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Construction & Design · F10

Pool Berm & Fill Dirt Calculator

Cubic yards of fill for a berm or raised area — with compaction factor, truckloads, and cost.

Measure the inputsOrder about 15% extra — loose fill compacts down once placed and settled.
Read the full resultA triangular (tapering) berm uses about half the fill of a rectangular block.
Check the boundaryCompact fill in lifts (layers), not all at once, for stable, settled ground.

Useful forConstruction & DesignPlanningComparisonVerification

Live calculation

Berm & fill inputs

✓ Checked May 2026

Enter the berm dimensions, shape, and fill type.

Change a value. See the result.

Required fields are marked *. Engine validation and warnings remain active.

Enter the known values. Let the engine handle the calculation.

✓ Formula checked↻ Live result○ No account needed

Planning estimate only. Confirm product labels, equipment specifications, qualified-professional advice and local requirements before acting.

The result, explained

Use the Pool Berm & Fill Dirt Calculator result with context.

Cubic yards of fill for a berm or raised area — with compaction factor, truckloads, and cost.

01

The purpose

What does this calculator estimate?

Cubic yards of fill for a berm or raised area — with compaction factor, truckloads, and cost.

02

The tool

What information does it use?

  • Berm length: enter a measured or verified value
  • Berm width: enter a measured or verified value
  • Berm height: enter a measured or verified value
  • Berm profile: Rectangular or tapering triangular profile.
  • Fill type: Topsoil, fill dirt, sand, or gravel.
  • Price per cubic yard: Delivered.
03

The method

How to use this calculator

  1. Berm lengthEnter the value you can verify.
  2. Berm widthEnter the value you can verify.
  3. Berm heightEnter the value you can verify.
  4. Berm profileRectangular or tapering triangular profile.
  5. Fill typeTopsoil, fill dirt, sand, or gravel.
  6. Price per cubic yardDelivered.
04

The relationship

The formula in plain English

Volume = L × W × H (rectangular) or ½ × L × W × H (triangular profile)

Cubic yards = cubic ft × 0.037. Order ~15% extra for compaction settling.
05

Worked through

A worked example: 20 × 8 × 3 ft rectangular berm, fill dirt

  1. Volume = 20 × 8 × 3 = 480 ft³
  2. CY = 480 × 0.037 = 17.8
  3. +15% compaction = 20.4 CY ordered
Fill ordered (incl. 15% compaction) for a rectangular berm.
Berm L×W×HRaw volumeCubic yardsOrdered CY
15 × 6 × 2 ft180 ft³6.7 CY7.7 CY
20 × 8 × 3 ft480 ft³17.8 CY20.4 CY
30 × 10 × 3 ft900 ft³33.3 CY38.3 CY
40 × 12 × 4 ft1,920 ft³71.1 CY81.8 CY
06

Why it matters

How the result supports the next decision

Order about 15% extra — loose fill compacts down once placed and settled.

A triangular (tapering) berm uses about half the fill of a rectangular block.

07

Good inputs

Improve the estimate before relying on it

  • Order about 15% extra — loose fill compacts down once placed and settled.
  • A triangular (tapering) berm uses about half the fill of a rectangular block.
  • Compact fill in lifts (layers), not all at once, for stable, settled ground.
  • Match fill type to purpose: structural fill dirt under loads, topsoil for planting.
  • Confirm truck access; fill is sold and delivered by the cubic yard.
08

The boundary

How to interpret the result

Confirm structural assumptions, site conditions and local requirements with qualified professionals.

The engine reports invalid inputs and safety warnings beside the result. Resolve those messages before using the estimate.

09

Before acting

What should override this estimate?

  • Measured site conditions and current test results
  • Product labels and manufacturer specifications
  • Qualified-professional advice and applicable local codes
10

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How much fill dirt do I need for a berm?

Multiply length by width by height for a rectangular berm, or take half of that for a tapering triangular profile, to get cubic feet, then convert to cubic yards. Add about 15 percent for compaction, since loose fill settles when placed. A 20-by-8-by-3-foot rectangular berm needs roughly 20 cubic yards ordered.

Why add a compaction factor to fill?

Delivered fill is loose and full of air; once spread and compacted it settles to a smaller volume. So you must order more loose material than the finished volume you want — about 15 percent more is typical. Skipping this leaves you short and with under-compacted, unstable ground.

What type of fill should I use?

It depends on purpose. Structural fill dirt or engineered fill goes under anything bearing load. Sand suits drainage and bedding. Gravel provides a stable, draining base. Topsoil is for the final planting layer, not for structural support. Using the wrong fill under a load risks settling and damage.

How do I build a stable berm?

Place and compact the fill in thin layers, called lifts, rather than dumping it all at once — each lift is compacted before the next is added. This produces dense, stable ground that won't settle unevenly later. The compaction factor in the calculator accounts for this volume reduction.

How many truckloads of fill dirt is that?

Fill is delivered by the cubic yard, and truck capacity varies, but a standard dump truck carries around 10 to 14 cubic yards. Divide your ordered cubic yards by the truck size and round up. Always confirm the delivery truck can access the placement area before ordering.

How many cubic yards of fill for a berm?

L×W×H (or half that for a tapering berm) ÷ 27, plus ~15% for compaction.

Why does fill dirt need extra for compaction?

Loose fill settles when compacted, so order about 15% more than the finished volume.

What fill goes under a load?

Structural fill dirt or engineered fill — not topsoil, which is for the planting layer only.

Primary sources

Use the result with current guidance.

These official references support safe planning context. Product labels, local requirements and qualified-professional advice take priority over a general calculator estimate.