A cubic yard of dirt usually weighs about 2,000 pounds (roughly 1 ton) when dry, and it can reach 2,500ā3,000 pounds when wet. The exact weight depends on the soil type and moisture: loose, dry topsoil is lighter, while compacted clay or wet fill dirt is heavier. A cubic yard of topsoil generally falls in the 1,500ā3,000 pound range.
Weight of a Cubic Yard by Material
| Material | Approx. weight per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Topsoil (dry, loose) | 1,500ā2,200 lb |
| Topsoil (wet) | 2,500ā3,000 lb |
| Fill dirt | About 2,000ā2,700 lb |
| Clay | About 2,500ā3,000 lb |
| Sand (dry) | About 2,600ā2,800 lb |
| Gravel | About 2,400ā3,000 lb |
| Mulch | About 400ā800 lb |
These are typical rangesāyour supplier can tell you the weight of their specific product.
What Affects How Much Dirt Weighs?
- Moisture: the biggest factor. Rain-soaked soil is much heavier.
- Soil type: clay and sand are denser than loamy topsoil.
- Compaction: loose, screened soil weighs less than compacted dirt.
- Organic matter: compost-rich soil is lighter.
- Rocks and debris: add weight to unscreened fill.
Will 1 Yard of Dirt Fit in a Pickup Truck?
A full-size pickup bed can usually hold a cubic yard by volume, but the weight is the issue. One yard of soil (about 2,000+ lb) can exceed the payload of many half-ton trucks, especially when wet. Check your truck’s payload rating on the door stickerāmany people haul half a yard at a time or choose delivery.
How Many Bags of Topsoil Are in a Yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet (see how many cubic feet in a cubic yard). Bagged topsoil is often around 0.75 cubic feet per 40 lb bag, so you’d need roughly 36 bags for one yard. Divide 27 by the cubic feet printed on your bag for an exact count.
How Many Yards Is 3,000 lb of Dirt?
At about 2,000 lb per dry cubic yard, 3,000 lb is about 1.5 cubic yards. If the soil is wet (about 3,000 lb per yard), it’s closer to 1 cubic yard.
Bulk Delivery vs Bags
Pros
- Bulk delivery is cheaper per yard and saves hauling
- Bags are easy for small jobs
- Bags store neatly and stay clean
Cons
- Bulk deliveries leave a pile to move
- Bags cost much more per yard
- Hauling bulk soil yourself risks overloading your vehicle
Work out how much you need with our soil calculator or cubic yard calculator.
 dry and up to 3,000 lb wet. See weights for topsoil, fill dirt, clay and sand, plus truck tips.){kind=link}