Why is it....

Depends on soil structure.
If wetor sandy soil you will not have enough. When you backfill the sandy soil drys out and
the pore spaces decrease.

On heavier soils, opposite, will have leftover.
Tight soil becomes aerated, thus seemingly extra. But trust me, it will all fit when watered down eventually.


D.

plumbed for 47 yrs., and "never" did all the dirt go back into a ditch , unless compacted in layers.