Enter your Length, Width, Depth/Height, and Shape to calculate the In-Place Volume of your cut or fill area — then add a Swell Factor and Truck Capacity to find out your Bank Volume (Swelled) and exactly how many Truck Loads you'll need to haul it all away.
In-Place Volume
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Bank Volume (Swelled)
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Truck Loads Required
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In-place volume is the actual volume of the excavated area before the soil is disturbed. Bank volume (or swelled volume) accounts for the expansion of soil when it's excavated and loose, which is always larger due to air voids between particles.
Swell factors vary by soil type: compacted fill (10%), clay (15%), common earth (20%), sand/gravel (25%), and rock (30%). The factor represents how much the volume increases when excavated from its natural state.
Truck loads are rounded up because you need whole trucks for transportation. Even if you only need 8.3 truck loads, you'll still need to hire 9 trucks to complete the job.
Different shapes have different volume formulas: rectangular uses the full length × width × depth, triangular uses half that volume, circular uses π/4 of the area, and trapezoidal uses approximately 75% depending on slope angles.
Accuracy depends on precise measurements, correct soil type identification, consistent soil conditions throughout the site, and accounting for compaction requirements. Site surveys and soil testing improve accuracy.
For mixed soil types, calculate each section separately with its appropriate swell factor, then sum the results. Alternatively, use a weighted average swell factor based on the proportion of each soil type.
Cut and fill is an earthmoving process where soil is excavated (cut) from higher elevations and moved to lower areas (fill) to create a level grade. It's essential for site preparation, road construction, and foundation work.