Cubic Yard Calculator

Enter your length, width, and depth measurements to calculate the volume in cubic yards for any landscaping or construction project. Choose your preferred units (inches, feet, yards, cm, or meters) for each dimension, then optionally add a material price to get a total cost estimate. Results include cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters so you can order exactly what you need.

Multiply the result by this number if you have multiple identical areas.

Leave blank or 0 to skip cost estimate.

Used to estimate material weight.

Results

Cubic Yards

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Cubic Feet

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Cubic Meters

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Estimated Weight

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Estimated Total Cost

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Volume Breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cubic yard?

A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 3 feet on each side (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). It contains 27 cubic feet or approximately 0.765 cubic meters. Cubic yards are commonly used in construction and landscaping to measure materials like concrete, gravel, mulch, and topsoil.

How do I calculate cubic yards from feet?

Multiply the length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For example, a 12 ft × 10 ft area at 3 inches deep = 12 × 10 × 0.25 = 30 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 1.11 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet are there in a cubic yard?

There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. This is because a yard is 3 feet, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, simply divide your cubic foot value by 27.

Should I add extra material for waste or settling?

Yes — it's generally recommended to add 10–15% extra to your calculated volume. Loose materials like mulch and topsoil can compress or settle after installation, and having a small surplus avoids a second trip or delivery.

What's the difference between square yards and cubic yards?

Square yards measure flat area (length × width) with no depth component, while cubic yards measure three-dimensional volume (length × width × depth). You need cubic yards when ordering bulk materials so the depth of coverage is accounted for.

Can I use this calculator for concrete yardage?

Absolutely. Enter the length, width, and depth (thickness) of your slab or footing, and the calculator will output the cubic yards of concrete needed. Most ready-mix concrete is ordered and priced by the cubic yard.

How much will a cubic yard of material weigh?

Weight varies by material: mulch weighs roughly 400–800 lbs per cubic yard, topsoil about 1,400–2,000 lbs, sand or gravel around 2,500–3,000 lbs, and concrete approximately 4,000 lbs. This calculator provides an estimated weight based on your selected material type.

How do I measure odd or irregular areas?

For irregular shapes, break the area into multiple rectangles, calculate each separately, and add the results together. For circular areas, use the formula π × radius² for the area and then multiply by depth. You can run this calculator multiple times and add the results.

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