Cut and Fill Calculator
Calculate the net earthwork balance for a site from its cut volume and fill volume — whether you'll have excess soil to haul away or need to import more.
How this calculator works
Grading a site usually means cutting soil from high spots and using it to fill low spots. This calculator compares the volume you’re cutting against the volume you need for fill, so you know whether you’ll end up with leftover soil to haul away or a shortfall that needs imported fill.
Formula: Net volume = cut volume − fill volume needed. A positive result means excess material to haul away; a negative result means a shortfall that needs imported fill.
Worked example
150 cubic yards cut from high areas, 90 cubic yards needed to fill low areas:
- Cut volume: 150 cubic yards
- Fill volume needed: 90 cubic yards
- Net volume: 150 − 90 = 60 cubic yards excess to haul away
Notes
A site graded to “balance” — cut equals fill, net zero — avoids both hauling-away and importing costs, which is why site designers often adjust a grading plan specifically to get as close to balanced as possible. A large net positive or negative both cost money: excess soil needs a dump site and hauling, while a shortfall needs purchased fill and delivery.
How to use
Enter your cut volume (soil to be removed from high areas) and your fill volume needed (soil required to raise low areas), both in cubic yards. The calculator subtracts fill from cut to give you the net balance — positive means excess to haul away, negative means a shortfall to import.
A planning estimate from your own cut/fill volume inputs. Get those volumes from an accurate site survey or grading plan for a real earthwork budget.
Frequently asked questions
What does a positive vs. negative cut-and-fill result mean?
A positive net volume means your cut volume (soil removed from high areas) is greater than your fill volume (soil needed for low areas), leaving excess material to haul away. A negative net volume means the opposite — you don't have enough cut material and need to import fill to cover the shortfall.
What does it mean for a site to be 'balanced'?
A balanced site is one where cut volume equals fill volume, giving a net result of zero. That means no soil needs to be hauled away and none needs to be imported, which avoids both costs. Site designers often adjust a grading plan specifically to get as close to balanced as possible.
Why does an unbalanced cut-and-fill result cost money either way?
A large net positive (excess cut) means you need a dump site and hauling to remove the extra soil. A large net negative (shortfall) means you need to purchase and deliver imported fill. Both directions add cost, which is why getting close to a balanced net-zero result is generally the cheaper outcome.
Where do I get accurate cut and fill volume numbers for my site?
These come from an accurate site survey or grading plan, typically prepared by a civil engineer or surveyor using existing and proposed elevation data. Estimating cut and fill volumes by eye is unreliable — the volumes this calculator uses as inputs should come from real survey data.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.