How Much Fill Dirt for a 12x16 Area?
For a 12x16 area of fill dirt at 6 inches deep, you need about 3.56 cubic yards - roughly 192 bags (0.5 cu ft bag), about 4.44 tons. The amount changes with depth; the table below shows common depths, and you can adjust everything in the calculator.
Based on a 12x16 area (192 sq ft). One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; bags are 0.5 cu ft bag.
Measure the average depth you need to fill or raise; for holes, estimate the average depth.
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You need about
Weight is an estimate (1.0-1.5 tons per cubic yard); actual weight varies with material and moisture.
Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise grade, fill holes, and build up low areas - it has little organic matter, so it compacts well and is cheaper than topsoil. Use fill dirt for the bulk, then cap it with topsoil where you want to plant.
For an uneven hole, estimate the average depth across the area rather than the deepest point.
Other fill dirt amounts
Same area, other materials
Need a different size? Open the full Fill Dirt calculator →