How to use it
- Enter length in feet.
- Enter width in feet.
- Enter depth in inches.
- Read cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons results.
What this calculator does
It turns the three dimensions of a hole—length, width, and depth—into three practical measures: cubic feet, cubic yards, and an estimated weight in tons. Knowing the volume helps you order the right amount of fill, avoid over‑paying, and plan equipment needs.
- Cubic feet is the raw volume from your inputs.
- Cubic yards is the industry‑standard for ordering dirt (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).
- Tons is an approximate weight (1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 US tons).
Read the numbers, round up for safety, and you’ll have a clear, actionable estimate for any residential excavation project.
Pro tips
- Add 10% extra volume for compaction and waste.
- Round up to the nearest whole cubic yard when ordering material.
- Check local supplier weight conversions; 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 tons.
- Enter depth in inches; the calculator converts it to feet automatically.
Real-life examples
- Planning a new garden bed and need to know how much soil to buy.
- Estimating fill for a driveway trench before hiring a contractor.
- Calculating the amount of sand needed for a children's play area.
Case study
Mike entered a 12 ft × 8 ft hole 18 in deep, got 16.0 cubic yards and 20.8 tons, ordered 17 cubic yards, and completed his patio without a single extra delivery.