Material volume calculator
Cubic Yard Calculator
This cubic yard calculator estimates how much bulk material your project needs, from a concrete slab or gravel driveway to mulch beds, topsoil, fill dirt, sand, and excavation. Pick a shape, enter your measurements in the units you have, and set the depth. You can combine several areas into one project, add an optional waste allowance, and estimate material cost. The result shows cubic yards along with cubic feet, cubic meters, and a clear breakdown of every step, so you can check the math before you order.
How it works
Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
Shapes: rectangle, circle, triangle, trapezoid, borders, multiple areas
Project Calculator
Enter your measurements to estimate cubic yards.
The right allowance varies by material and project. Base and adjusted volumes are shown separately.
Estimate cost (optional)
Cost uses the price you enter. Local prices vary, and delivery or minimum-load charges may apply.
Your result will appear here
Enter your measurements and depth to calculate cubic yards.
Quick answer
To calculate cubic yards, find the area of the project, multiply it by the depth in feet, and divide the resulting cubic feet by 27.
One cubic yard
27 cubic feet
One cubic yard
46,656 cubic inches
One cubic yard
about 0.7646 cubic meters
Coverage
324 sq ft at 1 inch deep
Core method
Find area, multiply by depth, divide by 27
How to use the cubic yard calculator
- 1
Select the project shape
Pick the shape that matches your area: rectangle, square, known area, circle, triangle, trapezoid, or a border shape.
- 2
Enter the project measurements
Type the dimensions for the shape, such as length and width, the diameter, or the base and height.
- 3
Choose the correct units
Set the unit for your dimensions. You can use inches, feet, yards, millimeters, centimeters, or meters.
- 4
Enter material depth or thickness
Add the depth and its unit. Depth is separate from any shape height, so a triangle height and the material depth never share a field.
- 5
Add quantity or more sections
Set a quantity for several identical areas, or use Add another area to combine different shapes into one project total.
- 6
Add an optional waste allowance
Enter a waste percentage if your project needs one. The base and adjusted volumes are shown separately.
- 7
Enter an optional material price
Expand Estimate cost and enter a price per cubic yard, cubic foot, or cubic meter, plus any delivery or fixed fees.
- 8
Review the result and breakdown
Read the cubic yard result, the volume in other units, and the full calculation steps before you order.
Core cubic yard formulas
Every estimate finds an area first, then applies depth, then converts to cubic yards. The area depends on the shape, but the volume steps are always the same.
- Rectangular volume in feet
- Cubic feet = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (ft)
- Cubic feet to cubic yards
- Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27
- One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so dividing by 27 converts the volume.
- Square feet and inches
- Cubic yards = square feet x depth (in) / 324
- 324 is 27 x 12. It converts depth from inches to feet (divide by 12) and cubic feet to cubic yards (divide by 27) in one step.
- Depth conversion
- Depth (ft) = depth (in) / 12
- Quantity
- Total volume = one-section volume x quantity
- Waste allowance
- Adjusted volume = base volume x (1 + waste% / 100)
- Cost
- Estimated cost = material quantity x unit price + fixed fees
Worked examples
Rectangular concrete slab
A slab 18 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 4 inches thick.
- 1Convert depth: 4 in / 12 = 0.333 ft.
- 2Find area: 18 ft x 12 ft = 216 sq ft.
- 3Find cubic feet: 216 x 0.333 = 72 cu ft.
- 4Convert to cubic yards: 72 / 27 = 2.67 cu yd.
The slab needs about 2.67 cubic yards of concrete.
Mulch bed
A bed 20 feet long and 4 feet wide at 3 inches deep. This depth is only for the example, not a recommendation.
- 1Convert depth: 3 in / 12 = 0.25 ft.
- 2Find area: 20 ft x 4 ft = 80 sq ft.
- 3Find cubic feet: 80 x 0.25 = 20 cu ft.
- 4Convert to cubic yards: 20 / 27 = 0.74 cu yd.
