This excavation calculator turns dig dimensions into the numbers earthwork actually runs on: bank cubic yards in the ground, loose yards after swell, and dump-truck loads to haul them.

Bank Volume (in ground)–
Loose Volume (to haul)–
Truck Loads–
Approx. Weight–

Weight assumes ≈ 2,700 lb per loose yd³ for common earth (varies 2,200–3,000+ by moisture and material — clay heavy, dry sand lighter). The reverse phenomenon matters for backfill: compacted fill shrinks below its loose volume (shrinkage ~10%), so ordering exactly the hole’s volume leaves you short; pros order bank-equivalent plus compaction allowance.

Bank Yards × Swell = Loose Yards = Truck Loads

Undisturbed soil is compacted by geology; digging fluffs it — the same dirt occupies 12–55% more space in the truck (swell), which is why excavation bids quote bank yards and hauling quotes charge loose ones. General volume work lives on our Cubic Yard Calculator; this page adds the earthwork-specific swell/shrink layer. Part of our Construction Calculators collection.

Worked Example (Verified)

  • 20 × 10 × 3 ft dig (defaults): 600 ft³ = 22.2 bank yd³; common earth swells ×1.25 → 27.8 loose yd³ → 3 loads of a 10-yd truck, ≈ 37 tons
  • The driveway surprise scaled: a modest pool dig (32 × 16 × 5 ft) = 94.8 bank → ~118 loose yd³ → 12 loads — the line item homeowners chronically underestimate
  • Rock changes everything: blasted rock swells ×1.55 and weighs more per yard; ledge in the dig is a budget event, not a rounding error
  • Backfill reversal: refilling the 22.2-yd³ hole with compacted select fill needs ≈ 24–25 loose yd³ delivered (shrinkage), minus structures’ displacement (footings, tanks) — two corrections in opposite directions on the same project

Field Discipline

  • Sloped or benched trench walls (OSHA soil classes) add volume the neat rectangle ignores — figure side slopes for anything deep or in weak soil.
  • Trucks are also weight-limited: a 10-yd³ truck of wet clay can hit legal payload before volume — the tons line is your check.
  • Stockpile geometry: loose spoils form cones at the angle of repose (~30–40°) — a 28-yd³ pile sprawls ~14 ft across; plan the site before the hole plans it for you.
  • Disposal fees are per load or per ton depending on facility cleanliness class — clean fill vs contaminated changes the economics entirely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is soil swell and why does it matter?

Swell (bulking) is the volume increase when undisturbed “bank” soil is excavated: loosened soil traps air voids, expanding ~12% (topsoil) to ~55% (blasted rock), ~25% for common earth. It matters because you dig bank yards but haul and pay for loose yards — the defaults turn 22.2 bank into 27.8 loose.

How many truck loads is my excavation?

Loose cubic yards ÷ truck capacity, rounded up. 27.8 loose yd³ in a 10-yard truck = 3 loads. Also check weight: at ~2,700 lb per loose yard, that truck carries ~13.5 tons per load, near many trucks’ legal payload — wet clay may force partial loads.

How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?

Roughly 2,200–3,000 lb depending on material and moisture: dry sandy soils at the low end, saturated clay at the high end; ~2,700 lb for typical damp common earth is the planning figure this calculator uses. Rock and rubble run heavier still.

Why is backfill volume different from excavation volume?

Compaction: placed fill is compacted to near (or beyond) its original density, so loose delivered fill shrinks ~10% into the hole. You must order more loose fill than the bank volume removed — and subtract anything permanent occupying the hole (structures, tanks, footings).

Does this account for trench side slopes?

The base calculation is a rectangular prism. For sloped-wall trenches, average the top and bottom widths (a trapezoid) and enter the average as width — a fair approximation for typical 45°-ish batters. Deep excavations in poor soil need engineering cross-sections, not rules of thumb.

Is this excavation calculator free?

Yes — free, instant, no sign-up.