Mound Volume Calculator
Estimate the volume of a conical mound or tipped stockpile from its base diameter and height. When loose material is dumped, it settles into a cone at its natural angle of repose, so a cone is a good first approximation of the pile's volume.
Enter Values
How to use this calculator
- Measure the diameter across the base of the pile and enter it in metres.
- Measure or estimate the peak height of the pile from the ground and enter it.
- Read the mound volume in cubic metres, along with the base radius and base area.
How it works
The mound is modelled as a right circular cone. The base radius r is half the base diameter, the base area is π·r², and the volume is one third of the base area times the height: V = (1/3)·π·r²·h. This is the standard cone volume formula used for conical stockpiles.
Worked example
Worked example. A tipped pile with a 20 m base diameter and 6 m peak height has a base radius of 10 m, a base area of π·10² = 314.16 m², and a volume of (1/3)·π·10²·6 = 628.32 m³.
Common mistakes
- Entering the base radius in the diameter field — this tool expects the full diameter across the base.
- Measuring a leaning or asymmetrical pile as if it were a perfect cone; real piles rarely are.
- Confusing loose (bulked) volume with the compacted or in-bank volume of the same material.
Frequently asked questions
Does this give tonnes?
No — it gives loose volume in cubic metres. Multiply by the material's loose bulk density (t/m³) to estimate mass.
What if the pile is flat-topped or truncated?
A full cone will overestimate a flat-topped pile. For truncated cones, use a frustum calculation instead of this one.
Related tools
- Pit Volume from Dimensions Calculator
- Irregular Stockpile Volume Estimator
- Capsule Volume Calculator
- Sump Inflow Rate Calculator
- Tank Volume Calculator
- Stockpile Shape Volume Calculator
Explore more in Geometry, Shape, Area & Volume.
Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Mound Volume Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/mound-volume-calculator/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
Designed to run locally in your browser. Tool inputs are not intentionally stored by Zerdly unless stated otherwise.