How Much Does Fill dirt Weigh?
Subsoil used for grading, filling holes, and raising ground level. Compacted fill can reach 2,500–2,700 lbs/cu yd.
Fill dirt is just subsoil -- the layer beneath topsoil -- with little to no organic matter and none of the screening topsoil gets. It isn't meant to grow anything; it's meant to occupy space, raise a low spot, or give a foundation something solid to sit on.
Because it skips the organic amendments and screening process, fill dirt usually costs less than topsoil, sometimes considerably so. It may still contain small rocks or clay clumps, which is fine for its purpose since nothing is expected to root in it.
What Fill dirt Is Used For
- Filling in holes after removing a tree stump or old pool
- Raising the grade around a foundation for drainage
- Building up a base under a shed or patio
- Filling trenches after utility work
- Leveling a yard before adding topsoil on top
- Compacting as structural fill under driveways
Weight Facts
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,200 lbs
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,200 lbs
- Weight per cubic foot
- 81 lbs
- Weight per ton (yards)
- 0.91 cu yd
- Category
- Soil & Fill
How Much Fill dirt Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (cubic yards) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 0.68 | 2,713 lbs ⚠ |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 0.68 | 2,762 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.64 | 3,414 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 0.68 | 3,414 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.64 | 3,414 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 0.66 | 3,414 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 0.71 | 3,528 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 0.53 | 3,267 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 0.50 | 2,803 lbs ⚠ |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 0.55 | 2,893 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 0.69 | 5,076 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 0.73 | 5,842 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 0.68 | 5,842 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 0.56 | 5,011 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 0.68 | 5,345 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 0.66 | 4,856 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 1.36 | 6,396 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 1.82 | 6,396 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 2.50 | 6,396 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.45 | 6,804 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.45 | 6,804 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.59 | 6,804 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.59 | 6,804 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 0.89 | 6,087 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 2.85 | 6,087 lbs |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Fill dirt: What to Know
Loose fill dirt runs close to 2,200 lbs per cubic yard, similar to topsoil, but that number climbs fast once it's compacted. Packed down with a plate compactor or the weight of equipment driving over it, fill dirt settles to 2,500-2,700 lbs per cubic yard as air pockets get squeezed out.
That compaction jump matters for load planning too -- a truck bed loaded with fill dirt that then gets rained on or vibrated during transport can settle and shift weight unevenly. Load it evenly across the bed, and remember that a full yard of this dense material can exceed the payload of a half-ton truck on its own before anything else is added.
Buying & Ordering Fill dirt
Fill dirt is a bulk product almost across the board, priced and delivered by the cubic yard since bagging something with no gardening purpose would waste packaging. When ordering, ask whether the fill is clean (free of construction debris, asphalt chunks, or organic waste), since some suppliers offload lower-grade material as fill.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
⚠ Overloaded — 700 lbs over capacity
This load exceeds the published payload rating and may damage the truck's suspension, frame, tires, and brakes. Reduce quantity or use a higher-rated truck.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
2 trips needed with your Ford Maverick
Could a rental truck do this in fewer trips?
Fill dirt — Frequently Asked Questions
- Is fill dirt the same as topsoil?
- No. Fill dirt is subsoil with little to no organic matter, meant for filling and grading. Topsoil is screened, organically richer soil meant to support plant growth.
- Why does fill dirt get heavier after it's compacted?
- Compaction pushes out air pockets between soil particles, packing more mass into the same volume. Loose fill runs about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard; compacted it can reach 2,500-2,700 lbs.
- Can fill dirt contain rocks or debris?
- Some rocks and clumps are normal and don't affect its use as fill. Clean fill dirt should still be free of trash, asphalt, or construction debris -- confirm with your supplier before ordering.
- How much does Fill dirt weigh per cubic yard?
- Fill dirt weighs approximately 2,200 lbs per cubic yard. Subsoil used for grading, filling holes, and raising ground level. Compacted fill can reach 2,500–2,700 lbs/cu yd.
- How much Fill dirt can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.68 cubic yards of Fill dirt.
- How many cubic yards per ton of Fill dirt?
- Fill dirt weighs 2,200 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.91 cubic yards.
Related Material Weights
- Topsoil — 2,200 lbs/yd³
- Clay — 2,800 lbs/yd³
- Sandy loam — 2,250 lbs/yd³
Helpful Guides
- Cubic Yards, Tons, and Bags: A Material Conversion Guide
How to convert between cubic yards, tons, and bags for gravel, sand, soil, and mulch — with the density figures and formulas that make the math work.
- What Happens If You Overload Your Truck?
Overloading a pickup risks tickets, tire blowouts, brake failure, frame damage, and a voided warranty. Here is what actually happens and how to stay legal and safe.