Earthwork calculators, equipment specs and cost guides
Figure the dirt before you dig.
Free calculators for dirt, fill and gravel, machine specs taken from manufacturer spec sheets, and plain answers on what earthwork costs in the US. Every number shows its formula or its source.
Worked example: fill dirt to order
6.13yd³
| Area | 24 ft × 12 ft = 288 sq ft |
| Depth | 6 in = 0.5 ft |
| Loose volume | 144 ft³ = 5.33 yd³ |
| Plus 15% for compaction | 6.13 yd³ |
Formula: 24 × 12 × 0.5 ÷ 27 × 1.15
How to calculate cubic yards
Multiply length, width and depth, all in feet, then divide by 27. That works because one cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft).
- Multiply length by width: 24 ft × 12 ft = 288 sq ft.
- Convert depth to feet: 6 in ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft.
- Multiply by depth: 288 × 0.5 = 144 cubic feet.
- Divide by 27: 144 ÷ 27 = 5.33 cubic yards.
Cubic yards = L (ft) × W (ft) × D (ft) ÷ 27
Earthwork calculators
Each calculator shows its formula and a worked example, so you can check the math before you order. We are building these now.
Cubic yard calculator
Any shape, any material. Feet, inches, square feet or cubic feet to cubic yards, with bags, weight and cost.
Live
Trailer weight calculator
Loaded trailer weight checked against GVWR, axles, tow rating and payload.
Live
Machine specs, straight from the spec sheet
We take every figure from the manufacturer’s published specifications and link to the source.
Bobcat · Compact track loader
T770
| Operating weight10,515 lb | Engine92 hp |
| Tipping load9,929 lb | Hinge pin height132 in |
Full Bobcat T770 specs · Source: Bobcat
| Machine | Type | Operating weight | Engine power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat T770 | Compact track loader | 10,515 lb | 92 hp |
| Cat 259D3 | Compact track loader | 8,987 lb | 73.2 hp net |
| Bobcat E35 | Mini excavator | 7,659 lb | 24.8 hp |
Cost guides
Plain answers on what US earthwork costs, with the sources behind every range. These are the first guides we are writing.
- How much is a yard of dirt?Price per cubic yard
- Cost to dig a basementNew build and dig-out
- Land clearing cost per acreBy vegetation density
- Cost to dig a pondBy size and soil
- Backhoe vs. excavatorWhich machine fits the job
- How much does a skid steer weigh?By frame size
Who checks the numbers
BucketMath is written and checked by the BucketMath Team, led by Madhav. We cover earthwork math, compact equipment and what the work costs in the US.
Spotted a number that looks wrong? Email bucketmath1@gmail.com and we will check it against the source.
How we check
- Machine specs come from the manufacturer’s published spec sheet, linked on the page.
- Every calculator shows its formula and a worked example.
- Cost ranges name their sources and the date we checked them.
- Each page shows when it was last updated.
Quick answers
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. For 400 sq ft at 4 inches deep: 400 × 0.333 = 133.3 cubic feet, and 133.3 ÷ 27 = 4.94 cubic yards.
How do I convert inches of depth to feet?
Divide by 12. 6 inches is 0.5 ft, 4 inches is 0.333 ft and 3 inches is 0.25 ft.
Why order extra fill dirt?
Loose fill packs down when it is compacted, so the hole takes more material than its measured volume. Supplier calculators commonly add 10 to 25 percent; the worked example above uses 15 percent.