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Metric or US customary

Trench Excavation, Spoil and Vehicle Load Calculator

Estimate excavation, loose spoil, mass and vehicle loads using one selected measurement system throughout.

Enter your data

Use verified trench geometry and project-specific density, bulking and vehicle-capacity assumptions.

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Metric mode uses metres, cubic metres and metric tonnes.
m
m
m
H : 1V
Use 0 for vertical trench sides.
%
m³
m³
t/m³
Inputs are processed in this browser. This calculator does not send project data to a server.
Excavation limitation: The entered cross-section is assumed constant. Check working space, temporary-works requirements, overbreak, services, disposal classification and verified haul limits separately.

Trapezoidal trench volume

Side slope is entered as horizontal movement for each one unit of vertical depth on each side. A 0.25 value means the top extends 0.25 horizontal units per 1 vertical unit on both sides, whether the selected length unit is metres or feet.

top width = base width + 2 × side slope × depth
volume = length × depth × (base width + top width) ÷ 2

Bulking factor

Excavated material generally occupies a different loose volume than it did in the ground. The correct factor varies with soil type, rock fragmentation, moisture, compaction and handling; the default is only an editable example.

For site-wide cut/fill zones or a series of cross-sections, use the Earthwork Cut and Fill Volume Calculator to keep bank, loose and compacted quantities separate.

Vehicle loads

The load count is rounded up using loose cubic capacity. In practice payload by mass, highway limits, material density and the operator's safe loading policy may govern before body volume is reached. Metric results use metric tonnes; US customary results use the US short ton of 2,000 lb.

Frequently asked questions

What is displacement volume?

It is an optional deduction from gross in-situ excavation for known items occupying trench volume, such as a large pipe or pre-calculated bedding volume.

Does the trench result mix measurement systems?

No. Choose Metric or US customary and the inputs, result panel, printed report and CSV export stay in that system. Use the Construction Unit Converter for intentional conversions.

Does the calculator include overbreak?

Only when you include it in the entered dimensions or bulking allowance. Add project-specific working space, overdig and irregularity allowances explicitly.