Productive ToolboxSoil Volume Calculator
Calculate soil excavation and fill volume for construction, landscaping, and earthwork projects. Supports rectangular, circular, trench, and triangular shapes.
Soil Volume Calculator
Calculate soil excavation or fill volume for rectangular, circular, trench, and triangular shapes. Instant unit conversions and optional weight estimation.
Settings
Excavation Volume
Excavation Type
Dimensions
Optional Estimates
Typical: 1400–1800 kg/m³
Optional cost estimation
Quick Presets
Related tools
What is a Soil Volume Calculator?
A Soil Volume Calculator is a construction and earthwork planning tool that estimates the volume of soil to be excavated, removed, or filled for a given project area. Accurate volume estimation is critical for budgeting material costs, scheduling equipment, and avoiding over-ordering or under-ordering fill dirt.
This calculator supports five excavation shapes — rectangular, circular, trench, triangular, and custom area — covering the most common real-world scenarios in construction, landscaping, civil engineering, and agriculture. Results are instantly converted between cubic meters, cubic feet, and cubic yards.
Optional soil density input enables weight estimation in kilograms and metric tons. An optional cost-per-unit field provides a quick project cost estimate. We do not collect or store what you enter.
How to Use the Soil Volume Calculator
- 1Choose the mode: Select excavation (soil removed) or fill (soil brought in).
- 2Pick the units: Choose the input unit and the output unit: cubic yards, cubic feet or cubic meters.
- 3Pick the shape and size: Choose rectangle, circle, triangle or a custom area and enter its dimensions and depth.
- 4Add density and price: Optionally enter the soil density for weight, and a price per unit with your currency.
- 5Read the volume: See the volume in all three units, the weight and the estimated cost.
Volume Formulas by Shape
| Shape | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular | V = L × W × D | 10×5×2 ft = 100 ft³ |
| Circular | V = π × r² × D | Ø8×1.5 ft ≈ 75.4 ft³ |
| Trench | V = L × W × D | 20×0.6×1.2 ft = 14.4 ft³ |
| Triangular | V = 0.5 × B × H × D | 6×4×2 ft = 24 ft³ |
| Custom Area | V = Area × D | 50 ft² × 2 ft = 100 ft³ |
Example Calculations
| Project | Dimensions | Volume (m³) | Volume (ft³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation pit | 10×5×2 m | 100 | 3,531 |
| Swimming pool | Ø8×1.5 m | 75.4 | 2,663 |
| Utility trench | 20×0.6×1.2 m | 14.4 | 508 |
| Triangular berm | 6×4×2 m | 24 | 847 |
| Backfill area | 50 m² × 0.3 m | 15 | 530 |
Typical Soil Density Reference
| Soil Type | Density (kg/m³) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Loose dry sand | 1,440–1,600 | Easy to excavate |
| Compacted sand | 1,600–1,900 | Requires more effort |
| Loam / topsoil | 1,200–1,400 | Common garden soil |
| Clay (dry) | 1,600–1,800 | Hard when dry |
| Clay (wet) | 1,800–2,000 | Heavy, sticky |
| Gravel | 1,600–2,000 | Drainage fill |
| Rock (broken) | 1,500–1,800 | Blasted material |
Who Uses This Calculator?
Contractors
Estimate excavation volumes for accurate project bidding and material ordering.
Civil Engineers
Calculate earthwork volumes for site grading, foundations, and drainage.
Landscapers
Estimate fill dirt and topsoil needed for garden beds, berms, and grading.
Homeowners
Plan basement excavations, pool installations, and yard leveling projects.
Farmers
Calculate irrigation channel and pond excavation volumes.
Site Managers
Track earthwork progress and verify contractor volume estimates on-site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate soil volume?
Length × width × depth for a rectangle, π × r² × depth for a circle. A 20 × 10 ft area dug 2 ft deep is 400 cu ft, or 14.8 cubic yards (11.3 m³).
How much does a cubic yard of soil weigh?
About 2,000–2,700 lb (0.9–1.2 US tons) depending on moisture and type; 1 m³ of soil is about 1.4–1.8 tonnes. The calculator uses 1,600 kg/m³ unless you change it.
Does the calculator include swell?
No. It gives the in-place (bank) volume. Excavated soil bulks up by 10–40% when loose, so plan trucks and disposal for the larger loose volume.
How do I convert cubic meters to cubic yards?
Multiply by 1.308. 100 m³ is 130.8 yd³; 1 yd³ = 0.765 m³.
How much does topsoil or fill cost?
In the US, fill dirt often costs about $10–$30 per cubic yard and screened topsoil $20–$60, plus delivery. Enter local prices for your estimate.
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