how many cubic yards in a load of dirt

When it comes to gardening or landscaping, one of the most important things to consider is the amount of dirt you need for your project. Knowing how to measure the amount of dirt you'll need can save you a lot of time, effort, and money. Moreover, when ordering dirt, you need to know how much you're getting for your money. In this article, we'll discuss how many cubic yards there are in a load of dirt.

What Is a Cubic Yard?

Before we start discussing the amount of dirt in a load, let's first define what a cubic yard is. A cubic yard is a unit of volume that measures 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet or 27 cubic feet. This is equivalent to 202 gallons or 764 liters. It is used to measure large quantities of materials such as soil, sand, and gravel.

How Much Dirt Is in a Load?

The amount of dirt in a load can vary depending on a few factors, such as the type of dirt, how densely it is packed, and where you live. However, a typical load of dirt from a landscaping or construction company is about 16 cubic yards. This amount is enough to cover an area of about 160 square feet with one inch of soil.

Calculating the Amount of Dirt You Need

If you're planning to buy dirt for your gardening or landscaping project, you need to know how much dirt you'll need. To calculate this, you'll need to know the area of the space you want to cover and the depth of soil you need. For example, if you want to cover a garden that measures 20 feet by 30 feet with three inches of soil, you'll need to calculate the volume in cubic yards. To do this, multiply the length by the width by the depth (in feet) and divide the result by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard):20 feet x 30 feet x 0.25 feet (three inches is 0.25 feet) = 150 cubic feet150 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yardsTherefore, you'll need about 5.56 cubic yards of dirt to cover a garden that measures 20 feet by 30 feet with three inches of soil.

Conclusion

Knowing how many cubic yards are in a load of dirt and how to calculate the amount of dirt you need can help you plan your gardening or landscaping project more effectively. It's essential to know how much dirt you need to avoid under or overbuying, wasting time, effort, and money. Now that you have an idea of how to measure dirt, you can start planning your dream garden or landscaping project with confidence.