The bed needs about 0.74 cubic yards of mulch.
Circular garden bed
A round bed 10 feet across (diameter) at 4 inches deep.
- 1Find the radius: 10 ft / 2 = 5 ft.
- 2Find area: pi x 5 x 5 = 78.54 sq ft.
- 3Convert depth: 4 in / 12 = 0.333 ft.
- 4Find cubic feet: 78.54 x 0.333 = 26.18 cu ft.
- 5Convert to cubic yards: 26.18 / 27 = 0.97 cu yd.
The round bed needs about 0.97 cubic yards of soil.
Triangular landscape section
A triangle with a 12 foot base and a 9 foot triangle height, filled 3 inches deep.
- 1Find area: 0.5 x 12 ft x 9 ft = 54 sq ft.
- 2Convert depth: 3 in / 12 = 0.25 ft.
- 3Find cubic feet: 54 x 0.25 = 13.5 cu ft.
- 4Convert to cubic yards: 13.5 / 27 = 0.5 cu yd.
The triangular section needs 0.5 cubic yards of material.
Gravel project with two sections
A driveway split into two rectangles: 30 ft x 10 ft and 12 ft x 8 ft, both 4 inches deep.
- 1Section 1: 30 x 10 = 300 sq ft, x 0.333 ft = 100 cu ft, which is 3.70 cu yd.
- 2Section 2: 12 x 8 = 96 sq ft, x 0.333 ft = 32 cu ft, which is 1.19 cu yd.
- 3Add cubic feet: 100 + 32 = 132 cu ft.
- 4Convert to cubic yards: 132 / 27 = 4.89 cu yd.
The two sections need about 4.89 cubic yards of gravel.
Waste-adjusted project
The 2.67 cubic yard slab above with a 10 percent waste allowance. The percentage is an example, not a recommendation.
- 1Start with the base volume: 2.67 cu yd.
- 2Apply waste: 2.67 x (1 + 10 / 100) = 2.93 cu yd.
With a 10 percent allowance, plan for about 2.93 cubic yards.
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard measures three-dimensional volume, not length or area. It is the space inside a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.
Because 3 times 3 times 3 equals 27, one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. It also equals 46,656 cubic inches and about 0.7646 cubic meters.
A cubic yard is not the same as a linear yard, which is a length of 3 feet, and it is not the same as a square yard, which measures area. Only a cubic yard describes how much bulk material fills a space.
Cubic yard formulas by shape
Each shape uses its own area formula, then the same volume steps: multiply the area by the depth in feet and divide by 27.
Known area
- Area
- Area is entered directly
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area (sq ft) x depth (in) / 324
- Inputs
- Known area, Area unit, Depth
- Example
- You measured a patio as 240 square feet and need 2 inches of base.
- Common mistake
- Using area without a depth. Area alone cannot give a volume.
Square
- Area
- Area = side x side
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Side length, Depth
- Example
- A square pad with 8 foot sides.
- Common mistake
- Measuring only one side and forgetting it applies to both.
Rectangle
- Area
- Area = length x width
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Length, Width, Depth
- Example
- A driveway 24 feet long and 10 feet wide.
- Common mistake
- Entering inches in a field set to feet.
Circle
- Area
- Area = pi x radius x radius
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Diameter or radius, Depth
- Example
- A round patio 12 feet across.
- Common mistake
- Entering the diameter while the calculator expects a radius.
Triangle
- Area
- Area = 0.5 x base x triangle height
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Base, Triangle height, Depth
- Example
- A triangular corner bed.
- Common mistake
- Using the triangle height as the material depth. They are different.
Trapezoid
- Area
- Area = ((side A + side B) / 2) x height
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Parallel side A, Parallel side B, Height between sides, Depth
- Example
- A bed that is wider at one end than the other.
- Common mistake
- Using a slanted side instead of the perpendicular height.
Rectangle border
- Area
- Area = outer rectangle minus inner rectangle
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Outer length, Outer width, Border width, Depth
- Example
- A gravel path around a rectangular lawn.
