How many cubic yards of dirt do you need to remove? Enter your excavation dimensions and soil type to get volume, truck loads, and cost estimates with swell factors and access difficulty adjustments.
Swell factor: 1.2x (excavated soil expands)
Standard dump truck: 10-14 cu yd
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Enter excavation dimensions
Last updated March 31, 2026 by our expert review team
Excavated soil expands when removed from the ground. This "swell" means you'll remove more volume than the hole's actual size. Always account for swell when estimating dump truck loads.
Loose, easy to dig
$50-$80/cu yd
Dense, expands most
$80-$120/cu yd
Average conditions
$65-$100/cu yd
Very difficult, requires breaking
$100-$150/cu yd
Organic, light
$40-$70/cu yd
Ruth Wairimu
Landscape Architect
Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.
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Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
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How we verify our calculators| Truck Type | Capacity (cu yd) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small/Mini Dump | 8-10 | Tight access, residential |
| Standard Dump Truck | 12-14 | Most common for excavation |
| Tri-Axle Dump | 18-20 | Large commercial projects |
| Super Dump | 22-26 | Heavy loads, long haul |
Always call 811 at least 3 to 5 business days before breaking ground. Utility companies mark lines for free. Hitting a gas line can cost $10,000+ in repairs.
Account for soil swell factors in every haul-away estimate. Clay swells 30 to 40%, mixed soil about 20%, and sand only 10 to 15%. A 10 cu yd hole in clay produces about 13 cu yd of loose material.
Match your truck to the job. A standard 12 cu yd dump truck costs $300 to $500 per load. For 50+ cu yd, negotiate a per-yard rate with a tri-axle hauler.
Removing old concrete? Our concrete weight calculator estimates disposal weight for hauling and dumpster sizing.
Test soil conditions before committing to a bid. Dig a 2-foot test hole. If you hit water, hardpan, or heavy clay, costs can double.
For pool excavation, use our pool volume calculator to determine the water volume your pool will hold.
Compact backfill in 6 to 8 inch lifts using a plate compactor. Need backfill material? Use our fill dirt calculator to estimate quantities.
Time your excavation for dry weather. For trench-style digs, follow OSHA excavation safety standards for wall support requirements.
This calculator starts with a simple volume formula (length times width times depth), then applies the real-world adjustments that separate accurate estimates from expensive surprises. The most critical adjustment is the swell factor: soil in the ground is compressed by the weight above it, but once excavated, it loosens and expands. Sandy loam swells a manageable 10-15%, but heavy clay can balloon 30-40%, meaning a 20 cubic yard hole produces 26-28 cubic yards of loose material sitting in your driveway.
The haul-away calculation divides your swell-adjusted volume by truck capacity, rounding up because you can't send a half-empty truck on its last run for free. Each load carries a fixed cost, typically $300 to $500 for a standard dump truck including driver time and disposal fees, so one extra cubic yard that pushes you from 2 loads to 3 can add $400+ to your project. Choosing the right truck size matters: a tri-axle hauling 18-20 cu yd per trip can save two round trips compared to a standard 12 cu yd truck on larger jobs.
Access difficulty is the hidden cost multiplier most homeowners overlook. Easy driveway access means a full-size excavator can work at peak efficiency, but if material needs to be wheeled through a 36-inch gate or carried up a slope, labor hours multiply fast. Difficult access can increase total project cost by 50% or more, and may require smaller equipment that digs slower. Always measure your access path before requesting quotes. Contractors price based on what equipment they can get to the dig site.
Formulas
Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × Depth
Volume (cu yd) = Volume (cu ft) ÷ 27
Adjusted Volume = Volume × Swell Factor
Truck Loads = Adjusted Volume ÷ Truck Capacity
Ignoring swell factor entirely
A 30 cu yd basement dig in clay produces about 40 cu yd of loose soil. Ordering trucks for 30 means an emergency extra load at premium rates.
Skipping the 811 utility locate
Hitting a gas line costs $5,000 to $15,000 in repairs, plus fines up to $100,000. The 811 service is free and takes 2 to 3 business days.
Not testing soil before bidding
Surface soil often differs from 3 feet down. A 2-foot test hole with a post-hole digger reveals clay, rock, or water table surprises.
Forgetting spoil pile space
A 20 cu yd dig (swelled to about 25 cu yd) creates a 10x12x5 foot pile. Without room, you need same-day hauling at higher cost.
Underestimating access constraints
A bobcat needs 4+ feet of clearance; a mini excavator needs 3+ feet. Restricted access forces hand-digging at 3 to 5x the labor cost.
Excavating without checking permits
Many cities require grading permits for any excavation that changes drainage. Digging without a permit risks stop-work orders and fines.
Keep excavated soil on-site if you can. Use it to regrade low spots and save $200+ in hauling fees.
At this scale, negotiate a per-yard rate. A good excavation contractor will mobilize a fleet and complete hauling in 2-3 days.
Pool digs require precise depth control. Over-excavating by even 6 inches adds 10+ cu yd of unnecessary fill-back at $25 to $40/yd.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.