By the Earthstone Materials Team · Last updated: September 26, 2026
The difference is one word: screened. Clean Fill Dirt #1 is screened and debris-free; Fill Dirt #2 is unscreened and may contain roots, clay chunks, and other material from the dig. Use #1 anywhere the dirt sits under something important, and #2 anywhere you just need to move grade cheaply and in bulk.
What Clean Fill Dirt #1 is
Screened fill dirt, free of debris. It compacts evenly and predictably, which is what you need under slabs, sheds, pavers, and clean pads. Because it is uniform, it settles less and compacts to a firmer finish than unscreened fill.
What Fill Dirt #2 is
Unscreened fill from excavation. It still does the job of raising grade, filling low spots, building swales, and backfilling, but it is not uniform and can contain organics that decompose. Never use it under anything structural.
Side-by-side comparison
| Clean Fill Dirt #1 | Fill Dirt #2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screened | Yes; debris-free | No; unscreened excavation fill |
| Consistency | Uniform, compacts evenly | Variable; may contain clay, roots, debris |
| Compaction | Predictable, firm | Less predictable; allow for settling |
| Best for | Under slabs, sheds, paver bases, clean building pads | Raising grade, filling low spots, swales, bulk backfill |
| Not for | Planting on its own (no nutrients) | Under slabs or anything structural |
How to choose
- Under a slab, shed, or pad: Clean Fill Dirt #1, compacted in lifts.
- Raising a yard or filling a dip: Fill Dirt #2 is fine and economical; overfill slightly where settling is acceptable.
- Growing anything on it: whichever fill brings you to grade, then 2 to 4 inches of topsoil blend on top.
Both are delivered by the cubic yard with a 4-yard minimum. See Clean Fill Dirt #1 and Fill Dirt #2 for details, estimate your yardage with our material calculator, or request a quote.