Excavation Calculator
Excavation volume for foundations, trenches and basements in cft, m³ and cubic yards, with soil swell and tractor-trolley trips.
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About this calculator
Calculate the volume of a foundation trench, pit or basement, the loose volume after digging, and how many trolley trips it takes to remove — with optional rates for a cost.
How it's calculated
- Volume = length × width × depth
- Loose volume = volume × (1 + swell %)
- Trips = loose volume ÷ trolley capacity
What is soil swell?
Dug soil takes more space than in the ground — about 20–30% more for ordinary soil, 30–40% for clay.
Results are calculated from the values you enter using standard formulas. Download the PDF to keep a record. For certified testing, design or construction, talk to our engineers.
Kataria Engineering & Consultancy Services (2026). Excavation Calculator [online calculator]. https://katariaengineering.com/tools/excavation-calculator.html
Building or renovating?
Get an item-wise BOQ for the whole house, or a fixed quotation from our engineers.