How Much Does Fill Dirt Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Fill dirt deliveries cost an average of $832, with most homeowners spending between $341 and $1,333. The total cost of your project depends on factors like the type and quality of dirt, the amount you need, and your location. Planning your budget carefully ensures you have enough material to cover additional costs like delivery and labor. Hiring a professional for delivery and installation saves you the hassle of transporting and spreading large quantities of dirt, making your project efficient and safe.

Fill Dirt Cost Factors

Several key factors determine your total fill dirt costs, including the type of dirt, the amount you need, and delivery and labor expenses.

Type

The type of dirt significantly affects your total cost. Fill dirt costs less than topsoil, sand, mulch, or rock.

Fill dirt—a mixture of sand, clay, and rock fragments—is found beneath topsoil and lacks organic material. It's more stable than topsoil, making it ideal for filling holes, leveling land, and securing areas around retaining walls. You can choose filtered fill dirt, which is debris-free but may cost more, or opt for regular fill dirt.

By comparison, topsoil contains organic matter and minerals. Nutrient-rich topsoil works well in garden beds, grass lawns, and other forms of landscaping. It’s darker in color than fill dirt and costs more. Topsoil settles or erodes over time, so it’s less stable than fill dirt. Mulch is layered on top of topsoil to prevent weed growth.

Sand is another commonly used material in landscaping projects. It costs $15 to $40 per cubic yard. Sand is a good option in damp areas, like around septic tanks and ponds, because it absorbs moisture and provides good drainage.

Delivery

When requesting estimates from local dirt and soil delivery companies, some include delivery charges in the quoted fill dirt cost, while others charge a separate fee for delivering up to 15 cubic yards. They might also require a minimum order amount.

Delivery charges increase for large loads, remote locations, or hard-to-access areas. Larger trucks and longer distances cost more, and you may incur extra fees if you live far from the supplier. Companies might also add a fuel surcharge. Those without set delivery fees may charge $65 to $100 per hour.

Delivery fees often cover a single dump of materials in an area accessible to the delivery vehicle—at least 15 feet away from overhead trees and on solid, dry ground.

Labor

Dirt delivery often doesn't include moving fill dirt or topsoil into your backyard. Expect to pay extra for rough spreading after delivery. Local landscaping companies can assist with detailed designs and layouts.

Amount

Most suppliers quote dirt prices per cubic yard, but they may also offer pricing by the ton or truckload. The more fill dirt or topsoil you need, the higher the cost.

Buying in bulk can lead to discounts. While it's better to have slightly more than not enough, carefully calculate the amount you need to avoid overbuying.

Delivery Cost by Material

Along with fill dirt and topsoil, you may require the delivery of mulch, sand, rock, and other landscaping materials. These materials are often quoted per cubic yard or ton, similar to dirt. Here’s a look at common materials you may need delivered and their average prices.

Topsoil

Topsoil prices range from $12 to $55 per cubic yard. As you prep your lawn for summertime and other landscaping projects, you may need more topsoil to fill in low spots and prepare for new lawn seeding. High-quality topsoil and nutrient-rich superloam may help encourage healthier growth in prominent garden areas. However, more budget-friendly options can be a great way to save money in other areas of your yard.

Mulch

Nationwide, the cost of mulch for a three-inch layer across a 500-square-foot garden ranges from $100 to $300, averaging around $175. That works out to $50 to $150 per cubic yard or $150 to $550 per truckload.

Sand

The average cost of san is $15 to $40 per cubic yard or $5 to $30 per ton. Sand is a good option in damp areas, like around septic tanks and ponds, because it absorbs moisture and provides good drainage. For larger amounts, a 10- to 14-cubic-yard truckload of all-purpose sand costs $300 to $700, including delivery.

Rocks, Stones, and Gravel

Delivering rocks, stones, riprap, and gravel to your home ranges from $15 to $100 per ton or more, including delivery, working out to $20 to $120 per cubic yard.

Cubic yards of plain pea gravel cost the least. Decorative rocks, such as river, lava, and Mexican beach pebbles, are more expensive.

How to Calculate Your Coverage Needs

To calculate how much fill dirt you need for your project, take the following steps:

1. Measure the length and width of the area in feet.

2. Multiply them to get the square footage.

3. Determine the depth of fill dirt or topsoil in feet.

4. Multiply the square footage by the depth to get cubic feet.

5. Divide the cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards.

For example, if your area is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you need three inches (0.25 feet) of soil, your calculations will be:

• 20 ft x 10 ft = 200 sq ft

• 200 sq ft x 0.25 ft = 50 cubic ft

• 50 cubic ft ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards

One cubic yard of soil covers 324 square feet at a depth of one inch. So, one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet for three inches of topsoil.

Budgeting for Fill Dirt Delivery

To save money on fill dirt delivery, consider the following budget-friendly tips:

• Buy in bulk to lower the cost per cubic yard.

• Compare prices for different grades and types of dirt.

• Choose unscreened fill dirt for areas not used for planting.

• Calculate exactly how much dirt you need to avoid extra deliveries.

• Purchase during off-peak seasons like late fall or early spring when demand is lower.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.