Cubic Yards of Dirt
Calculation Results
Required estimates based on your parameters:
Email Sizing Results
Send these volume and truck load details directly to your email.
A cubic yards of dirt calculator calculates the bulk soil volumes needed for land excavation or cavity fill. Soil volumes are divided into bank, loose, and compacted states to ensure hauling truck calculations match job site requirements.
Formula:
Cubic Yards = [Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)] ÷ 27
Worked Example: Excavating a cavity 50 ft long by 30 ft wide to a depth of 6 ft gives 333.33 cubic yards of undisturbed bank dirt, swelling to 400.00 loose yards for truck hauling.
How to Calculate Yards of Excavated Dirt
Bulk soil volumes are measured differently based on compaction levels. Undisturbed soil sits in its 'bank' state. Once loose, its volume swells up to 30% due to air entrainment. When backfilled and rolled, it shrinks below its original volume. These calculations align with the Caterpillar Performance Handbook standards [1], US Bureau of Reclamation earth moving guidelines [2], and ASTM D698 laboratory soil compaction test codes [3].
Soil Expansion & Compaction Reference Table
| Soil Class | Swell Factor (%) | Shrinkage Factor (%) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loam / Topsoil | 20% | 10% | Rich organic soil, average swelling |
| Clay | 30% | 15% | Dense, fine-grained, expands heavily |
| Sand & Gravel | 10% | 5% | Coarse grains, low air entrainment |
| Rock | 50% | -10% | Heavy fragmentation, loose state gaps |
This dataset is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). You are free to copy, distribute, or embed this table on your website, provided you attribute it with a link:
Sources & Governing Codes
- IRC 2021 Section R403 Concrete Footings & Foundations: IRC 2021 Section R403 Concrete Footings & Foundations View Standard
- IRC 2021 Section R606 Masonry Construction Standard: IRC 2021 Section R606 Masonry Construction Standard View Standard
- ASTM C94 Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete: ASTM C94 Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete View Standard
- ASTM C150 Specification for Portland Cement: ASTM C150 Specification for Portland Cement View Standard
- ASTM A615 Carbon-Steel Reinforcing Bars: ASTM A615 Carbon-Steel Reinforcing Bars View Standard
- ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete: ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete View Standard
- ACI 301 Specifications for Structural Concrete: ACI 301 Specifications for Structural Concrete View Standard
- OSHA Standard 1926.701 Concrete & Masonry Safety: OSHA Standard 1926.701 Concrete & Masonry Safety View Standard