Excavation & Grading Calculators
Last updated: October 17, 2026
Estimate cut volume, haul-off truck loads, trench and backfill quantities, and grading slope and fill, including soil swell and compaction.
Quick answer: excavation volume (bank yd³) = L × W × D (ft) ÷ 27. Multiply by a swell factor (about 1.25 for common earth) for the loose volume trucks haul away. For drainage, the IRC requires grade to fall at least 6 in within the first 10 ft from a foundation.
Excavation & grading
Excavation Calculator
Calculate excavation volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, and meters with truck load and soil weight estimates.
Open calculator →Grading & Slope Calculator
Yard slope as percent, ratio, degrees and in/ft, drop over a distance, and cut/fill cubic yards and tons.
Open calculator →Trench Calculator
Trench excavation volume in cubic yards for utilities, footings, and drainage.
Open calculator →Backfill Calculator
Backfill soil and fill volume in cubic yards for foundations, trenches, and grading.
Open calculator →Dirt Removal Calculator
Dirt removal and haul-off volume in cubic yards with truck load estimates.
Open calculator →Earthwork guides
How Many Yards in a Dump Truck?
Capacity by truck type, and why heavy dirt hits the weight limit first.
Read guide →Soil Swell Factor Table
Bank, loose, and compacted yards by soil type, with conversion formulas.
Read guide →How Much Does a Yard of Dirt Weigh?
Pounds and tons per cubic yard for loam, clay, topsoil, sand, and gravel.
Read guide →Dirt Removal Cost
Estimate haul-off cost from loads, tons, and disposal fees.
Read guide →How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?
Yards for low spots, holes, berms, house grading, and pools.
Read guide →Excavation Cost per Cubic Yard
Per-yard, hourly, and trenching rates with a worked quote check.
Read guide →Bank, loose, and compacted volume
Soil in the ground ("bank" volume) expands when dug ("loose" volume) and shrinks when compacted. That is why haul-off quantities are larger than the hole, and why fill for a low spot needs more than its measured volume.
- Swell: common earth swells roughly 23–27% when excavated, clay about 22–25%, and sand and gravel about 10–12%.
- Shrink: compacted fill typically needs 10–25% more loose material than the finished volume.
Grading for drainage
Good grading moves water away from buildings. Measure the existing fall with a string line and line level, compare it with the target slope, and use the grading & slope calculator to work out the drop and the fill or cut volume. Driveway materials and paving are covered in the driveways & paving calculators.
Typical soil swell factors
| Material | Approx. swell when excavated | Loose yd³ per bank yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Sand / gravel | 10–15% | 1.10–1.15 |
| Common earth / loam | 20–30% | 1.20–1.30 |
| Clay | 22–25% | 1.22–1.25 |
| Topsoil | about 43% | 1.43 |
| Rock (blasted) | 50–65% | 1.50–1.65 |
Full table by soil type, with bank and loose weights: soil swell factor table.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much dirt to remove?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 for bank cubic yards, then multiply by the swell factor (about 1.25 for common soil) to get the loose volume trucks will haul.
How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?
A standard tandem-axle dump truck hauls roughly 10–14 loose cubic yards, and a single-axle truck about 5–7. Weight limits can cap loads of wet or dense material first.
How much should the ground slope away from a house?
The International Residential Code (R401.3) requires the grade to fall at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet from the foundation, which is a 5% slope. Where lot lines or walls prevent that, swales or drains are used instead.