Excavation Calculator
How much dirt are you digging? Enter area and depth for cubic yards and truckloads.
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Cubic feet—
Dump-truck loads (10 cu yd)—
Estimated haul cost—
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How this calculator works
It calculates the volume of soil from your dig area and depth, converts to cubic yards, and estimates how many standard 10-yard dump-truck loads you’ll need to haul it away.
Worked example — a 20 ft × 20 ft area dug 12 inches deep:
400 × 1 = 400 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 14.8 cubic yards → 2 truck loads.
Soil swells when dug
Loosened soil takes up 15–25% more space than it did in the ground, so hauling volume runs a bit higher than this in-ground estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards in a dump truck?
A standard dump truck holds about 10–14 cubic yards of soil.
How do I calculate dirt to remove?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet), then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Planning an outdoor project
Outdoor quantities vary with site shape, access, drainage, soil conditions, and local material availability. Break irregular areas into simple sections, confirm the product specification with your supplier, and check permits or utility requirements before starting work.
How to use this estimate
- Measure the project in the units shown and recheck your measurements before ordering.
- Use the waste allowance as a planning buffer, not as a substitute for a detailed material takeoff.
- Compare the result with the package yield, coverage, or weight listed by your supplier.
- Prices are user-entered estimates and may change by location, product, delivery, and season.
Accuracy and limitations
Calculapedia provides educational planning estimates. It does not inspect your site, select products, guarantee quantities, or replace a contractor, engineer, architect, building official, or supplier. Confirm the final quantity and any safety or code requirements before buying or building.