# Fill Dirt: Weight, Compaction and Uses
Fill dirt is unscreened subsoil used as structural fill for grading, foundations, driveways, and low-spot repair. It weighs approximately 2,000–2,700 lb per cubic yard and compacts by about 10–15%. For stable results, compact it in 6–8-inch lifts and never build over uncompacted fill.
## Weight
How do I calculate how much fill dirt I need?
Bulk fill dirt weighs ~2,000–2,700 lb per cubic yard depending on moisture and clay content. Compact in 6–8″ lifts with a plate compactor or jumping jack — filling too deep in one pass leaves voids that settle later.
For lawn areas over fill, cap with 4–6″ of screened topsoil. Never build over uncompacted fill.
What is fill dirt used for?
- Grading and leveling
- Filling low spots or old pools
- Building up around foundations
- Berms and retaining wall backfill
Which types of fill dirt are there?
What else do people ask about fill dirt?
Is fill dirt the same as topsoil?
No. Fill dirt is subsoil for structural fill; topsoil is for growing plants.
How much does a yard of fill dirt weigh?
2,000–2,700 lb, higher when wet.
How do you compact fill dirt?
In 6–8 inch lifts with a plate compactor or jumping jack, at optimum moisture.