways, break concrete edges, or sink into soft lawns, especially when loaded. Talk to the supplier about where the truck can safely dump the dirt. You might need them to leave it on the street or a very strong part of your driveway.
H4 How far in advance do I need to order dirt?
It’s a good idea to order a few days in advance, especially during busy seasons like spring or fall. Some suppliers might be able to deliver the same day or next day, but planning ahead is safer.