Hole Volume Calculator

Hole Volume Calculator works out how big your excavation really is — and how much soil comes out, how many truck loads that means, and how much fill you need to put back. Enter the shape and dimensions, pick the soil, and get results instantly. Works fully offline and nothing you enter leaves your phone.

HOW IT WORKS

The app handles two parts: the hole, and the spoil.

1. The hole (BANK volume)

Four excavation types:

* Rectangular pit: length × width × depth
* Round hole: π × (diameter / 2)² × depth
* Trench with battered sides: trapezoidal section × length
* Sloped-wall pit: truncated pyramid (prismoidal formula)

Cubic feet convert to cubic yards (÷27), with cubic metres shown alongside.

2. The spoil (LOOSE and COMPACTED)

Soil expands when dug (swell) and shrinks when compacted:

* Sand/gravel: ~12% swell
* Common earth: ~25%
* Clay: ~40%

Excavated soil is measured loose (truck volume). When placed and compacted, it shrinks (≈10%), meaning a hole rarely refills with its own spoil.

Example:
20 × 12 × 6 ft pit = 1,440 cu ft = 53.33 bank cu yd (40.78 m³)
+25% swell → 66.67 loose cu yd (truck volume)
Compacted → 48.00 cu yd
Refilling half the hole requires more material than remains, leaving excess spoil to haul away.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

* Choose pit, hole, trench, or sloped-wall excavation
* Enter dimensions and adjust side slopes (vertical to 3:1)
* Select soil type with typical swell, shrinkage, and density
* View bank, loose, and compacted volumes together
* Estimate spoil to haul, truck loads, and total weight
* Set backfill share and calculate remaining surplus or shortage
* Open Details for full step-by-step breakdown and soil tables
* Learn the earthwork math in plain language

BUILT FOR CLARITY

A clean, cut-earth design puts the key number first, with supporting figures alongside. Light/dark themes, small download, no clutter, no account.

IMPORTANT

This is a simplified estimating tool. Real swell and shrinkage vary widely with moisture, soil type, and compaction — often by ±30% or more.

Truck loads are calculated by volume; legal loads may be limited by weight. Excavation safety (sloping, benching, shoring) must follow OSHA regulations, and soil classification must be done on site. Deep excavations may require engineered support.

Always call 811 (or your local utility locate service) before digging and confirm quantities with your contractor. This app is for general information and education only and is not professional construction, geotechnical, or safety advice.

PRIVACY

No personal data is collected. The app works fully offline. Ads are served by Google AdMob, which may use an advertising identifier per Google policies.

Download Hole Volume Calculator and know what’s coming out of the ground before the machine arrives.