Free tool

Trench excavation calculator

Spoil, bedding, and backfill from trench dimensions. Enter length and width in feet and depth in inches. Dig a 100 ft water line at 24 inches wide and you'll be surprised what comes out of the ground.

29.63
cubic yards
40
tons (approx.)
2
truckloads at 16 yd³

Pro habit: Figure hauling about 32.6 yd³ of spoil; bank soil swells 20 to 30 percent once it's out of the ground, so the pile is bigger than the hole.

For bedding, set the depth to just the bedding layer (4 to 6 inches is typical under pipe). Backfill volume is the trench minus the pipe and bedding, and the spoil never quite fits back once it's fluffed. Weights are common industry approximations; confirm with your supplier before ordering.

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Common questions

How do I calculate how much trench I need?

Multiply length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. This trench calculator does it for you: enter length and width in feet and depth in inches, and it returns cubic yards, estimated tons, and truckloads. Add about 10 percent for compaction, spillage, and uneven grade.

How many tons is a cubic yard of trench?

Trench runs roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard as a common industry approximation (Excavated spoil (bank soil) at about 2,700 lb/yd³). Moisture and material change this, so confirm the exact conversion with your supplier.

Is this trench calculator free?

Yes. It is a free tool from TrackOver, software built inside a working excavation company for contractors who move dirt. No signup required to use it.