Hole Volume Calculator
Calculate the volume of cylindrical or rectangular holes for excavation, construction, or landscaping projects.
Calculate Your Hole Volume Calculator
Hole Specifications
Whether you're digging post holes, excavating for a pool, or preparing foundations for a construction project, accurately calculating the volume of soil to be removed is essential for planning and budgeting.
This calculator helps you determine the volume of cylindrical (round) or rectangular holes, which is useful for estimating excavation requirements, backfill materials, or concrete needed to fill the holes.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select whether your hole is cylindrical (round) or rectangular
- For cylindrical holes, enter the diameter in inches
- For rectangular holes, enter the width and length in inches
- Specify the depth of the hole in inches
- Enter the number of identical holes you need to calculate
- Click "Calculate Hole Volume" to get your results
Common Applications
- Fence Post Holes: Typically 8-12 inches in diameter and 2-3 feet deep
- Deck Footings: Usually 8-24 inches in diameter depending on the load requirements
- Foundation Holes: Can be various sizes based on architectural plans
- Tree Planting: Generally 2-3 times the width of the root ball and as deep as the root ball
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Frequently Asked Questions
For standard residential fence posts, dig holes that are 1/3 the height of the post above ground. For a 6-foot fence, that means holes about 2-3 feet deep. In areas with freeze-thaw cycles, ensure the hole goes below the frost line.
For small holes, a post hole digger or auger works well. For larger excavations, consider a mini-excavator or backhoe. Always call utility companies before digging to avoid hitting underground lines.
The volume calculated by this tool is exactly what you need. For a typical 10-inch diameter, 30-inch deep fence post hole, you'll need about 1.36 cubic feet of concrete, which is approximately 2 bags of 80lb concrete mix.
Yes, for load-bearing posts in areas that freeze, making the bottom of the hole bell-shaped (wider at the bottom) helps prevent frost heave by creating a concrete "foot" that resists upward movement.
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