Excavation Volume Calculator
Calculate excavation volume and truck loads needed for hauling.
Assumptions used in this calculation
- Truck capacity: Assumes a 6 m³ capacity per truck load for the load-count estimate.
About this calculator
Booking too few trucks for an excavation job is a common and expensive mistake, because the undisturbed soil you're digging out occupies noticeably less space than the same soil once it's loosened and piled for hauling. This calculator multiplies an excavation's length, width and depth to find the bank volume, the in-situ figure that matches the size of the hole itself, then applies a swell percentage to estimate the larger loosened volume that actually needs to be hauled away or stockpiled, and divides that by a typical truck capacity to estimate the number of loads required. Entering three dimensions and getting both a bank volume and a realistic truck-load count in return saves you from underestimating hauling capacity on-site. Because swell factors vary by soil type, sandy soils swell less than dense clay, treat the default percentage as a planning estimate and confirm with your excavation contractor for a precise figure.
Worked example
10×5×2m excavation, 25% swell
Result: Bank volume = 100 m³, swell volume = 125 m³
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