FREE ONLINE CALCULATOR
Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, material weight, and estimated cost for concrete, gravel, soil, mulch, sand, and more.
Calculate Cubic Yards
Enter your dimensions, select a shape and unit, then calculate your material volume.
1. Select Shape
2. Enter Dimensions
Enter the width of the area.
Use the same unit selected below.
Number of identical areas.
3. Select Unit
4. Optional Material
Optional allowance for waste, settling, or uneven areas.
Optional. Enter your local material price.
Your Results
Estimated volume based on the dimensions you entered.
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cubic yards
Cubic Feet
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Cubic Meters
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Area
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Calculation Details
Your calculation details will appear here.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume commonly used in landscaping, construction, concrete work, excavation, and material delivery. One cubic yard represents a space measuring one yard long, one yard wide, and one yard deep.
Because one yard equals three feet, one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.
1 Cubic Yard
27 cubic feet
1 Cubic Yard
0.7646 cubic meters
1 Cubic Meter
1.30795 cubic yards
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
For a rectangular area, multiply the length by the width and depth to determine the volume in cubic feet. Then divide the cubic feet by 27 to convert the result to cubic yards.
Cubic Yards = Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27
This formula assumes that all dimensions are measured in feet.
Example
Suppose an area is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 inches deep. First convert the depth to feet:
4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 feet
Then calculate:
20 × 10 × 0.333 ÷ 27 ≈ 2.47 cubic yards
Cubic Yard Conversions
These common conversions can help when comparing measurements between different units.
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.7646 cubic meters |
| 1 cubic foot | 0.03704 cubic yards |
| 1 cubic meter | 1.30795 cubic yards |
Calculating Concrete, Gravel, Soil, Mulch & Sand
Concrete
Contractors commonly use cubic yards when ordering ready-mix concrete. Measure the length, width, and slab thickness, convert the dimensions to feet, and calculate the required volume. Adding a small allowance can help account for waste and variations in the actual site conditions.
Gravel
Gravel is frequently sold by the cubic yard. Use the area and desired depth to determine the required volume. Driveways, walkways, drainage areas, and landscaping projects can all be estimated using cubic yards.
Soil and Topsoil
Garden beds and landscaping projects are often measured in cubic yards. The required quantity depends on the surface area and desired soil depth.
Mulch
Mulch is commonly purchased by the cubic yard. A deeper layer requires more material, while a thinner layer requires less. Remember that mulch can settle over time, so an additional allowance may be useful.
Sand
Sand for construction, playgrounds, pavers, and other projects can also be estimated using cubic yards. The calculator can provide an approximate weight when a material is selected.
Why Depth Matters
Small changes in depth can significantly change the amount of material required. For example, doubling the depth of a rectangular area doubles its volume.
This is why it is important to measure the actual depth or thickness required for your project instead of estimating it.
Should You Add Extra Material?
Many projects benefit from ordering slightly more material than the exact mathematical volume. Extra material may account for waste, settling, uneven surfaces, spillage, compaction, or measurement differences.
Use the optional extra-material field in this calculator to add a percentage to your calculated volume.
Material Weight Estimates
Different materials have different densities. A cubic yard of concrete weighs considerably more than a cubic yard of mulch. The material-weight option uses approximate densities to provide an estimated weight.
Actual material weight can vary because of moisture content, compaction, particle size, composition, and supplier-specific material characteristics.
Common Cubic Yard Calculation Mistakes
- Forgetting to convert inches to feet.
- Using square feet when cubic feet are required.
- Forgetting that one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
- Measuring depth inconsistently across the project.
- Not accounting for waste, settling, or uneven areas.
- Assuming all materials have the same weight per cubic yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth to calculate cubic feet,
then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet into cubic yards.
Make sure all dimensions use the same unit.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.
How many cubic yards do I need for mulch?
Multiply the area in square feet by the desired depth in
feet, then divide by 27. You can add an extra percentage
to account for settling or waste.
Can I use this calculator for concrete?
Yes. Enter the length, width, and concrete thickness,
select the appropriate unit, and choose Concrete if you
also want an estimated material weight.
Can this calculator estimate material weight?
Yes. Select a material to estimate its weight using an
approximate density. Actual weight can vary depending
on moisture, compaction, and material composition.
How much is one cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet or approximately
0.7646 cubic meters.
Disclaimer:
This calculator provides estimates for general planning purposes.
Material density, site conditions, waste, compaction, moisture,
supplier measurements, and other factors can affect actual quantities.
Always verify project requirements and material quantities with your
contractor, supplier, or project professional when accuracy is critical.