Excavation & Backfill Calculator
Calculate excavation volume in cubic metres, the swelled volume once the soil is loosened, and how many truck loads it takes to cart the spoil off site.
Calculator
How the calculation works
Bank volume = length x width x depth in undisturbed ground. Loosened soil swells, commonly 10-15% for sand and 25-30% for stiff clay, so haulage is priced on the loose volume rather than the bank volume. Backfill is measured compacted and is smaller than either figure.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the volume hauled differ from the volume dug?
Loose soil takes up more space than it did in the ground. Haulage is measured on the swelled volume while backfill is measured compacted, so all three figures differ.
Should I allow for battered sides?
Yes, on deep excavations. Side slopes or shoring add volume that the simple box formula never captures, and safe battering is a design requirement, not an option.
How do I convert loose cubic metres into tonnes?
Multiply by the loose density, roughly 1.5 t/m3 for sand and 1.4-1.6 t/m3 for mixed excavated soil, when the haulier prices by weight instead of by volume.
Does the figure cover rock excavation?
No. Rock is normally a separate rate in the bill of quantities, priced by the cubic metre and often needing breakers, so it must be measured and priced on its own.
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This calculator is also available in Arabic: حاسبة الحفر والردم.