Short answer
A cubic yard of dirt costs about $5 to $30 for fill dirt and $10 to $50 for topsoil, before delivery. Delivery usually adds $50 to $170 per load. A full dump truck of 10 to 14 yards of fill dirt runs about $150 to $400 delivered.
The price depends mostly on what kind of dirt you buy, how much you order and how far it has to travel. Below are price ranges by type from published cost guides, what delivery and truckloads cost, and worked examples you can copy for your own project.
Price per cubic yard by type of dirt
| Type | HomeGuide | Second source | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill dirt (common, subsoil) | $5 to $20 | $8 to $15 (Hello Gravel) | Filling holes, rough grading |
| Clean fill dirt | $8 to $25 | $12 to $20 (Hello Gravel) | Backfill, landscaping fill |
| Structural fill | $10 to $30 | $15 to $30 (Hello Gravel) | Under slabs, driveways, foundations |
| Unscreened topsoil | $10 to $35 | $10 to $28 (Lawn Love) | Rough grading under lawns |
| Screened topsoil | $20 to $40 | $20 to $40 (Lawn Love) | New lawns, garden beds |
| Black dirt | $15 to $25 | $15 to $25 (Lawn Love) | Lawns and planting areas |
| Screened loam | $18 to $26 | Not listed | Lawns, shrubs, flower beds |
Fill dirt is the cheapest because it is subsoil with little organic matter, sold for building up grade. Screened topsoil costs the most because it has been sifted to remove rocks and clumps so plants can root in it. If the dirt will be buried under something else, there is no reason to pay for screened topsoil.
What delivery, minimums and spreading add
- Delivery: $50 to $150 per trip according to HomeGuide, and $80 to $170 according to Lawn Love. Some suppliers include delivery within about 10 miles; others quote it separately.
- Minimum orders: HomeGuide notes that some deliveries require 10 to 20 yards. On a small order, a flat delivery fee can cost more than the dirt.
- Spreading: delivery is a single dump. Having it spread adds about $200 to $400 (HomeGuide).
- Picking it up yourself: a loader scoop at the supply yard costs about $10 to $30 (HomeGuide), if you have a truck or trailer that can carry the weight.
How much is a truckload of dirt?
HomeGuide puts a dump truck load of fill dirt, about 10 to 14 cubic yards, at $150 to $400 including delivery up to 10 miles. A truckload of topsoil, about 10 to 15 cubic yards, runs $150 to $500.
| Truckload (10 to 14 yd³) | Price delivered |
|---|---|
| Standard fill dirt | $150 to $250 |
| Clean fill dirt | $200 to $300 |
| Structural fill dirt | $250 to $400 |
| Topsoil (10 to 15 yd³) | $150 to $500 |
How much fits on one load depends on the truck. Ask your supplier for their exact load size before you work out how many trips you need.
Worked examples
These use the price ranges above. Replace them with quotes from your area for a real budget.
Topsoil for a 400 sq ft lawn area, 4 inches deep
400 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 133.3 ft³ ÷ 27 = 4.94 yd³, order 5 yd³
At $20 to $40 per yard for screened topsoil, the dirt costs $100 to $200. Add $50 to $150 for delivery and the total is about $150 to $350.
Fill dirt for a 12 ft × 10 ft hole, 18 inches deep
12 × 10 × 1.5 = 180 ft³ ÷ 27 = 6.67 yd³ packed × 1.25 = 8.33 yd³ loose, order 9 yd³
Fill dirt packs down, so you order more than the hole holds; the Fill Dirt Calculator explains the 25 percent allowance used here. At $5 to $20 per yard, 9 yards of fill costs $45 to $180. With $50 to $150 delivery, the total is about $95 to $330.
Bags or bulk for 5 cubic yards of topsoil
HomeGuide lists bagged topsoil at $2 to $6 for a 40 lb bag holding 1 to 1.5 cubic feet. Five cubic yards is 135 cubic feet, or 90 to 135 bags: about $180 to $810. The same 5 yards in bulk at $20 to $40 per yard plus $50 to $150 delivery is about $150 to $350. For more than a yard or two, bulk usually wins.
How big is a yard of dirt?
A yard of dirt means one cubic yard: a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, which holds 27 cubic feet. It weighs about a ton. Loose dirt is about 2,050 to 2,100 pounds per cubic yard, and wet clay can reach about 2,970 pounds, based on Engineering ToolBox densities.
How far one yard goes depends on the depth you spread it:
| Depth | One cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
To size your own order, enter your area in the Dirt Calculator. It gives cubic yards, weight, bags and truckloads, and adds cost when you enter your local price.
How to pay less for dirt
- Compare quotes by the delivered price per yard, not the dirt price alone.
- Buy fill or unscreened soil for anything that will be buried, and save screened topsoil for the top few inches where plants grow.
- Order the right amount the first time. A second delivery fee costs more than a little extra dirt.
- Combine small jobs into one order to reach full-load pricing.
- Pick up a yard or two yourself if your truck or trailer is rated for the weight: about a ton per yard.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a yard of dirt?
About $5 to $30 per cubic yard for fill dirt and $10 to $50 for topsoil, before delivery, based on HomeGuide and Hello Gravel price ranges. Delivery usually adds $50 to $170 per load.
How much is a yard of topsoil?
HomeGuide lists bulk topsoil at $10 to $50 per cubic yard: $10 to $35 unscreened and $20 to $40 screened. Delivery is extra, usually $50 to $150 per trip.
How much is a truckload of dirt?
A dump truck load of fill dirt, about 10 to 14 cubic yards, costs $150 to $400 delivered within 10 miles according to HomeGuide. A truckload of topsoil costs $150 to $500.
How much does a yard of dirt weigh?
About a ton. Loose dirt weighs about 2,050 to 2,100 pounds per cubic yard, and wet clay about 2,970 pounds, based on Engineering ToolBox densities.
How much area does a yard of dirt cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 81 square feet at 4 inches and 54 square feet at 6 inches. Divide 27 by the depth in feet to get the coverage.
Is it cheaper to buy dirt in bags or in bulk?
Bulk is usually cheaper for more than a yard or two. Bagged topsoil works out to about $35 to $120 per cubic yard according to HomeGuide, while bulk topsoil is $10 to $50 per yard plus a delivery fee.
Sources
- HomeGuide, Fill Dirt, Sand and Topsoil Delivery Costs, by Sarah Noel, dated September 8, 2023.
- Lawn Love, How Much Does Topsoil Cost, by Melanie Joseph, updated December 27, 2025.
- Hello Gravel, How Much Is a Yard of Dirt? Fill Dirt Cost (2026), by Alan Kofman.
- Engineering ToolBox, Dirt and Mud Densities.