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Cut & Fill Balance Calculator

Compacted fill needs more cut than its own volume, because soil shrinks when compacted. 800 m³ of fill at 10% shrinkage takes 889 m³ of cut, so 1,000 m³ of cut leaves 111 m³ surplus: 139 m³ loose, about 14 loads of 10 m³ to export. The site is 89% balanced.

Inputs

Results update as you type.

Earthworks
m³
m³
m³
Soil
m³
Balance 89 % of earthworks balanced on siteBalance 89 % of earthworks balanced on siteCut needed to make the fill (bank)889 m³Surplus to export (bank)111 m³myconstructioncalculator.com
Diagram updates as you type.

Results

Check the working before you order.

Surplus to export (bank)
111m³
Cut needed to make the fill (bank)889 m³
Balance89 % of earthworks balanced on site
Export truck loads14 (139 m³ loose)
Import truck loads0 (0 m³ loose)
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Working
  1. Usable cut = 1,000 − 0 unsuitable = 1,000 m³
  2. Bank volume for the fill = 800 ÷ (1 − 10%) = 889 m³
  3. Net = usable cut − fill need = 111 m³ (surplus); loose = bank × (1 + 25%)
Results are estimates for planning and material ordering only. They are not a substitute for structural design or approval by a qualified engineer. Read the full disclaimer.
Formulas


Usable cut        = cut − unsuitable material
Cut for the fill  = compacted fill ÷ (1 − shrinkage)
Net               = usable cut − cut for the fill     (+ export, − import)
Loose volume      = bank × (1 + swell)


Worked Example


1,000 m³ cut, 800 m³ compacted fill, 10% shrink, 25% swell, 10 m³ trucks:


    

  1. Cut needed for fill = 800 ÷ 0.9 = 889 m³
    2. 

  2. Surplus = 111 m³ bank → 139 m³ loose → 14 loads
    3. 

  3. Balance = 889 ÷ 1,000 = 89%
    4. 



Typical Swell and Shrinkage






Material
Swell (bank → loose)
Shrinkage (bank → compacted)






Sand / gravel
10–15%
5–10%




Common earth
20–30%
10–15%




Clay
30–40%
10–20%




Rock fill
50–65%
bulks 20–30% instead






Use test results from your site where you have them.


Frequently Asked Questions
What does a balanced cut and fill mean?
The soil dug from high areas is enough (after shrinkage) to fill the low areas, so little or nothing is imported or exported. Balanced sites save haulage and tipping costs.
Why do I need more cut than fill?
Compaction squeezes soil into less space than it took in the ground. With 10% shrinkage, each 0.9 m³ of compacted fill needs 1 m³ of cut.
Can topsoil be used as fill?
No: topsoil and soft or organic material are unsuitable for structural fill. Enter them separately so they count as export.
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