Excavation Calculator
Calculate the excavation volume and the swelled ("loaded") volume once soil is loosened, for planning truck loads.
- Free to use
- Accurate results
- No registration required
- Works on all devices
Enter your excavation's length, width, and depth to find the volume of soil removed and its loaded (swelled) volume.
Your result
100
In-situ (bank) volume
Loaded (swelled) volume125
AI explanation
Formula
Bank volume = length × width × depth; loaded volume = bank volume × 1.25 (swell factor)Worked example
10m × 5m × 2m excavation
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Excavation length (m) | 10 |
| Excavation width (m) | 5 |
| Excavation depth (m) | 2 |
| In-situ (bank) volume | 100 |
| Loaded (swelled) volume | 125 |
Assumptions
- Excavated soil "bulks" (expands) by roughly 25% once loosened — a commonly cited geotechnical rule of thumb, though actual swell varies by soil type.
- The loaded volume, not the bank volume, is what determines how many truckloads are needed to haul the material away.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the loaded volume more than the excavated (bank) volume?
Undisturbed soil is compact, but once dug up and loosened, it expands to fill more space — a commonly cited ~25% increase ("swell factor") — which is what determines truck capacity needed.
Does the swell factor vary by soil type?
Yes — sandy soils swell less, clay soils can swell more; 25% is a reasonable general planning estimate, but consult a geotechnical reference for a specific soil type if precision matters.
How does this relate to cut-and-fill earthwork?
If you also have a "fill" requirement (soil needed elsewhere on site), see the Earthwork Calculator to compare cut and fill volumes and find your net import/export.