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Site Grading & Earthwork Calculators

Professional earthwork tools for cut and fill, slope analysis, and soil compaction. Calculate swale volumes and haulage costs for landscape grading projects.

Calculation Method
Section Areas
For prismoidal method only
Cut/Fill Proportion
Bank-to-loose volume increase
Loose-to-compacted volume decrease
Total Volume (bank measure)
–
m³
Surplus / Import Material
–
m³ and t
Cut Volume
–
m³
Fill Volume
–
m³
Net Balance
–
m³ surplus/deficit
Loose Volume (for transport)
–
m³
Compacted Fill Volume
–
m³
Volume Balance Status
Average End Area: V = (A1+A2)/2 × L. Prismoidal: V = L/6 × (A1+4×Am+A2) — more accurate for varying cross-sections. Swell factor accounts for bulking when excavated material is loosened (typically 15–30% depending on soil type). Shrinkage accounts for compaction reducing placed volume (typically 5–15%).
Slope Geometry
Terrace / Bench Layout
Auto from rise/run
Slope
–
%
Slope Ratio (H:V)
–
ratio
Angle
–
°
Terrace Horizontal Spacing
–
m
Accessibility Classification
Erosion Risk Estimate
Slope % = (rise/run)×100. Ratio H:V = run/rise : 1. Angle = atan(rise/run). General guidance: gradients >1:3 (33%) typically require retaining structures or geotechnical engineering input for stability and erosion control. BS 8004 / Eurocode 7 govern slope stability design for critical slopes.
Feature Type
Cross-Section Geometry
Hydraulics (swale only)
Volume
–
m³
Cross-sectional Area
–
m²
Top Width
–
m
Hydraulic Capacity (swale)
–
L/s
Flow Velocity
–
m/s
Sediment Trap Length
–
m
Equivalent Tonnes (berm material)
–
t
Trapezoidal cross-section: Area = (bottomWidth + sideSlope×depth) × depth. Top width = bottomWidth + 2×sideSlope×depth. Manning’s equation: V = (1/n)×R^(2/3)×S^(1/2), Q = V×A, where R = hydraulic radius = A/wetted perimeter. Target velocity <1.5 m/s to avoid erosion in vegetated channels (CIRIA C753).
Material Properties
Compaction Equipment
Required Field Density
–
kg/m³
Achievable Layer Thickness
–
mm (for selected equipment)
Estimated Passes Required
–
passes
Compaction Factor (bank to compacted)
–
ratio
Target Feasibility Check
Recommend field density verification via: Sand Replacement Test, Nuclear Density Gauge, or Plate Load Test. Proctor test (ASTM D698 / AASHTO T99) establishes MDD and OMC in the laboratory; field compaction should target ≥95% MDD within ±2% of OMC for most landscape sub-base applications.
Material & Volume
Haulage Parameters
Total Haul Cost
–
$ value
Number of Loads
–
loads
Total Weight
–
tonnes
Vehicle Trips (round trips)
–
trips
Total Fuel
–
litres
Fuel Cost
–
$ value
Vehicle Hire Cost
–
$ value
Cost per m³
–
$/m³
CO₂ from Haulage
–
kg CO₂
Cycle time per load = (2×distance/speed × 60) + loadingTime minutes. Total vehicle hours = loads × cycle time / 60. CO₂ factor: 2.68 kg CO₂ per litre of diesel (DEFRA conversion factors). Consider minimum order quantities and tipping/disposal fees separately — these are not included in this haulage-only estimate.

CalcType: Professional Site Grading and Earthwork Analysis — This comprehensive site grading and earthwork calculator is engineered to streamline complex landform engineering and topographic adjustments for landscape architects, civil engineers, and site contractors. By utilizing industry-standard methodologies such as the Average End Area and Prismoidal Formula, our tool provides precise volume estimations for cut and fill operations, ensuring optimal site balance and cost-effective soil management. Beyond basic volume calculations, this suite includes specialized modules for slope analysis, terrace bench spacing, and trapezoidal swale/berm design, alongside critical soil science parameters such as swell and shrinkage factors (compaction ratios) to account for loose vs. bank volume during transport. Whether you are verifying ADA-compliant ramp grades, managing erosion control through swale sizing, or projecting haulage and disposal costs, CalcType offers the technical rigor required for professional site documentation and schematic design phases. Technical Disclaimer: The data and results generated by this calculator are intended for preliminary estimation and schematic planning purposes only; all final earthwork volumes, slope stability, and structural grading plans must be verified by a licensed professional engineer (PE) or landscape architect (PLA) prior to construction or permitting. CalcType assumes no liability for financial discrepancies, structural failures, or project delays resulting from the use of these estimation tools, and users are responsible for cross-referencing results with local building codes and site-specific geotechnical reports.