Cut and Fill Volume Calculator

Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham. Average end area earthwork method. Last verified 15 June 2026.

The cut and fill volume calculator estimates earthwork volumes for site grading using the average end area method. Enter the cross-sectional areas of cut and fill at two stations, the distance between stations, and swell/shrinkage factors for your soil type. The calculator returns the bank cut volume, the compacted fill volume required, and whether you have excess material to waste or a deficit requiring borrow. This is the standard method used in highway and civil engineering earthwork calculations.

Cut area at station 1 (sq ft or sq m)

Cut area at station 2 (sq ft or sq m)

Fill area at station 1 (sq ft or sq m)

Fill area at station 2 (sq ft or sq m)

Distance between stations (ft or m)

Swell factor (e.g. 1.15 for 15% swell)

Shrinkage factor (e.g. 0.90 for 10% shrinkage)

Bank cut volume

0.00

Fill volume needed (compacted)

0.00

Balance (+ = waste, - = borrow)

0.00

Average end area earthwork formula

Bank cut = L * (Cut1 + Cut2) / 2
Fill needed = L * (Fill1 + Fill2) / 2
Adjusted cut (loose) = Bank cut * Swell factor
Compacted cut available = Adjusted cut * Shrinkage factor
Balance = Compacted cut available - Fill needed

A positive balance means surplus material that must be wasted or used elsewhere. A negative balance means additional borrow material must be imported.

Typical swell and shrinkage factors

Common earth (loam): swell 1.10-1.25, shrinkage 0.85-0.90.
Sandy soil: swell 1.05-1.15, shrinkage 0.90-0.95.
Clay: swell 1.25-1.40, shrinkage 0.80-0.90.
Rock (blasted): swell 1.50-1.80 (rock does not shrink when placed as riprap or fill).
Always use project-specific soil test data when available.

Cut and fill volume calculator: frequently asked questions

What is cut and fill in site grading?

Cut is the volume of soil excavated from high areas to lower the grade. Fill is the volume of soil needed to raise low areas. Balanced earthwork means the cut volume equals the fill volume, eliminating the need to import or export material.

What is the average end area method?

The average end area method estimates the volume between two cross-sections as V = L * (A1 + A2) / 2, where L is the distance between sections and A1, A2 are the cross-sectional areas. It is the most common method in US highway earthwork calculations.

What is a swell factor and why does it matter?

When soil is excavated (cut), it expands (swells). The swell factor is the ratio of the loose volume to the bank (in-place) volume. Common soils swell 10-30%. This means 100 cubic yards of cut may yield 115-130 loose yards but compact back to only 85-90 yards of fill, creating an imbalance.

What is a shrinkage factor?

Shrinkage (or compaction factor) is the ratio of compacted fill volume to loose volume. When you place and compact soil, it occupies less volume than its loose state. A shrinkage factor of 0.85 means 100 cubic yards of loose material compacts to 85 cubic yards.

How do I balance cut and fill?

Balance requires that compacted fill volume equals the bank cut volume after accounting for swell and shrinkage. A mass haul diagram is used for complex projects to minimize hauling distance. For simple grading, adjust finish grade elevations until cut bank volume equals fill compacted volume.

Official sources

USGS: USGS topographic and geospatial data.
NOAA National Geodetic Survey: NGS vertical control and elevation.

Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.