Excavation Calculator
Estimate how much dirt you need to dig and haul — from length, width, and depth, with a swell factor for loose soil and the number of truckloads to remove it.
How to Use
- Enter the length, width, and depth of the dig in feet to set the in-ground volume.
- Leave swell at 25% for typical soil, or adjust — loose dirt takes up more space than the hole it came from.
- Set the truck capacity in cubic yards (10–14 yd³ is a common dump truck).
- Read the bank volume, loose volume after swell, and the number of truckloads to haul it away.
- Check the step-by-step Show Work below to see every figure.
Show Work
Notes
About the Excavation Calculator
Whether you are at a desk or on your phone, the Excavation Calculator makes building, materials estimation and site work easy — and it is completely free. Estimate how much dirt you need to dig and haul — from length, width, and depth, with a swell factor for loose soil and the number of truckloads to remove it.
How it works
Type your numbers into the boxes. The answer shows up right away — you do not have to press a button. If you change a number, the answer changes too. So you can try different numbers and watch what happens, or check an answer you worked out yourself. Just make sure each box has the right kind of number in it.
Want the deeper story? The Knowledge Base explains the ideas behind the tools in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between bank and loose volume?
Bank volume is the soil measured in place, in the ground. Loose volume is the same soil after it is dug up and bulked, which takes more space because of the air mixed in. This tool reports both — order trucking by the loose figure since that is what fills the bed.
What is soil swell and how much should I use?
Swell is the percentage a soil expands once excavated. Common dirt and clay swell about 25%, sand a little less, and rock can swell 50% or more. The 25% default is a safe middle ground; if you know the material, set it to match for a tighter haul estimate.
How many truckloads will the dig take?
Divide the loose volume by the truck capacity and round up, since you cannot send a partial load on the last trip. A standard tandem dump truck carries roughly 10–14 cubic yards. The calculator uses your entered capacity so you can match the trucks you have lined up.
Does this include over-dig or shoring?
No — this is the neat-line volume of the prism you enter. Real excavations need extra width for sloping, benching, or shoring to keep the sides safe, plus working room around footings. Add that allowance to your dimensions before calculating for a realistic haul-off.
How is a cubic yard related to cubic feet?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 × 3 × 3). Excavation and trucking are priced by the yard, so the tool divides the cubic-foot volume by 27 to get bank yards before applying swell. That keeps your order in the same units the haulers quote.
How do I use the Excavation Calculator?
Just type your numbers. The answer shows up right away — there is no button to press. Change anything and it updates by itself.
Is it free? Does it work without internet?
Yes to both. It is free with no sign-up, and once the page has loaded it keeps working even with no internet.
Where does my data go?
Nowhere — every calculation runs on your own device. Nothing you enter is uploaded, logged, or stored.
Common Use Cases
Digging a basement
Turn the footprint and depth into loose yards and truckloads so you can schedule haul-off.
Trenching for footings
Size a long, narrow trench dig and order the right number of trucks to clear the spoil.
Excavating a pool
Estimate the dirt from a pool dig and budget the trucking before the machine arrives.
Cutting a building pad
Work out a shallow site cut over a large area and how many loads it removes.
Bidding earthwork
Compare a contractor’s haul quantity against the hole you measured to keep a bid honest.
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