How Much Does a Cubic Foot of Soil Weigh?
A cubic foot of soil weighs between 74 and 110 pounds, depending on the type of soil and how moist it is. Dry, loose dirt weighs about 76 pounds per cubic foot, while moist, loose dirt weighs 78 pounds per cubic foot. A cubic foot of top soil weighs about 96 pounds, and a cubic foot of dry, screened top soil weighs 44 to 48 pounds.
A cubic foot of clay weighs approximately 100 pounds if dry and 110 pounds when moist.
Estimating the weight of soil is important when transporting it. A truckload of average dirt is about 18 cubic yards, or 486 cubic feet, which can be multiplied by the weight per cubic foot of the particular type of soil. A regular wheelbarrow carries 2 to 3 cubic feet of dirt, and a large wheelbarrow holds about 5 cubic feet of dirt. It would take approximately 194 trips with a regular wheelbarrow to empty a truckload of dirt.
A square foot of soil covers approximately 6 square feet if spread 2 inches deep, 4 square feet if spread 3 inches deep, 3 square feet if spread 4 inches deep, and 2 square feet if spread 6 inches deep.
