Calculate earthwork cut and fill volumes in cubic yards. Enter your project area, average cut and fill depths, and soil swell factor. Get expanded cut volume for trucking, net haul direction, and the number of dump truck loads required. Includes a swell factor reference table for common soil types.
Cut and fill volume is calculated by multiplying the project area by the average depth of cut or fill across that area. For cut: Volume (CF) = Area (SF) × Average Cut Depth (ft). For fill: Volume (CF) = Area (SF) × Average Fill Depth (ft). Divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
The swell factor accounts for soil expansion when excavated. Clay expands about 25% when loosened — one cubic yard in the ground becomes 1.25 cubic yards in a truck. For haul and trucking cost estimates, always use the loose (expanded) volume. For fill quantity take-offs, use bank measure since that's the natural volume being placed.
Net cut means more material leaves the site than arrives — you need to haul away excess. Net fill means more material is needed than excavated — you must import fill. A balanced earthwork job (cut = fill) minimizes trucking costs and is the target for most site grading designs.
Cut volume is soil removed from areas above design grade. Fill volume is soil needed in areas below design grade. The net determines whether you import or export material.
Soil expands when excavated — a cubic yard in the ground becomes 1.15–1.35 CY loose in a truck. This expansion matters for trucking costs. Clay swells 25%, sandy soil 15%, rock 35%, topsoil 20%.
A standard tandem-axle dump truck carries 10–14 CY. This calculator uses 14 CY. Single-axle trucks carry 6–8 CY — verify with your hauler.
Bank (BCY) is in-place soil. Loose (LCY) is expanded volume in a truck — 15–35% more. Compacted (CCY) is after compaction — 5–15% less than bank. This calculator outputs cut in loose measure (for trucking) and fill in bank measure.
Calculate earthwork cut and fill volumes in cubic yards with swell factor. Get net cut or fill, expanded cut volume for hauling, and truck loads at 14 CY per truck.
GPS grade control and machine control systems for earthwork accuracy.
Shop Express Tools →Cut volume is soil removed from areas above design grade. Fill volume is soil needed in areas below design grade. The net determines whether you import or export material.
Soil expands when excavated — a cubic yard in the ground becomes 1.15–1.35 CY loose in a truck. This expansion matters for trucking costs. Clay swells 25%, sandy soil 15%, rock 35%, topsoil 20%.
A standard tandem-axle dump truck carries 10–14 CY. This calculator uses 14 CY. Single-axle trucks carry 6–8 CY — verify with your hauler.
Bank (BCY) is in-place soil. Loose (LCY) is expanded volume in a truck — 15–35% more. Compacted (CCY) is after compaction — 5–15% less than bank. This calculator outputs cut in loose measure (for trucking) and fill in bank measure.
Enter your project area, average depths, and soil swell factor to calculate cut and fill volumes in cubic yards.
Typical Swell Factors by Soil Type
| Soil Type | Swell Factor | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Soil | 15% | 1.15 |
| Topsoil | 20% | 1.20 |
| Clay | 25% | 1.25 |
| Rock (blasted) | 35% | 1.35 |