Cubic Yard Calculator
Use this cubic yard calculator to quickly estimate material volume for construction and landscaping projects. Enter the length, width, and depth to calculate how many cubic yards of gravel, sand, soil, or concrete you may need.
Cubic Yards = Volume ÷ 27
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 46,656 cubic inches · Always order 10% extra for waste and settling
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
Cubic yards measure volume — how much 3D space a material occupies. It's used when ordering bulk materials like concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch, fill dirt, and sand. One cubic yard is a cube 3 feet wide × 3 feet long × 3 feet deep = 27 cubic feet.
Steps:
- Measure the length and width of your area in feet.
- Measure or determine the required depth in inches.
- The calculator converts depth to feet, multiplies all three dimensions, then divides by 27.
- Always add 10% to your final order for waste and settling.
Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth inches) ÷ 324. This single formula combines all steps. For example: 10 ft × 8 ft × 4 in ÷ 324 = 0.99 cubic yards.
Cubic Yard Conversion Reference
| Unit | Equals | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cubic Yard | 27 cubic feet | 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft |
| 1 Cubic Yard | 46,656 cubic inches | 36 in × 36 in × 36 in |
| 1 Cubic Yard | 0.7646 cubic meters | SI conversion |
| 1 Cubic Foot | 0.037 cubic yards | 1 ÷ 27 |
| 1 Cubic Meter | 1.308 cubic yards | SI conversion |
How Much Does 1 Cubic Yard of Common Materials Weigh?
| Material | Weight per Cu Yd | Coverage at 3" Deep |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | ~4,000 lbs (2 tons) | 108 sq ft |
| Gravel / Crushed Stone | ~2,800 lbs (1.4 tons) | 108 sq ft |
| Sand | ~2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) | 108 sq ft |
| Topsoil | ~2,200 lbs (1.1 tons) | 108 sq ft |
| Mulch | ~800 lbs (0.4 tons) | 108 sq ft |
| Fill Dirt | ~2,000 lbs (1 ton) | 108 sq ft |
Most bulk material suppliers sell by the cubic yard. Some sell by the ton. Use the weight reference above to convert between units when comparing supplier quotes.