How Much Dirt Will I Dig? Cubic Yards, Swell, Tons and Truck Loads
Part of the project planners: Planning a concrete patio, slab or driveway and Planning a new driveway.
A hole 20 × 10 ft and 3 ft deep holds 22.2 cubic yards of soil in the ground, but once it is dug the soil swells, and the pile is about 27.8 cubic yards of topsoil: 3 loads of a 10 yard dump truck, and 24 tons. The excavation calculator does your hole, trench or post holes.
Swell factor, weight and truck loads by soil
For the 20 × 10 × 3 ft hole, 10 cubic yard truck:
| Soil | Swell | Weight in the ground | Loose yards | Truck loads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand | 12% | 1.4 tons | 24.9 | 3 |
| Gravel | 15% | 1.5 tons | 25.6 | 3 |
| Topsoil or loam | 25% | 1.1 tons | 27.8 | 3 |
| Clay | 30% | 1.4 tons | 28.9 | 3 |
| Rock (blasted) | 50% | 2.2 tons | 33.3 | 4 |
Swell (or "bulking") is why the pile is always bigger than the hole: digging breaks up the soil and lets air in. Once spread and compacted again, soil may shrink to a little less than its volume in the ground.
Dirt for common jobs
Topsoil or loam, 10 cubic yard truck:
| Job | In the ground | Loose | Truck loads | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footing trench 40 × 2 × 3 ft | 8.9 yd³ | 11.1 yd³ | 2 | 9.8 tons |
| Shed pad 12 × 12 × 1 ft | 5.3 yd³ | 6.7 yd³ | 1 | 5.9 tons |
| Patio 12 × 12 × 0.67 ft | 3.6 yd³ | 4.5 yd³ | 1 | 3.9 tons |
| Pool 16 × 32 × 5 ft | 94.8 yd³ | 118.5 yd³ | 12 | 104.3 tons |
| Basement 30 × 40 × 8 ft | 355.6 yd³ | 444.4 yd³ | 45 | 391.1 tons |
| Pond 10 × 15 × 2 ft | 11.1 yd³ | 13.9 yd³ | 2 | 12.2 tons |
How to measure the dig
- Add room for the work: forms, drainage stone and walking space often add 1 to 2 feet to each side of the finished size.
- Include the depth of the base layers, not only the structure. A 4 inch slab on a 4 inch base needs a hole 8 inches deeper than the finished surface.
- For a sloped or irregular dig, split it into simple boxes and add them up.
- For round holes, the volume is π × radius² × depth: a round hole 12 ft across and 3 ft deep is 12.6 cubic yards.
Before you dig
- Call 811 (in the US) a few days ahead so buried lines are marked.
- Decide where the soil goes. Keep topsoil separate, and ask about the cost of disposal: many dumps charge by the ton.
- Plan for water. A hole that fills after rain needs pumping or a drain.
- Check the rules. Deep trenches and excavations often need shoring or sloped sides for safety, and a permit.
See also the topsoil calculator and the tons per cubic yard guide. Estimates only.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of dirt will I dig?
Length × width × depth in feet, divided by 27. A 20 × 10 ft hole 3 feet deep is 22.22 cubic yards in the ground.
What is the swell factor of dirt?
Soil swells when it is dug: about 12% for sand, 15% for gravel, 25% for topsoil and 30% for clay. 22.22 yards in the ground makes 27.78 yards of topsoil, or 28.89 yards of clay.
How many truck loads of dirt is that?
3 loads of a 10 cubic yard tandem dump truck for 27.8 loose cubic yards, or 19 loads of a pickup or small trailer carrying 1½ yards.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
About 1.1 tons (2,200 lb) for topsoil and 1.4 tons for clay or sand, measured in the ground. This hole's 22.2 yards of topsoil weigh about 24.4 tons.
How much dirt do 12 post holes make?
Twelve holes of 12 inches by 3½ feet make 1.22 cubic yards in the ground, a pickup-load or two with the swell.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.