Enter the berm base (in), the height (in), and the length (in) into the Berm Volume Calculator. The calculator will evaluate and display the Berm Volume.
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Berm Volume Formula
The calculator finds the cross-section area of the berm, then multiplies it by the length. The cross-section formula depends on the shape you select.
Triangular berm:
V = 0.5 * B * H * L
Trapezoidal berm (top + bottom width):
V = ((T + B) / 2) * H * L
Side-slope berm (top width + slope ratio):
V = (T + S * H) * H * L
- V = berm volume
- B = bottom (base) width
- T = top width
- H = berm height
- L = length along the berm
- S = side slope, expressed as horizontal run per 1 unit of vertical rise (H:1V)
All inputs must be in the same units before multiplying. The calculator converts everything to feet internally, then converts the final volume to your chosen output unit. The trapezoid formula assumes both side slopes are equal. For a triangular berm, the top width is treated as zero.
Reference Tables
Use these to sanity-check inputs and order the right amount of material.
| Application | Typical height | Typical side slope (H:1V) |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape mound | 1 to 3 ft | 3:1 to 4:1 |
| Erosion / sediment berm | 1.5 to 2 ft | 2:1 |
| Noise berm | 6 to 15 ft | 2:1 to 3:1 |
| Containment / spill berm | 2 to 4 ft | 2:1 |
| Earth dam (small) | 5 to 20 ft | 2.5:1 to 3:1 |
Loose soil shrinks once compacted, so order more than the calculated in-place volume.
| Material | Compaction shrink factor | Order this much loose volume |
|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | ~20% | Calc volume × 1.25 |
| Sand | ~10% | Calc volume × 1.10 |
| Clay | ~25% | Calc volume × 1.30 |
| Crushed stone | ~5 to 10% | Calc volume × 1.10 |
Example and FAQ
Example. A trapezoidal noise berm has a 4 ft top, 16 ft bottom, 6 ft height, and runs 100 ft long.
Cross-section = ((4 + 16) / 2) × 6 = 60 sq ft. Volume = 60 × 100 = 6,000 cu ft = 222.2 cu yd.
What side slope should I use? 2:1 is standard for stable earth fill. Use 3:1 or flatter if you plan to mow the berm or want a gentler look.
Triangular or trapezoidal? Use triangular only if the berm comes to a point. Anything with a flat or rounded top is closer to a trapezoid, and using the trapezoidal mode will give you a more accurate volume.
How do I handle a berm that curves? Measure the length along the centerline of the berm, not the straight-line distance between endpoints.
Why does my delivery come up short? The calculator returns in-place (compacted) volume. Suppliers sell loose material. Apply the shrink factor above when ordering.
