Cut and Fill Volume Calculator

It estimates the volume between two cross-sections by averaging their areas and multiplying by the distance between them: volume equals length times the sum of the two areas divided by 2. It is the standard shortcut for earthwork takeoffs from surveyed sections.

It is exact when the cross-section changes linearly from one station to the next, and it slightly overestimates when the ground curves in between. On highway and site work it is accepted as close enough for pay quantities.

When you need higher precision and have a measured area at the midpoint, the prismoidal formula weights the middle section and reduces the overestimate. This tool uses only the two end areas, which is the more common field method.

Divide cubic feet by 27, because one cubic yard is a 3 by 3 by 3 foot cube. The calculator shows both numbers, so 6000 cubic feet reads as about 222.22 cubic yards.

Both, because the arithmetic is identical. Use cut cross-section areas to estimate excavation and fill cross-section areas to estimate embankment, and read the volume for that material.

Run the calculator on each neighboring pair of stations, then add the volumes. Chaining consecutive average end area segments this way is exactly how a full earthwork profile is summed.

A real volume needs real cross-sections and a real run, so zero or negative entries are rejected. Enter measured areas in square feet and the length in feet.

No. It returns the in-place, or bank, volume. To find loose truck volume or compacted fill you must apply a swell or shrinkage factor to this figure separately.

The browser tool computes everything locally, so your station areas and lengths stay on your device. Only the optional JSON API sends values over the network.