Excavation calculator
Length, width and depth of the dig: you get the bank volume, the loose volume that goes on the truck, and the number of loads.
Volume to haul (loose)
81.747 yd³
Net measurement: 65.398 yd³ · Waste 25 %
- Truck loads6 trip
- Bank volume (in place)65.398 yd³
- Loose volume to haul81.747 yd³
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How it's calculated (visible formula)
bank = length × width × depth; loose = bank × (1 + swell); loads = ceil(loose ÷ truck capacity)
- Net geometric measurement, no waste.
- Adjustable waste % for cuts and breakage.
- Purchase rounded up to sellable units (boxes, bags, buckets, boards).
How to calculate it, step by step
- Lay out the dig and measure length, width and average depth (or split it into zones).
- Add over-dig working room around footings or walls (1–2 ft per side).
- Multiply for the bank volume.
- Apply soil swell to get the loose volume to haul.
- Divide by truck capacity and round up the loads.
Worked example: 33 × 16 × 3.3 ft dig
- Bank: 65 yd³ (50 m³)
- 25% swell → 82 yd³
- 82 ÷ 16 yd³ per truck
→ 6 truck loads.
Common mistakes
- Counting trucks from bank volume instead of loose volume.
- Forgetting over-dig working room around footings.
- Not planning a stockpile for backfill.
Pro tips
- Separate what stays for backfill from what goes to the dump.
- Ask the landfill for the fee per loose yard or per ton.
- With a high water table, price dewatering and shoring.
- Dig test holes first — hitting rock changes production and price completely.
From calculation to quote
Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.
FAQs
- How much does soil swell?
- About 10% for sand to 40% for clay; blasted rock 50% or more.
- How many yards in a dump truck?
- A tandem holds about 10–14 yd³; a tri-axle about 16 yd³.
- What about dump fees?
- Landfills charge per ton or loose yard — add it to the estimate.
- How do I find average depth on sloped ground?
- Take grade shots on a grid, average the depths and multiply by the area.
- How many truckloads can an excavator load per day?
- It depends on the machine and haul distance; dozens with a good cycle.
- What is over-dig?
- Extra room around a foundation for forming, waterproofing and backfill.
Sources and standards
Maintained by Srikanta M · Formula v1.0.0 · Verified 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Limits: quantity estimation, not structural design or site supervision.