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Excavation Calculator

Calculate excavation volume and hauling costs

Excavation Volume

88.89 yd³

Loose Vol

115.56 yd³

Truck Loads

12

Cost

$1733

Units
$
Bank Volume

88.89 yd³

Loose Volume

115.56 yd³

Truck Loads

12

Est. Cost

$1733

Bank vs Loose Volume

Bank Volume (in-ground)88.89 yd³
Loose Volume (+30% swell)115.56 yd³

Hauling Estimate

Truck Capacity10 yd³
Number of Loads12
Estimated Cost$1733

What You'll Need

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GARDEN STAR 5 Cu Ft Poly Tray Wheelbarrow

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VIVOSUN 3-in-1 Soil pH/Moisture/Light Tester

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$10-$154.3
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BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

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Stanley FatMax 25ft Magnetic Tape Measure

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Stainless Steel Garden Hoe Rake Weeding Tool

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Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric Heavy Duty 6.5ftx300ft

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GARDEN STAR 5 Cu Ft Poly Tray Wheelbarrow

GARDEN STAR 5 Cu Ft Poly Tray Wheelbarrow

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VIVOSUN 3-in-1 Soil pH/Moisture/Light Tester

VIVOSUN 3-in-1 Soil pH/Moisture/Light Tester

$10-$154.3
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BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

BOSCH GLM20 Blaze 65ft Laser Distance Measure

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Stanley FatMax 25ft Magnetic Tape Measure

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is swell factor in excavation?

Swell factor is the increase in soil volume when excavated. Soil expands 12-50% when dug up because air pockets form between loose particles. Clay swells ~30%, sand ~12%, and rock ~50%. Always calculate loose volume for truck loads.

  • Sand/gravel: 12–15% swell factor (multiply bank volume by 1.12–1.15)
  • Loam/topsoil: 20–25% swell factor (multiply bank volume by 1.20–1.25)
  • Clay: 25–35% swell factor (multiply bank volume by 1.25–1.35)
  • Rock/shale: 40–50% swell factor (multiply bank volume by 1.40–1.50)
  • Ignoring swell factor can underestimate truck loads by 12–50%, causing project delays
Soil TypeSwell Factor100 Bank yd³ Becomes
Sand/Gravel12–15%112–115 loose yd³
Loam/Topsoil20–25%120–125 loose yd³
Clay25–35%125–135 loose yd³
Rock/Shale40–50%140–150 loose yd³
Q

How many cubic yards does a dump truck hold?

A standard dump truck holds 10-14 cubic yards of loose dirt. Small trucks: 6-8 yd³, standard: 10-14 yd³, large tandem: 14-18 yd³, semi trailer: 20-25 yd³. Always use loose (swelled) volume for truck calculations.

  • Small single-axle dump truck: 6–8 yd³ capacity, best for tight residential access
  • Standard tandem dump truck: 10–14 yd³ capacity, most common for residential excavation
  • Large tri-axle dump truck: 14–18 yd³ capacity, ideal for large commercial sites
  • Semi end-dump trailer: 20–25 yd³ capacity, used for highway and large-volume jobs
  • Weight limits often cap loads before volume – wet clay weighs about 1.5 tons per yd³
Truck TypeCapacity (yd³)Typical Cost/Load
Small Single-Axle6–8$50–$75
Standard Tandem10–14$75–$125
Large Tri-Axle14–18$100–$150
Semi End-Dump20–25$150–$200
Q

How much does excavation cost per cubic yard?

Excavation costs $10-25 per cubic yard for basic digging and hauling. Costs vary: topsoil removal $10-15/yd³, general excavation $15-20/yd³, rock excavation $30-50/yd³. Add $50-100 per truck load for hauling.

  • Topsoil stripping: $10–$15/yd³ – easy removal, can often be stockpiled on-site and reused
  • General earth excavation: $15–$20/yd³ including loading (add hauling cost separately)
  • Rock excavation: $30–$50/yd³, may require hydraulic breaker rental at $200–$500/day
  • Hauling fees: $50–$100 per truck load depending on dump site distance (5–20 miles typical)
  • A typical 30 ft × 20 ft × 4 ft foundation dig costs $1,300–$2,500 total for clay soil
Q

How do you calculate bank vs loose cubic yards?

