Trench Spoil Volume Calculator
Estimate bank excavation, loose spoil volume, reusable material, hauled volume, full truckloads and disposal cost for a rectangular trench.
Default project preview
27.78 yd³
Bank excavation
22.22 yd³
Reused on site
8.33 yd³
Volume to haul
19.44 yd³
Truckloads
2
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Bank volume = length × width × depth. Loose spoil = bank volume × swell factor. Haul volume subtracts the entered reuse percentage, then truckloads are rounded up.
BuildMeter Guides
Understand the measurements and assumptions
Use these visible reference guides before changing project inputs or planning allowances.
FAQ
Trench Spoil Volume Calculator questions
Why is loose spoil larger than the trench?+
Excavated soil expands because its in-place structure is disturbed and void space increases.
Can all excavated soil be reused as backfill?+
Not always. Material suitability, compaction requirements and displaced pipe or bedding volume affect reuse.
Does truck capacity equal legal payload?+
Not necessarily. Weight limits and material density may reduce the usable volume per load.