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YardCalc

Construction and Landscaping Calculators

Calculate the Material Your Project Needs

Estimate cubic yards, volume, coverage, quantities, and material cost for construction and landscaping projects. YardCalc turns length, width, and depth into the numbers you order with.

Use the Cubic Yard CalculatorBrowse Conversion Tools

How the math works

LengthWidthDepth
  1. Length x width x depth40 cu ft
  2. Divide by 2740 / 27
  3. Cubic yards1.48 cu yd

Example: a 12 ft by 10 ft area at 4 inches deep.

Start here

What are you calculating?

Jump straight to the tool that matches your task.

Understand cubic yards

What does one cubic yard represent?

A cubic yard measures volume, not area. It is the space inside a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.

27
Cubic feet
46,656
Cubic inches
about 0.7646
Cubic meters

Area covers length and width only. Volume adds depth, which is why a project always needs a thickness before you can order by the yard.

3 ft wide3 ft high3 ft deep1 cubic yard27 cubic feet

Materials

Browse calculators by material

YardCalc is growing into a complete library of construction and landscaping calculators, organized by the material you are working with.

  • Cubic Yard and Conversions

    Convert between cubic feet, cubic yards, and project dimensions, and estimate volume for any fill.

  • ConcreteComing soon

    Estimate concrete volume for slabs, footings, and columns, including waste allowance.

  • Gravel and StoneComing soon

    Plan gravel, crushed stone, and decorative rock by volume and weight for driveways and paths.

  • MulchComing soon

    Calculate mulch volume and bag counts for beds and borders at common depths.

  • Soil and DirtComing soon

    Estimate topsoil, fill dirt, and compost for gardens, lawns, and grading projects.

  • SandComing soon

    Work out sand volume and weight for bedding, paver bases, and concrete mixes.

  • AsphaltComing soon

    Estimate hot mix asphalt for driveways and lots by area, depth, and tonnage.

  • Construction MaterialsComing soon

    General material and ordering tools for everyday construction estimating.

How YardCalc works

From measurements to a confident order

Four simple steps turn a project into a material quantity.

  1. 1

    Measure the area

    Take the length and width, or pick a shape and enter its dimensions.

  2. 2

    Add depth

    Set how deep or thick the material needs to be.

  3. 3

    Calculate volume

    YardCalc finds cubic feet and divides by 27 for cubic yards.

  4. 4

    Review and confirm

    Check the breakdown, add waste if needed, then confirm with your supplier.

Common project types

Know what to measure for your project

Most jobs come down to an area and a depth. Here is what each one usually needs.

  • Concrete slab

    Measure: Length, width, thickness

    Result: Cubic yards to order

  • Gravel driveway

    Measure: Length, width, depth

    Result: Cubic yards or tons

  • Mulch bed

    Measure: Bed area and depth

    Result: Cubic yards or bags

  • Raised garden bed

    Measure: Inside dimensions and fill depth

    Result: Cubic yards of soil

  • Drainage trench

    Measure: Length, width, depth

    Result: Cubic yards of gravel

  • Paver base

    Measure: Area and base thickness

    Result: Cubic yards of sand or stone

  • Backfill

    Measure: Space to fill as simple shapes

    Result: Cubic yards of fill

  • Excavation

    Measure: Dig dimensions

    Result: Cubic yards removed

Estimate your project volume

Calculation methodology

Numbers you can check

YardCalc keeps exact unit conversions separate from variable material estimates, and asks you to confirm final quantities with your supplier.

  • Visible formulas and steps

    Every tool shows its formula, a worked example, and a full breakdown.

  • Generated reference tables

    Coverage and conversion tables come straight from the calculation engine.

  • Sourced material data

    Densities and bag yields are reviewed and sourced before they appear.

Review the YardCalc methodologyLearn about YardCalc

Frequently asked questions

What does YardCalc calculate?
YardCalc estimates material volume in cubic feet and cubic yards from your project dimensions, converts between common volume units, and is growing to cover weight, bags, and project costs for construction and landscaping materials.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length by width by depth with every measurement in feet to get cubic feet, then divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. The cubic yard calculator does this for you.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, because a cubic yard is a 3 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot cube.
Can YardCalc estimate material weight?
Weight depends on the density of the specific material. YardCalc shows weight only once a material density has been reviewed and sourced, so it is not available for every material yet.
Are material estimates exact?
Unit conversions are exact. Material estimates are planning figures, because real quantities are affected by site conditions, compaction, and product variation. Confirm the final amount with your supplier.
Should I add extra material for waste?
Usually yes. A waste allowance covers spillage, compaction, and small measurement errors. The right percentage depends on the material and the project, so the cubic yard calculator lets you set your own.
Can I use the calculators on a phone?
Yes. Every calculator is mobile friendly, with large inputs and results that update as you type.
Does YardCalc support US customary units?
Yes. YardCalc is built for the United States and uses feet, inches, cubic feet, cubic yards, and US short tons.

Start with your project measurements

Enter a length, width, and depth, and YardCalc handles the rest, from cubic yards to optional cost.

Open the Cubic Yard CalculatorView conversion tools