Cubic Yard Calculator

What is a cubic yard?

A cubic yard is a unit of volume. Volume is the space that a material fills.

A cube with a length, width, and height of 3 feet has a volume of 1 cubic yard.

$$3\text{ ft}\times3\text{ ft}\times3\text{ ft}=27\text{ cubic feet}=1\text{ cubic yard}$$

Suppliers use cubic yards for concrete, mulch, gravel, soil, sand, and fill dirt. Construction estimates use this unit to specify material quantities.

How to calculate cubic yards

Use the same unit for length, width, and depth.

1. Measure the length in feet.
2. Measure the width in feet.
3. Measure the material depth in feet.
4. Multiply the length by the width.
5. Multiply that result by the depth.
6. Divide the volume in cubic feet by 27.

Formula

$$\text{Cubic yards}=\frac{\text{Length (ft)}\times\text{Width (ft)}\times\text{Depth (ft)}}{27}$$

For a depth in inches, divide the depth by 12 first. For example, 6 inches divided by 12 equals 0.5 feet.

A project measures 12 feet by 10 feet. The material depth is 0.5 feet.

$$12\times10\times0.5=60\text{ cubic feet}$$ $$60\div27\approx2.22\text{ cubic yards}$$

This example does not include additional material.

Square feet to cubic yards calculator

Square feet measure area, not volume. You must also know the material depth.

1. Select the known-area option.
2. Enter the area in square feet.
3. Enter the depth and its unit.

For area in square feet and depth in inches, use this formula:

$$\text{Cubic yards}=\frac{\text{Area (sq ft)}\times\text{Depth (in)}}{324}$$

Project examples and material quantities

The table gives examples for an area of 100 square feet. Each quantity does not include additional material.

These depths are examples, not construction specifications. Material, soil, drainage, and expected load can change the necessary depth.

Use the project specification for driveway bases, slabs, and trench backfill. Do not include pipes and other objects in the space to fill.

The mulch guide gives a 2-4-inch depth range. Keep mulch away from tree trunks and plant stems.

The concrete slab guide uses 4 inches of concrete for its example. The patio sand instructions specify a 1-2-inch layer.

Cubic yard cost calculator

Multiply the quantity to order by the supplier's price per cubic yard.

$$\text{Material cost}=\text{Cubic yards to order}\times\text{Price per cubic yard}$$

For example, 2.22 cubic yards at $50 per cubic yard costs approximately $111. Delivery, tax, and other charges can increase the total.

A 5-10% additional allowance can compensate for small material losses. Compaction means that material occupies less volume after compression.

Compaction can make a different allowance necessary. Contact the supplier for the allowance that applies to your project.

Enter the allowance one time in the calculator. The quantity to order includes this allowance.

Yardage calculator: order and measurement tips

Do I round up when I order?

Yes. Round up to the supplier's available increment. Some suppliers sell in increments of 0.5 or 1 cubic yard.

For example, round 2.22 cubic yards up to 2.5 cubic yards for a half-yard increment. Make sure that the increment is correct before payment.

How do I measure an irregular area?

1. Divide the area into rectangles or other simple shapes.
2. Calculate the volume of each section.
3. Add the section volumes.

Do not count the same area two times. Use the same depth only if the material layer has a constant depth.

Related tools and sources

• Use the rock calculator for material weight in tons.
• Use the concrete calculator for slab volume and concrete bags.
• Use the cubic feet calculator for box-shaped volumes in cubic feet.
• Use the tile calculator for tile quantities above a concrete base.
• Use the Pythagorean theorem calculator for right-triangle side lengths.

NIST conversion factors give the standard unit conversions. This calculator gives an estimate of quantity, not structural strength.