Excavation Calculator

Bank cubic yards (in-place), loose cubic yards (after swell), truckloads and OSHA Subpart P protective-system flag for rectangular, trench or circular excavations.

Excavation

Shape
ft
ft
ft
For variable depth, use the deepest point.

Hauling

%
Sand 10-15 · loam 25 · clay 30-40 · rock 50-65.
yd³
Tri-axle dump = 14 yd³ typical. Single-axle 10 yd³, dump trailer 16-20.

Calculation results

Bank cubic yards (BCY)

— yd³

Loose cubic yards (LCY)

— yd³

Truckloads

— loads

Volume (raw)

— ft³

BCY is the in-place volume — what you measure on the survey. LCY adds the swell — what loose soil actually occupies in the truck bed. Truckloads round up to whole trucks; a partial load usually costs the same as a full one.

Informational only. Excavations 5 ft or deeper require a protective system per OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P — sloping, shoring or shielding designed by a competent person. Soil type, water table and adjacent loads (traffic, spoil piles, structures) all affect the required design. Never enter an unprotected trench at depth.

Bank vs loose vs compacted volume

Soil exists in three distinct volume states. The same dirt occupies different space depending on how it has been handled.

  • Bank cubic yards (BCY) — the in-place, undisturbed volume. This is what you compute from the survey: L × W × D.
  • Loose cubic yards (LCY) — the post-excavation volume. The soil "swells" because it loses its compaction. LCY = BCY × (1 + swell %).
  • Compacted cubic yards (CCY) — re-compacted volume, smaller than BCY. Relevant for backfill specs but not for hauling.

Worked example — 30 × 20 × 8 ft basement excavation, 25 % swell, 14 yd³ truck

  • Volume = 30 × 20 × 8 = 4,800 ft³
  • BCY = 4,800 / 27 = 177.8 yd³
  • LCY = 177.8 × 1.25 = 222.2 yd³
  • Truckloads = ⌈ 222.2 / 14 ⌉ = 16 loads

OSHA Subpart P — trench protection

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires a protective system for any excavation 5 ft or deeper that workers will enter, unless the excavation is in stable rock. The protective system can be sloping (cutting back the trench walls to a safe angle), shoring (hydraulic or timber bracing inside the trench), or shielding (a trench box that workers stand inside).

Soil typeMax slope (H:V)For 5 ft deep, slope-back
Type A — cohesive (clay, hardpan)¾:1 (53°)3.75 ft each side
Type B — angular gravel, silt, dry clay1:1 (45°)5 ft each side
Type C — granular, submerged, fissured1½:1 (34°)7.5 ft each side

Excavations 20 ft or deeper require a registered professional engineer's design regardless of soil type or method. Spoil piles must be kept at least 2 ft from the edge of the trench. Access/egress: ladder, ramp or stairway within 25 ft of every worker if the trench is 4 ft or deeper.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between bank and loose cubic yards?
Bank cubic yards (BCY) is the volume in the ground — what the survey measures. Loose cubic yards (LCY) is the post-excavation volume after the soil swells (loses compaction). LCY is always larger; the ratio is the swell factor, typically 20-30 % for mixed soil.
How many truckloads of dirt from a 1,000 cubic foot excavation?
1,000 ft³ = 37 BCY. With 25 % swell = 46.3 LCY. At 14 yd³ per tri-axle truck: ⌈46.3 / 14⌉ = 4 loads. A smaller 10-yd³ truck would need 5 loads.
How deep can a trench be without shoring?
OSHA allows trenches up to 5 ft deep without a protective system in stable soil. At exactly 5 ft and beyond, sloping, shoring or shielding is mandatory. At 20 ft or deeper, the protective system must be designed by a registered professional engineer.
What is a swell factor?
The percentage by which soil expands when excavated, compared to its in-place state. Typical values: dry sand 10-15 %, loam 20-25 %, dense clay 30-40 %, common rock 50-65 %, blasted rock 65-80 %. Wet clay can swell up to 50 % depending on water content.
Why does my excavation cost include haul-away?
Most contractors price excavation and hauling separately. Excavation is the dig itself (machine time, operator). Hauling is the truck trips to a dump site or fill destination, priced per load. For a typical basement excavation, hauling often exceeds the digging cost.
How much does excavation cost per cubic yard?
2026 U.S. averages: $40-80/yd³ for typical residential excavation including hauling, in the Midwest. Coastal markets and rocky soil push to $80-150/yd³. Hand excavation (small spaces, careful work around utilities) can run $100-250/yd³.
Do I need a permit for excavation?
Most jurisdictions require a permit for excavations associated with construction (foundations, utilities) and call-before-you-dig (811 in the US) for any excavation regardless of permit. Free utility locates take 2-3 business days — never start without them.