Cut & Fill Calculator
Enter pad size and the two elevations to get the cut or fill volume — plus the hauled (cut) or compacted (fill) quantity the site work actually moves.
Last updated: 2026-09-28
How the calculation works
- The pad's area times the average elevation difference gives bank volume — in-ground measure.
- Cut material swells ~25% when dug (haul more than the hole); imported fill shrinks ~15% when compacted (order more than the void).
- Weight uses typical bank-measure soil for disposal pricing.
Formula
V = area × |Δelevation| ÷ 27 (bank yd³)
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
Δ | Cut (+) or fill (−) depth | ft |
Worked example
Interpreting the result
Cut vs fill decides the site's economics: balanced pads skip both the haul-off and the import bill, which is why finished-floor elevations get chosen early and deliberately. The swell/shrink pair is the classic estimator trap — you dig 133 and haul 167; you need 133 and order 153. Slopes beyond the pad (side slopes at 2:1 or 3:1) add significant volume on any real grading plan.
Assumptions
- Flat pad, single average elevation difference — irregular sites need grid/contour methods.
- Swell +25% (cut), shrink +15% (fill) for typical mixed soil.
Limitations
- No side slopes, topsoil stripping or over-excavation for unsuitable material.
- Rock, organic and saturated soils have different swell/shrink values.
Frequently asked questions
How is cut and fill volume calculated?
Volume = area × average depth of cut or fill, divided by 27 for cubic yards. Real sites use grid or cross-section methods because elevations vary across the pad.
Why is hauled dirt more than the hole?
Excavated soil loosens: bank volume swells ~25% when dug. You dig 100 yd³ and haul about 125 — the truck arithmetic that surprises first-time estimators.