Concrete Calculator
Estimate concrete for slabs, bags and sonotube footings in one tool.
Coming soonCubic Yard Calculator
Use this cubic yard calculator to turn the size of a space into the volume of material it will hold. Enter the length, width and depth in whatever units you measured them in, or start from an area you already know. You will get cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters, which makes it easier to compare quotes and plan an order. Results are estimates for planning.
Enter your measurements and press Calculate to see your volume, order amount and bags needed.
Volume
cubic yards
cubic feet
cubic meters
Order amount
cubic yards
Rounded up to the next 0.25 cubic yard.
Bags needed
bags
Rounded up to whole bags.
Your calculation
How to use this calculator
- Pick a mode. Choose Dimensions for a rectangle, or Area + depth if you already know the area in square feet or square meters.
- Enter your measurements. Choose a unit for each one. Depth is usually small, so inches is the default. Use the ft + in option for a length such as 12 ft 6 in.
- Add quantity or extra if needed. Quantity is for several identical areas. Extra (%) is an optional allowance on top of the exact volume.
- Press Calculate. Read the volume in cubic yards, and use Copy result to save it for later.
Formula
Every measurement is first converted to feet. Then:
Cubic feet = length × width × depth × quantity × (1 + extra ÷ 100)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Cubic meters = cubic feet × 0.3048³ (about 0.0283 cubic meters per cubic foot)
We divide by 27 because one cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. Inches are divided by 12 to get feet. In Area + depth mode, the area replaces length × width.
Worked example
A patio base measures 10 ft × 10 ft and needs a 4 inch layer.
- Depth: 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.3333 ft
- Cubic feet: 10 × 10 × 0.3333 = 33.33 cubic feet
- Cubic yards: 33.33 ÷ 27 = 1.23 cubic yards
- Cubic meters: 33.33 × 0.0283 = 0.94 cubic meters
With 10% extra, the volume becomes 36.67 cubic feet, which is 1.36 cubic yards.
How far does one cubic yard go?
The deeper you spread a material, the less ground one cubic yard covers. This table shows the area covered by a single cubic yard at common depths.
| Depth | Square feet | Square meters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 30.10 |
| 2 in | 162 | 15.05 |
| 3 in | 108 | 10.03 |
| 4 in | 81 | 7.53 |
| 6 in | 54 | 5.02 |
Cubic yard conversions
Common amounts in cubic yards, with the matching cubic feet and cubic meters.
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Cubic meters |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 6.75 | 0.19 |
| 0.50 | 13.50 | 0.38 |
| 1.00 | 27.00 | 0.76 |
| 2.00 | 54.00 | 1.53 |
| 3.00 | 81.00 | 2.29 |
| 5.00 | 135.00 | 3.82 |
| 10.00 | 270.00 | 7.65 |
Measuring an irregular area
Not every space is a neat rectangle. Work out the area first, then enter it in Area + depth mode.
- Split it into rectangles. Break an L-shape or a bed with a notch into rectangles, multiply length by width for each, and add the areas.
- Add circles. For a round bed or tree ring, area = π × radius × radius, or π × (diameter ÷ 2)². A circle 6 ft across is about 28.27 sq ft.
- Average a slope. If the depth changes steadily from one end to the other, add the shallow and deep depths and divide by 2. Use that average as the depth. Uneven or curved ground needs a rough guess or several smaller sections.
For example, a 12 ft × 8 ft bed (96 sq ft) with a 6 ft round bed beside it (28.27 sq ft) gives a total area of about 124.27 sq ft.
Common uses for a cubic yard calculation
Bulk landscaping and building materials are often sold by the cubic yard. This is where the volume is handy:
- Mulch for garden beds and around trees. Measure the bed and decide how deep to spread it.
- Gravel for paths, driveways and drainage areas, where the base is a flat layer of a set depth.
- Topsoil for filling raised beds, levelling low spots and starting a lawn.
- Concrete for slabs and footings, which are ordered by volume in the same way.
Assumptions and limitations
- The space is a simple box (rectangular), with the same depth everywhere.
- The result is the volume of the space only. It does not account for the material you use, its weight, or how loosely it is packed.
- Suppliers often sell in ¼ or ½ yard steps, so round up to the next step when ordering.
- The Extra (%) field is your own allowance for settling or compaction. We do not suggest a specific percentage.
- Results are estimates for planning. Check quantities with your supplier before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, because a cubic yard is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep (3 × 3 × 3 = 27).
How do I convert a depth in inches to cubic yards?
Divide the depth in inches by 12 to get feet, multiply by the length and width in feet, then divide by 27. This calculator does the conversion for you if you choose inches as the depth unit.
How do I calculate cubic yards for a circle or an irregular area?
Work out the area separately, then use the Area + depth mode. For a circle, area = π × radius × radius. For an irregular shape, split it into rectangles, find each area and add them together.
What is the difference between a cubic yard and a square yard?
A square yard measures area (3 feet by 3 feet = 9 square feet). A cubic yard measures volume (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet = 27 cubic feet). Materials such as soil, mulch and gravel are usually sold by the cubic yard.
How much does a cubic yard weigh?
It depends on the material and how wet it is. A cubic yard of mulch weighs far less than a cubic yard of gravel. Ask your supplier for the weight per cubic yard of the specific product you are buying.
What does the Extra (%) field do?
It adds a percentage on top of the calculated volume. You can use it to allow for settling or compaction. Leave it at 0 for the exact geometric volume.
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