📦 Stockpile Volume Calculator

Which Pile Shape to Use?

• Cone pile: Material dumped from a conveyor or loader that builds a natural peak. Measure the base diameter and height from the ground to the peak.
• Windrow: Material pushed into a long ridge by a dozer — triangular cross-section. Measure length, base width, and height.
• Flat-top pile: Large stockpile built with a loader or tracked equipment — the top is flattened. Use bottom and top footprint dimensions and height.

Field Measurement Tips

• Walk around the pile with a 100ft tape to measure base diameter or length/width.
• Estimate height with a grade rod, laser level, or by counting dozer blade heights.
• For large piles, drone photogrammetry is the most accurate field method.
• A surveyor with a total station gives exact volumes for contract purposes.

Swell Factor Reminder

A pile sitting at rest is in loose measure. Bank measure (what you pay for in contracts) is typically 15–65% less volume than loose, depending on material. If the pile was built from trucked material, use the appropriate swell factor to back-calculate bank volume.