Excavation Volume Calculator
Dig volume with side slopes, truck trips and the soil-bulking surprise.
Soil GROWS when dug — 100 m³ in the ground is 125 in the trucks and ~80 when re-compacted. Pay lines and haul counts all hinge on which of the three states the contract names.
Formula
Disclaimer: This tool is for general informational and estimation purposes only and is not professional financial, tax, accounting or legal advice. All figures are estimates — verify with a qualified professional before making decisions. Read the full disclaimer.
Excavation Volume Calculator is a free excavation calculator for civil engineers, contractors and quantity surveyors — instant, accurate and 100% client-side, with the governing formula and reference shown next to the result so the number can be defended, not just quoted.
About Excavation Volume Calculator
Dig volume with side slopes, truck trips and the soil-bulking surprise. The calculation implements prismoidal volume with battered sides; loose = bank × (1+bulking) (Earthwork estimating; OSHA 1926 Subpart P slopes). Soil GROWS when dug — 100 m³ in the ground is 125 in the trucks and ~80 when re-compacted. Pay lines and haul counts all hinge on which of the three states the contract names.
How to use Excavation Volume Calculator
- 1Enter Pit length (bottom) in m.
- 2Enter Pit width (bottom) in m.
- 3Enter Depth in m.
- 4Enter Side slope (H:1V) (Firm soil 0.5:1 · loose 1:1 · OSHA type C 1.5:1).
- 5Read In-ground (bank) volume, Loose volume to haul, Truck trips (10 m³) instantly — no submit button needed.
- 6Need US units? Flip the SI/Imperial toggle and every field converts.
Why use Excavation Volume Calculator?
- ✓Implements the standard formula — prismoidal volume with battered sides; loose = bank × (1+bulking)
- ✓Reference cited on-page: Earthwork estimating; OSHA 1926 Subpart P slopes
- ✓One-click SI ⇄ Imperial toggle — values convert in place, physics stays in SI
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser — nothing uploaded, free forever
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the Excavation Volume Calculator use?+
It computes prismoidal volume with battered sides; loose = bank × (1+bulking), per Earthwork estimating; OSHA 1926 Subpart P slopes. The formula is displayed under the result.
What should I keep in mind when using this calculator?+
Soil GROWS when dug — 100 m³ in the ground is 125 in the trucks and ~80 when re-compacted. Pay lines and haul counts all hinge on which of the three states the contract names.
Does it include wastage?+
Yes — standard wastage/bulking factors are built in and stated in the formula line, so the quantity is an orderable number, not a bare geometric volume.
Is the Excavation Volume Calculator free to use?+
Yes — completely free, no sign-up, no limits. It runs client-side in your browser, so inputs stay private and results are instant even on slow connections.
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