Bank cubic yards is the in-ground volume (L × W × D / 27). Loose cubic yards = bank yards × swell factor. For clay with 30% swell: 100 bank yd³ × 1.30 = 130 loose yd³. Always haul based on loose volume.

  • Bank volume = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) / 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards
  • Always use loose volume for truck load calculations – bank volume underestimates hauling needs
  • Compacted volume (for backfill) is typically 85–95% of bank volume due to compaction
  • For irregularly shaped excavations, break into rectangular sections and sum the volumes

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Example Calculations

1Foundation Dig (30 × 20 × 4 ft, Clay)

Inputs

Length30 ft
Width20 ft
Depth4 ft
Soil TypeClay (30% swell)
Truck Capacity10 yd³
Cost per yd³$15

Result

Loose Volume115.56 yd³
Bank Volume88.89 yd³
Swell Factor30%
Truck Loads12
Estimated Cost$1,733

Bank volume = (30 × 20 × 4) / 27 = 88.89 yd³. With 30% clay swell: 88.89 × 1.30 = 115.56 loose yd³. Truck loads = ⌈115.56 / 10⌉ = 12. Cost = 115.56 × $15 = $1,733.

2Pool Excavation (20 × 10 × 6 ft, Sand)

Inputs

Length20 ft
Width10 ft
Depth6 ft
Soil TypeSand/Gravel (12% swell)
Truck Capacity10 yd³
Cost per yd³$15

Result

Loose Volume49.78 yd³
Bank Volume44.44 yd³
Swell Factor12%
Truck Loads5
Estimated Cost$747

Bank volume = (20 × 10 × 6) / 27 = 44.44 yd³. With 12% sand swell: 44.44 × 1.12 = 49.78 loose yd³. Truck loads = ⌈49.78 / 10⌉ = 5. Cost = 49.78 × $15 = $747.

Formulas Used

Bank Volume

Bank Volume (yd³) = (L × W × D) / 27

Calculates in-ground volume before excavation.

Where:

L= Excavation length in feet
W= Excavation width in feet
D= Excavation depth in feet

Loose Volume

Loose Volume = Bank Volume × Swell Factor

Accounts for soil expansion when excavated.

Where:

Swell Factor= Soil expansion ratio (1.12 for sand to 1.50 for rock)

Truck Loads

Truck Loads = ⌈Loose Volume / Truck Capacity⌉

Number of truck loads needed (rounded up).

Where:

Truck Capacity= Truck bed capacity in cubic yards (typically 10-14)

Excavation Estimation: Swell Factors, Truck Loads, and Cost Planning

1

Swell Factor by Soil Type: Why Loose Volume Exceeds Bank Volume

Sand and gravel swell 12–15% when excavated, while rock can expand 40–50%—meaning 100 bank cubic yards of blasted limestone becomes 140–150 loose cubic yards on the truck. Ignoring swell factor is the single most common excavation estimating error, routinely underestimating hauling needs by 2–4 truckloads on a typical residential dig.

The swell happens because in-place soil particles are interlocked under compression. Once disturbed by a bucket or breaker, air fills the voids between loose particles. Clay swells 25–35% due to its plate-like particle structure that resists re-nesting. Loam and topsoil fall in the 20–25% range—a practical middle ground for estimating when the exact soil composition is unknown.

Always specify whether a volume figure is bank or loose when communicating with trucking contractors. A quote for "100 yards of hauling" is ambiguous—100 loose yards at $15/yd³ costs $1,500, but the same 100 bank yards of clay at 30% swell generates 130 loose yards and a $1,950 bill.

Loose weights assume dry conditions; wet soil adds 20–30%
Soil TypeSwell Factor100 Bank yd³ BecomesWeight (lbs/yd³)
Sand/Gravel12–15%112–115 loose yd³2,600–2,900
Loam/Topsoil20–25%120–125 loose yd³2,000–2,400
Clay25–35%125–135 loose yd³2,800–3,200
Rock/Shale40–50%140–150 loose yd³3,000–4,000

When soil type is unknown, use 25% swell factor as a safe default. Under-ordering trucks delays the project more than one extra standby load costs.