- Common mistake
- Setting a border width that is too wide for the outer size.
Circular border
- Area
- Area = outer circle minus inner circle
- Volume
- Cubic yards = area x depth (ft) / 27
- Inputs
- Outer diameter, Inner diameter, Depth
- Example
- A mulch ring around a tree.
- Common mistake
- Setting the inner diameter equal to or larger than the outer.
For a project with several shapes, calculate each part as its own section and add the results. The calculator does this for you with the Add another area control.
How Much Area Does One Cubic Yard Cover?
Square feet that one cubic yard covers at each depth, from the formula 324 divided by depth in inches.
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 648 sq ft |
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 5 in | 64.8 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 8 in | 40.5 sq ft |
| 10 in | 32.4 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
Shallower depth covers more area, and deeper material covers less. Coverage is a geometric result, so real installed coverage can vary with uneven grade, settling, or compaction.
Square Feet to Cubic Yards by Depth
Cubic yards needed for each area and depth, from square feet times depth in inches divided by 324.
| Area | 1 in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in | 12 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.154 | 0.309 | 0.463 | 0.617 | 0.926 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.309 | 0.617 | 0.926 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.7 |
| 150 sq ft | 0.463 | 0.926 | 1.39 | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.7 | 5.56 |
| 200 sq ft | 0.617 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.7 | 4.94 | 7.41 |
| 300 sq ft | 0.926 | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.7 | 5.56 | 7.41 | 11.11 |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
| 750 sq ft | 2.31 | 4.63 | 6.94 | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 | 27.78 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 | 24.69 | 37.04 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 4.63 | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 | 27.78 | 37.04 | 55.56 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 12.35 | 18.52 | 24.69 | 37.04 | 49.38 | 74.07 |
Find your area on the left and your depth across the top to read the cubic yards. Every value comes from square feet times depth in inches divided by 324.
Bags per Cubic Yard by Bag Volume
How many bags make one cubic yard, based on each bag's volume in cubic feet, from 27 divided by bag volume.
| Bag volume | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.25 cu ft | 108 |
| 0.5 cu ft | 54 |
| 0.75 cu ft | 36 |
| 1 cu ft | 27 |
| 1.5 cu ft | 18 |
| 2 cu ft | 13.5 |
| 2.5 cu ft | 10.8 |
| 3 cu ft | 9 |
This table uses bag volume, not bag weight. Product density and weight vary, so use the volume yield printed by the manufacturer. Round partial bags up to whole bags when you buy.
Cubic Yard Unit Conversions
Each cubic-yard amount shown in cubic feet, cubic inches, and cubic meters.
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Cubic inches | Cubic meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 6.75 | 11,664 | 0.191 |
| 0.5 | 13.5 | 23,328 | 0.382 |
| 0.75 | 20.25 | 34,992 | 0.573 |
| 1 | 27 | 46,656 | 0.765 |
| 1.5 | 40.5 | 69,984 | 1.15 |
| 2 | 54 | 93,312 | 1.53 |
| 3 | 81 | 139,968 | 2.29 |
| 5 | 135 | 233,280 | 3.82 |
| 10 | 270 | 466,560 | 7.65 |
| 20 | 540 | 933,120 | 15.29 |
Cubic yards for common materials
The volume formula is the same for every material. What changes is weight, coverage, and how the material is sold.
Concrete
Ready-mix concrete is ordered by the cubic yard for slabs, footings, and steps. Measure length, width, and thickness, then add a small allowance for uneven subgrade. Forms, rebar placement, and uneven depth can change the amount poured.
Gravel and crushed stone
Driveways, bases, and paths are usually priced by the cubic yard or by the ton. Measure the area and the compacted depth you want to end up with. Compaction reduces loose volume, so the delivered amount may differ from the finished depth.
Mulch
Mulch is sold both in bulk cubic yards and in bags by volume. Measure each bed and the depth you plan to spread. Mulch settles over time, and bag volume is set by the manufacturer.
