How to use the cubic yard calculator
- Choose a shape (rectangle, circle, triangle or a ring for a border) and enter the dimensions in feet, inches, yards, metres or centimetres.
- Enter the depth you're measuring.
- Got more than one area? Press Add another area -- they're added together.
- Read the result in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters, tick a waste allowance if you like, and check the weight table for a rough material estimate.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard? The formula
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27.
- Measure length and width in feet, and depth in inches (divide by 12 to get feet) or feet directly.
- Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 27 for cubic yards, or by 35.31 for cubic metres.
Worked example: a 20 x 15 ft area at 6 in deep: 20 × 15 × 0.5 = 150 cu ft, ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards (4.248 m³). Add a 10% compaction allowance and that becomes 6.11 cubic yards.
Cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters: quick conversions
| Unit | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.255 cubic metres |
| 1 cubic foot | 0.037 cubic yards |
| 1 cubic metre | 35.31 cubic feet |
How much does a cubic yard of common materials weigh?
Weight = volume × density, and every bulk material packs to a different density. The table below the calculator shows the current result's weight in gravel, mulch, topsoil and sand, each at that material's typical (default) density -- the same figures used on this site's dedicated gravel, mulch, topsoil and sand calculators, which also let you pick a specific product subtype, add bags and cost, and are the better tool if you're buying one of those materials rather than just checking volume.
Typical, widely published values -- actual density depends on moisture and compaction. Ask your supplier for their exact figure, especially for a paid order.
Cubic yards for concrete
Pouring a slab, footing, column or steps? The concrete calculator handles those shapes directly and adds premix bag counts and a ready-mix truck estimate on top of the cubic yard figure.
Other calculators
- Buying gravel? Try the gravel calculator.
- Buying mulch? Try the mulch calculator.
- Buying topsoil or dirt? Try the topsoil calculator.
- Buying sand? Try the sand calculator.
- Pouring concrete? Try the concrete calculator.
- Just need the square footage, not the volume? Try the square footage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27 cubic feet make one cubic yard (a cube 3 ft on each side is 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cu ft). To convert, divide cubic feet by 27, or multiply cubic yards by 27.
How do I calculate cubic yards from feet?
Multiply length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (ft), then divide by 27. For a 20 x 15 ft area at 6 in deep: 20 x 15 x 0.5 = 150 cu ft, ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards. The calculator above does this for any shape -- rectangle, circle, triangle or a ring -- and any mix of feet, inches, yards, metres or centimetres.
How many cubic yards do I need for a patio or slab?
A 12 x 10 ft patio at 4 in deep needs 1.48 cubic yards (40 cu ft). Add multiple areas together with "Add another area" if your project has more than one section.
How many yards of dirt do I need?
Same formula as any other material: area (sq ft) x depth (ft) ÷ 27. A 20 x 15 ft bed at 6 in deep needs about 5.56 cubic yards of dirt/topsoil, weighing roughly 5.56 tons at topsoil's typical density (1 tons per cubic yard). For a full soil-buying tool with product types (topsoil, garden soil, compost), see the topsoil calculator.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel, dirt or sand weigh?
It depends on the material -- weight is volume x density, and every material packs differently. For the 5.56-cubic-yard example above: gravel (crushed stone) weighs about 7.78 tons at 1.4 tons/yd³, while topsoil weighs about 5.56 tons at 1 tons/yd³. The weight table below the calculator shows all four common materials at once; use the dedicated gravel, mulch, topsoil or sand calculator if you need bags, cost or a specific product subtype.
How many cubic yards are in a circular area?
Area = π × (diameter ÷ 2)², then multiply by depth and divide by 27. A 14 ft diameter circle at 3 in deep covers about 154 sq ft and needs roughly 1.43 cubic yards. Choose "Circle" as the shape and enter the diameter, not the radius.
How many cubic meters are in a cubic yard?
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 27 ÷ 35.31 ≈ 0.255 cubic metres. The calculator shows cubic metres alongside cubic yards and cubic feet for every result.
Should I add extra for waste or compaction?
Many suppliers recommend an extra 5-10% for compaction, uneven ground and spillage -- tick "Add a waste / compaction allowance" in the calculator. With a 10% allowance, the 20 x 15 ft / 6 in example above goes from 5.56 to 6.11 cubic yards.
How do I measure an irregular area in cubic yards?
Split it into simple shapes -- rectangles, circles, triangles or a ring for a border -- and use "Add another area" to add them together into one total volume.
Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
Your measurements are saved only in your own browser, so they are there next time you open this page on the same device. Nothing is sent to our servers.