2

Dump Truck Sizes and Capacity Limits

A standard tandem-axle dump truck holds 10–14 cubic yards of loose material and is the workhorse for residential excavation. It fits through most driveway gates (8–10 ft wide) and can navigate suburban streets without overweight permits. For a 30 × 20 × 4 ft foundation dig in clay (115 loose yd³), plan for 9–12 tandem loads.

Single-axle trucks carry 6–8 yd³ and are best for tight-access residential sites where a larger truck cannot maneuver. Semi end-dump trailers haul 20–25 yd³ and are reserved for large commercial sites with dedicated haul roads. Tri-axle trucks (14–18 yd³) split the difference and are common on mid-size commercial projects.

Hauling cost per load ranges from $50–$75 for a single-axle to $150–$200 for a semi trailer, depending on distance to the dump site. Most residential jobs use a dump site within 5–20 miles, and each round-trip takes 45–90 minutes including loading time. Scheduling all loads for a single day often qualifies for a 10–15% multi-load discount.

Truck TypeCapacity (yd³)Max WeightCost/Load
Single-Axle6–8~13,000 lbs$50–$75
Tandem-Axle10–14~26,000 lbs$75–$125
Tri-Axle14–18~40,000 lbs$100–$150
Semi End-Dump20–25~50,000 lbs$150–$200
3

Weight Limits: When Trucks Fill by Tonnage, Not Volume

Wet clay weighs approximately 1.5 tons (3,000 lbs) per loose cubic yard—which means a tandem dump truck rated for 26,000 lbs of payload can only carry about 8.5 yd³ of wet clay despite having 10–14 yd³ of bed volume. Weight limits, not bed volume, govern the actual number of loads for heavy soils.

Road weight restrictions compound the problem. Most residential streets have a 40,000-lb gross vehicle weight limit. A tandem truck weighing 15,000 lbs empty can carry only 25,000 lbs of payload on those roads—roughly 8 yd³ of wet clay or 9–10 yd³ of damp loam. Overweight fines range from $100 to $500+ per incident in most jurisdictions.

For heavy materials, use the fill dirt calculator in reverse—enter density values to convert your loose volume into tons, then divide by the truck’s payload limit. This prevents the common mistake of ordering too few loads and having the excavator sit idle while waiting for extra trucks.

Wet clay at 3,000 lbs/yd³ fills a tandem truck by weight at ~8.5 yd³, not the 10–14 yd³ volume rating. Always check soil weight against truck payload limits.

4

Excavation Cost Planning and Budget Tips

Basic earth excavation costs $15–$20 per bank cubic yard for a mid-size excavator (20,000–30,000 lb class) with operator. Rock excavation jumps to $30–$50/yd³ and may require a hydraulic breaker attachment at $200–$500/day rental. A typical 30 × 20 × 4 ft residential foundation dig in clay runs $1,300–$2,500 total including loading and hauling.

The three biggest cost variables are soil type, haul distance, and dump fees. Topsoil stripping at $10–$15/yd³ can often be stockpiled on-site for reuse, eliminating hauling cost entirely. General earth haul to a site 10 miles away adds $75–$125 per tandem load. Dump fees at licensed disposal sites range from $15–$40 per load for clean earth and $50–$100+ for contaminated material requiring testing.

To minimize cost, combine excavation with concrete footing and backfill work so the excavator only mobilizes once. Machine mobilization (delivery and pickup) runs $200–$500 each way for a mid-size unit. Scheduling all earthwork phases within a single mobilization can save $400–$1,000 on a residential project.

  • Topsoil stripping — $10–$15/yd³, stockpile on-site to avoid hauling costs
  • General earth excavation — $15–$20/yd³ with loading into trucks
  • Rock excavation — $30–$50/yd³ plus $200–$500/day breaker rental
  • Hauling (10-mile round trip) — $75–$125 per tandem-axle load
  • Dump site fees — $15–$40/load for clean earth, $50–$100+ for contaminated soil

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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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