Topsoil Fill Volume Calculator

Calculator Inputs

Project Name

Material Type

Shape

Dimension Unit

Depth

Depth Unit

Length

Width

Radius

Base

Height

Top Width

Bottom Width

Height

Manual Area

Area Unit

Compaction / Swell %

Waste %

Output Volume Unit

Density

Density Unit

Weight Output Unit

Cost Per Selected Volume Unit ($)

Truck Capacity

Truck Capacity Unit

Example Data Table

Scenario	Shape	Dimensions	Depth	Compaction / Swell	Waste	Sample Order Volume
Landscape bed refresh	Rectangle	40 ft × 18 ft	6 in	10%	5%	15.40 yd³
Circular tree island	Circle	Radius 12 ft	4 in	8%	4%	6.77 yd³
Fill pad widening	Trapezoid	10 ft / 18 ft / 30 ft	1.5 ft	12%	6%	25.20 yd³
Manual plan quantity	Manual Area	800 sq ft	5 in	9%	3%	14.04 yd³

These rows are example values only. Your exact results depend on shape, depth, unit choices, density, waste, and compaction or swell allowances.

Formula Used

Area formulas

Rectangle: Area = Length × Width

Circle: Area = π × Radius²

Triangle: Area = 0.5 × Base × Height

Trapezoid: Area = ((Top Width + Bottom Width) ÷ 2) × Height

Manual Area: Area = Entered plan area

Volume formulas

Net Volume = Area × Depth

Order Volume = Net Volume × (1 + Compaction/Swell %) × (1 + Waste %)

Estimated Weight = Order Volume × Density

Use compaction or swell when material must be ordered loose but placed compacted, or when hauled soil expands after excavation.

How to Use This Calculator

Select the material type and the area shape that best matches your jobsite.
Enter dimensions for the chosen shape, or enter a manual area from a plan takeoff.
Choose the correct depth and unit system for your measurements.
Add compaction or swell and waste percentages to reflect real ordering conditions.
Enter density to estimate delivered weight and truck capacity to estimate trips.
Set the cost per selected output volume unit, then calculate.
Review the result card, chart, and export buttons for reporting.

FAQs

1) What is the difference between net volume and order volume?

Net volume is the pure geometric quantity from area and depth. Order volume adds jobsite allowances such as compaction, swell, and waste so material purchases better match field conditions.

2) When should I use topsoil instead of fill?

Use topsoil for planting zones, finish grading, and turf support. Use fill for raising grades, backfilling, and building pads where structural buildup matters more than organic content.

3) Why is density included in the calculator?

Density converts ordered volume into estimated weight. That helps with hauling plans, truck loading, supplier quotes, and checking whether equipment or access routes can handle the material.

4) How do I choose a compaction or swell percentage?

Use supplier data, geotechnical guidance, or past project history. Fill often needs compaction allowance, while excavated or loose material may need swell allowance before transport or placement.

5) Can I use manual area from drawings or digital takeoffs?

Yes. The manual area option is useful when your plan area already comes from software, scaled drawings, drone mapping, or field sketches and only depth-based quantity is needed.

6) What truck capacity should I enter?

Enter the usable hauling volume for the truck or trailer you expect to load. Real capacities vary by body type, legal weight limits, and moisture content of the soil.

7) Does this calculator work for irregular areas?

Yes. Use manual area when the footprint is irregular and your total area is already known. That keeps the volume math accurate without forcing a simplified shape.

8) Should I round my final order upward?

Usually yes. Small rounding up helps prevent shortages caused by grading tolerance, uneven subgrade, spillage, moisture changes, and field conditions that reduce usable placed material.