Dirt, Soil & Gravel Weight Guide
How much fill material weighs and how much fits in a dumpster.
Material Weight Reference
| Material | Weight / yd³ | Yd³ to hit 2 tons |
|---|---|---|
| Dry topsoil | ~2,000 lbs | 2.5 |
| Moist topsoil | ~2,200 lbs | 2.3 |
| Wet clay soil | ~2,800 lbs | 1.8 |
| Sod | ~2,500 lbs | 2.0 |
| Sand (dry) | ~2,700 lbs | 1.9 |
| Pea gravel | ~2,800 lbs | 1.8 |
| #57 limestone | ~2,600 lbs | 1.9 |
| Crushed stone (#2) | ~2,700 lbs | 1.9 |
| Mulch (for comparison) | ~500 lbs | 10 |
Common Excavation Project Weights
| Project | Cubic Yards | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Flower bed regrade (200 sq ft × 6″) | ~3.7 | ~8,100 lbs |
| Pool spoil pile (small) | 10–15 | ~11–17 tons |
| Trench (8 ft × 4 ft × 2 ft) | ~2.4 | ~5,300 lbs |
| Sod removal (1,000 sq ft × 2″) | ~6.2 | ~15,500 lbs |
| Driveway gravel base (20×20×6″) | ~7.4 | ~20,700 lbs |
Cheaper Alternatives Before You Book
- Give it away. Hendricks & Morgan County homeowners often want free fill for low spots — post a Marketplace listing first.
- Soil reclamation yards. Several Indianapolis-area yards accept clean dirt for low fees. Best for 5+ yd³ projects.
- Partial dumpster load. For 1–3 yd³, a dumpster is usually the easiest path.
Dirt & Gravel Disposal FAQs
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
Dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 lbs per cubic yard (1 ton). Moist topsoil weighs ~2,200–2,400 lbs/yd³. Wet or clay-heavy soil can reach 2,700–3,000 lbs/yd³. Indiana topsoil is typically on the heavier side because of clay content.
How much does gravel weigh?
Pea gravel and #57 stone weigh about 2,800 lbs per cubic yard (~1.4 tons). Crushed limestone runs 2,400–2,700 lbs/yd³. Sand is similar — about 2,600–3,000 lbs/yd³ depending on moisture.
Can I put dirt or gravel in a dumpster?
Yes — but always a partial load. The 2-ton (4,000 lb) included allowance on a 16-yard fills with about 4.6 yd³ of dirt or 3.6 yd³ of gravel. Loads above that are charged $0.06/lb overage; max per pull is ~10 tons.
What's the cheapest way to get rid of dirt from a yard project?
Three options, in order: (1) give it away free on local marketplace listings — Hendricks County homeowners often want fill; (2) take it to a soil reclamation yard yourself; (3) a partial dumpster load. For 2 yd³ or less, a dumpster usually wins on convenience.
How much dirt comes out of a typical project?
A 6 ft × 6 ft × 6 ft hole = 8 yd³ ≈ 9 tons. A standard 8' × 4' × 2' trench = ~2.4 yd³ ≈ 2.6 tons. A flower bed regrade (200 sq ft × 6″) = ~3.7 yd³. Always estimate before booking — we'll tell you if you need more than one pull.
Do you take sod and yard waste in the same load?
Yes. Sod weighs roughly 2,500 lbs per cubic yard (it's mostly dirt). Mixing sod with light yard waste (branches, leaves) is fine — but the sod still drives the weight.
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