Dump Truck Load Calculator

Count truck loads properly — checking both constraints. Rated bed volume (adjusted by a fill efficiency) says how much fits; the legal payload and material density say how much you’re allowed to carry. The calculator finds which one governs and counts loads accordingly.

Haul Volume & Truck

Loose Volume to Haul

yd³

Truck Rated Capacity

yd³

Fill Efficiency

Material Density (optional)

tons/yd³

Legal Payload Limit (optional)

tons

Enter your haul volume and truck size to count loads.

Volume limit vs. weight limit

Effective load = min( capacity × efficiency , payload ÷ density )

Light materials (dry soil, mulch) cube out — the bed fills before the axles hit legal weight. Dense materials (wet clay, crushed rock, sand) weigh out — the truck reaches payload with the bed only partly full. At 1.3 tons/yd³ a 12 yd³ bed at 90% fill carries 10.8 yd³ ≈ 14 tons, right at a typical 15-ton tandem payload; at 1.5 tons/yd³ the same truck weighs out at 10 yd³.

Typical truck sizes

Single-axle dumps: 5–6 yd³ and ~6–8 ton payloads. Tandems: 10–14 yd³, ~13–16 tons. Tri-axles: 14–18 yd³, ~18–20 tons. Side/belly dumps and end-dump trailers go larger. Fill efficiency of 85–95% reflects heaped-but-legal loading; use the low end for bulky, hard-to-heap material.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many yards fit in a dump truck?

Commonly 5–6 yd³ (single-axle), 10–14 yd³ (tandem), 14–18 yd³ (tri-axle) — but dense material often hits the weight limit before the bed is full.

What does “weighing out” vs “cubing out” mean?

Weighing out: the legal payload governs and the bed can’t be filled. Cubing out: bed volume governs because the material is light. The calculator reports which applies.

Why not load trucks to 100% of rated capacity?

Heaped loads shed material, and enforcement is by axle weight — 85–95% fill keeps loads legal and clean. Enter your realistic fill efficiency.