Topsoil and garden soil
Soil for lawns, beds, and grading is delivered by the cubic yard. Measure the area and the depth of soil you want to add. Moisture and organic content affect weight, and loose soil settles.
Fill dirt
Fill is used to raise grade or backfill, and is ordered by volume. Estimate the space to fill as one or more simple shapes. Fill is usually compacted in layers, which reduces the loose volume.
Sand
Sand for bases, bedding, and mixes is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Measure the area and the bedding depth. Sand weight changes with moisture, which matters when converting to tons.
Compost
Compost is added to beds and lawns and is sold in bulk and in bags. Measure each bed and the depth you plan to topdress or till in. Compost settles and varies in density by product.
Asphalt
Hot mix asphalt is usually ordered by the ton, but volume helps you plan the job. Measure the area and the compacted thickness. Converting volume to tons needs a verified mix density from the supplier.
Excavation and backfill
Removing or replacing material is planned by cubic yards. Estimate the dig or fill space as rectangles, triangles, or other simple shapes. Loose excavated material takes up more space than it did in the ground.
Multiple sections and irregular areas
Real projects are often not a single clean rectangle. The reliable way to estimate an irregular area is to divide it into simple shapes, measure each one, and add the volumes together.
An L-shaped patio splits into two rectangles. A bed with a pointed end splits into a rectangle and a triangle. A curved corner can be approximated with a circle section or several small rectangles.
Use Add another area to enter each part as its own section. Each section keeps its own shape, units, and depth, and the calculator shows a subtotal for each section plus the combined total.
More sections usually give a closer estimate of a complex area. This is a planning method, not a survey, so treat the total as an estimate and confirm it before ordering.
Waste, settling, and compaction
These are different reasons you might order more than the exact base volume. They are not interchangeable, and the right allowance depends on your material and project.
- Measurement allowance
- Covers small uncertainty in your measurements and uneven boundaries along the edges of the area.
- Spillage and handling
- Material can be lost while it is loaded, moved, and placed, especially loose aggregates.
- Compaction
- Some materials take up less space after they are compacted, so you may need more loose volume to reach a finished depth.
- Settling
- Loose materials such as mulch and soil can settle after installation.
- Cutting and shaping
- Projects that involve trimming or forming can need extra material to allow for offcuts.
Enter your own waste percentage in the calculator, and confirm material-specific requirements with your supplier, contractor, project specification, manufacturer documentation, or local code where it applies.
Estimating material cost
- Cost estimates use only the price you enter, not any market average.
- Price can be quoted per cubic yard, per cubic foot, or per cubic meter, so match the price unit to your quote.
- Delivery charges are often separate from the material price.
- Minimum-load charges may apply to small orders.
- Taxes and labor are not included unless you add them as a fixed fee.
- Local prices vary, so treat the total as a planning estimate.
Common cubic yard mistakes
- Entering inches as feet
- Check the unit selector on each field before you read the result.
- Forgetting depth
- Volume always needs a depth. Area on its own cannot give cubic yards.
- Using square feet as though it were volume
- Square feet measure area. Multiply by depth to get a volume.
- Mixing US and metric units
- The calculator normalizes units for you, so set each field to the unit you actually measured in.
- Confusing radius with diameter
- Use the diameter or radius switch so the circle field matches your measurement.
- Using triangle height as material depth
- Triangle height is part of the area. Material depth is a separate field.
- Forgetting identical quantities
- Use the quantity field when you have several identical areas, such as post pads.
- Ignoring separate project sections
- Add a section for each different shape instead of forcing one rectangle to fit.
- Rounding every measurement too early
- Keep full precision while you calculate and round only at the ordering stage.
- Confusing cubic yards with tons
- Tons depend on material density. You need a verified density to convert volume to weight.
- Assuming all materials have the same density
- The same volume of two materials can weigh very different amounts.
