Equipment Rate Calc

Excavation Swell, Shrink, and Spoil Calculator

Convert bank cubic yards to loose haul volume, compacted volume, and estimated truckloads. Results update automatically as inputs change.

Inputs

Job assumptions

Enter material volume in its undisturbed, in-place condition before excavation.

Use the expected volume increase when this material is excavated and loosened.

Enter the expected reduction from bank volume after placement and compaction. Keep it below 100%; 100% would imply no compacted volume remains.

Use the body's usable loose-volume capacity, reduced when payload weight governs the load.

Calculations stay in this browser unless you explicitly save or share.

Loose Excavated Yards 0

How this calculator works

Loose volume = bank volume × (1 + swell). Compacted volume = bank volume × (1 - shrink).

Read the methodology and editorial policy

Use the result as a cost checkpoint

Plan spoil handling and imported fill by separating in-place, loose, and compacted volume assumptions.

This tool is best for excavation hauling and backfill planning. Use the result to decide how excavation volume may change when dug, hauled, and compacted. Carry the supported loose quantity into the Dump Truck Cycle and Hauling Cost Calculator for repeated fleet cycles. Review soil-specific swell, moisture, rock, debris, and truck capacity before relying on the result.

Worked example

One hundred bank yards at 25% swell becomes about 125 loose yards for haul planning.

Use geotechnical or local measured factors for high-risk or engineered work.

Input and quote review

  • Separate bank, loose, and compacted units in the estimate.
  • Round truckloads up.
  • Include unsuitable material, rock, and wet soil as separate risk items.

Keep the final scope, assumptions, exclusions, allowances, change triggers, and post-job results with the estimate so future defaults are supported by evidence.

Common questions

Which volume should I use for hauling and finished fill?

Use loose volume to plan truck or stockpile capacity and compacted volume to estimate placed yield. Keep bank, loose, and compacted units labeled throughout the takeoff.

Where are saved inputs stored?

Only an explicit Save stores inputs in this browser's localStorage. Share places inputs in the URL hash. The calculator does not send them to Equipment Rate Calc.

Can I use one swell or shrink percentage for every soil?

No. Material type, moisture, excavation method, and compaction target change the result. Prefer project geotechnical data, specifications, test results, or documented local experience.

Carry the correct material state forward

Use this page to define the conversion. Then enter the resulting working-units-per-bid-unit relationship in the Equipment Production and Unit Cost Calculator so production never silently mixes bank, loose, and compacted volume.

Important disclaimerPlanning estimate only. Verify current costs, measurements, production, scope, access, customer requirements, contracts, permits, insurance, taxes, and local rules before quoting or committing money. This tool does not determine utility clearance, shoring, slope, ground stability, legal payload, securement, machine capacity, licensing, traffic control, environmental compliance, or safe operating procedure. Follow applicable law, plans, manufacturer instructions, and qualified safety guidance.