Earthwork & Sitework Calculator
Accurately estimate cut, fill, export, and import volumes for Florida construction sites. Account for soil swell and compaction factors instantly.
How to Use the Earthwork Calculator
Calculating accurate cut and fill volumes is essential for any successful sitework or excavation project in Florida. Our free Earthwork Calculator helps contractors, builders, and developers estimate the net soil balance for their site.
Understanding Soil Factors
Earthwork estimating is more complex than simple geometric volumes because soil volume changes when disturbed:
- Swell Factor: When soil is excavated (cut) from its natural bank state, it loosens and expands. Florida clay soils often have high swell factors (20-30%), meaning 100 cubic yards of bank (in-ground) soil may become 130 cubic yards of loose dirt to haul off.
- Compaction (Shrink) Factor: When soil is imported and compacted for fill, it shrinks. You will need to import more loose yards than the final compacted volume required by the grading plan.
Why Accurate Cut and Fill Matters
Hauling dirt is expensive. Whether you are exporting surplus soil or importing select fill, truckload costs can destroy a project's profitability if not estimated correctly. Balancing the site—using excavated cut material as fill elsewhere on the property—is the most cost-effective approach when the soil type permits.
Calculator Limitations
This tool provides a rapid, high-level estimate using average geometric formulas (length × width × depth) and generic soil properties. For bidding purposes, especially on complex topographies with varying slopes, a licensed civil takeoff using grading plans, elevation contours, and specialized 3D software is required.
