Fill Dirt vs Stone Dust

Fill Dirt

Subsoil material free of organic matter, used for grading, filling, and raising elevation. Fill dirt is a lower-grade soil that lacks the nutrients of topsoil, making it ideal for structural and non-growing applications where settling must be minimized.

Stone Dust

Stone dust is a finely crushed aggregate made up of stone particles smaller than 1/4 inch. It compacts tightly when installed and lightly moistened, creating a firm, smooth surface ideal for leveling and base preparation.

Fill Dirt

• ✓ Grading
• ✓ Filling depressions
• ✓ Raising elevation
• ✓ Backfill
• ✓ Construction site prep
• ✓ Under slabs

Stone Dust

• ✓ Paver base
• ✓ Walkways
• ✓ Patios
• ✓ Leveling layer
• ✓ Pathways

Fill Dirt

• + Very affordable — often cheapest material available
• + Compacts firmly for structural support
• + Does not decompose or settle like organic soil
• + Widely available from construction sites
• + Ideal base under gravel or concrete

• − Not suitable for growing plants
• − Must be free of debris and contaminants
• − May contain clay that drains poorly
• − Needs compaction in layers for stability
• − Quality varies widely between sources

Stone Dust

• + Compacts very tightly
• + Creates a smooth, level surface
• + Affordable and widely available
• + Easy to shape and grade

• − Poor drainage
• − Can become muddy if overwatered
• − Dusty when dry
• − Erodes without edging

Fill Dirt

Fine to coarse soil particles, free of organic matter like roots, grass, or leaves. Color ranges from tan to reddish-brown depending on local geology. "Clean fill" means free of debris, rocks larger than 3", and contaminants.

Stone Dust

Fine crushed stone particles under 1/4 inch. Color varies by source rock and is typically gray or tan.