Construction Calculator - Construction Converters

Hole Volume Calculator

Estimate circular hole volume for posts, piers, and excavations.

Reviewed: August 26, 2026

Calculate Hole Volume

For the Hole Volume Calculator, enter diameter, depth / height, waste allowance, material density, and material price. It converts a circular hole's diameter and depth to cubic yards, then applies allowance, density, and optional material price.

Construction measuring tools arranged beside a residential building project

Formula used

Cubic yards = [π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth ÷ 27] × (1 + waste ÷ 100), after converting dimensions to feet

Hole Volume Calculator measurement plan showing Diameter inches, Depth / height feet, Waste allowance percent

Worked hole volume example

Hole Volume Calculator example: π × (13.7 in ÷ 12 ÷ 2)² × 3 ft = 3.07 ft³. Applying 10% gives 0.13 yd³; round any bag conversion to whole packages.

What the converted result represents

Use cubic feet or yards according to the fill supplier, and apply allowance only after considering whether the post or pipe volume should be subtracted.

Limits of the geometric model

Augered holes can flare, wander, cave, or contain a post that displaces fill, so a perfect cylinder is an approximation.

Questions specific to this calculation

Does the hole calculation subtract an object placed inside it?

Enter the finished hole diameter and depth using the units shown. For multiple identical holes, multiply the displayed result or use the dedicated post-hole tool.