- Treating compacted and loose volume as identical
- Compaction can reduce volume, so confirm how the material is sold and measured.
- Measuring only the largest width of an irregular area
- Split the area into simple shapes and measure each part.
- Adding waste before calculating the base result
- Find the base volume first, then apply a waste allowance to it.
- Assuming the supplier sells any decimal quantity
- Confirm the order increments, since many suppliers sell in set steps.
Ordering checklist
- Recheck all measurements against the project.
- Confirm the unit on every field.
- Confirm the project depth or thickness.
- Review each section if you used more than one.
- Review the base cubic yard result.
- Decide whether a waste allowance is appropriate for your material.
- Ask whether the material is sold loose, compacted, or by the bag.
- Confirm the available order increments.
- Confirm delivery fees and scheduling.
- Confirm any minimum-load requirements.
- Confirm the material density if you need to convert to tons.
- Keep a copy of the calculation for your records.
The calculator is a planning aid. Confirm the final amount before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate cubic yards?
- Find the area of the project, multiply it by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide cubic feet by 27. The calculator does this for any supported shape.
- How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?
- Exactly 27 cubic feet, because a cubic yard is 3 feet on each side.
- How many cubic inches are in one cubic yard?
- Exactly 46,656 cubic inches, which is 36 inches cubed.
- How many square feet does one cubic yard cover?
- It depends on depth. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches, and 81 square feet at 4 inches.
- How do I calculate cubic yards from square feet?
- Multiply the square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. You can also use the known area shape in the calculator.
- How do I convert depth in inches to feet?
- Divide the inches by 12. For example, 4 inches is 0.333 feet.
- Can I calculate a circular area?
- Yes. Choose the circle shape and enter the diameter or radius. The calculator uses pi for the area.
- How do I measure an irregular project?
- Split it into simple shapes such as rectangles, triangles, and circles, add a section for each, and the calculator combines them.
- Can I add multiple project areas?
- Yes. Use Add another area to include several sections, each with its own shape and depth, and see a combined total.
- Is a cubic yard the same as a square yard?
- No. A square yard measures area. A cubic yard measures volume and equals 27 cubic feet.
- Is a cubic yard the same as one yard?
- No. One yard is a length of 3 feet. A cubic yard is a 3 foot cube, which is a volume.
- Can cubic yards be converted directly to tons?
- Only with the material density. Tons depend on how heavy the material is for a given volume, so you need a verified density value.
- Can I use the same volume formula for concrete and mulch?
- Yes. The volume formula is the same. Only the weight and coverage change, because those depend on the material.
- How much extra material should I add?
- It depends on the material and the project, so the calculator lets you set your own waste percentage and confirm it with your supplier.
- Should I round cubic yards up?
- For ordering, rounding up is usually safer so you do not run short. Keep the exact value while planning.
- How many bags equal one cubic yard?
- Divide 27 by the bag volume in cubic feet. A 2 cubic foot bag gives 13.5 bags per cubic yard. Use the volume printed on the bag.
- Can I estimate material cost?
- Yes. Expand Estimate cost and enter a price per cubic yard, cubic foot, or cubic meter, plus any delivery or fixed fees.
- Does compaction change the required quantity?
- It can. Some materials take up less space after compaction, so confirm how the material is sold and how it settles.
- Can I use metric measurements?
- Yes. You can enter millimeters, centimeters, or meters, and the result still shows cubic yards along with cubic meters.
- Are YardCalc results exact?
- The geometry and unit conversions are exact. Real material amounts vary with site conditions, so the result is a planning estimate.
Geometry and unit conversions are deterministic formulas. Each shape area is calculated before depth is applied, and all measurements are normalized to a common unit before the volume is converted. One cubic yard equals exactly 27 cubic feet. Display rounding does not change the internal precision. Material-specific density, bag yield, and price data require separate verification, so YardCalc results are planning estimates that you should confirm with your supplier or a qualified professional. Read the full YardCalc calculation methodology.
Last reviewed 2026-06-12.