Earthwork Calculator
Earthwork is sized by volume: the cut or fill is the area to be moved times its depth. This calculator multiplies length, width and depth in feet to get cubic feet, converts to cubic yards (the unit contractors price by), then applies a swell factor to find the loose volume you actually haul. It reports bank and loose cubic yards, the number of truckloads at your truck capacity, and the cost at your price per cubic yard, so you can plan an excavation or fill job with real numbers.
Earthwork volume formula
Cubic feet = length * width * depth
Bank cubic yards = cubic feet / 27
Loose cubic yards = bank cubic yards * (1 + swell / 100)
Truckloads = ceil(loose cubic yards / truck capacity)
Cost = bank cubic yards * price per cubic yard
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. The swell factor converts in-ground (bank) volume to the larger loose volume you haul. Truckloads round up because a partial load still uses a whole truck.
Earthwork context
- One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, the standard earthwork conversion.
- Swell factors vary by soil type; sand swells less than clay. Use a value for your material.
- Dump truck capacity varies; enter your truck's rated cubic yards.
- Bank volume is the in-ground measure; loose volume is what you haul after excavation.
- Compaction can reduce delivered fill volume; confirm with your supplier.
Earthwork: frequently asked questions
How is excavation volume calculated?
Bank volume equals area times depth. For a rectangular area, area is length times width. The calculator multiplies length, width and depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divides by 27 to give cubic yards, the standard unit for earthwork. A 30 by 20 foot area dug 2 feet deep is 1,200 cubic feet, or 44.44 cubic yards.
What is soil swell and why does it matter?
When soil is excavated it loosens and takes up more space than it did in the ground. The swell factor (a percentage) converts bank (in-ground) volume to loose volume for hauling. A 25 percent swell turns 44.44 bank cubic yards into about 55.56 loose cubic yards to truck away.
How many truckloads will the soil need?
Divide the loose volume by your truck capacity in cubic yards. A typical dump truck might carry 10 to 16 cubic yards; enter your truck's actual capacity. The calculator rounds up because a partial load still needs a whole truck.
How is the cost estimated?
Cost equals the bank cubic yards times the price per cubic yard you enter from your contractor or supplier. Because the rate is your own input, the estimate reflects local pricing rather than an assumed figure. Set it to your quoted unit cost for excavation or fill.
Does this work for fill as well as cut?
Yes. The same volume math applies whether you are removing soil (cut) or bringing it in (fill). For fill you usually order by loose or compacted volume, so apply the appropriate swell or compaction factor for the material your supplier delivers.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration: Construction Program.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: Units of Volume.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 16 June 2026. See our methodology.