Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate cubic yards from length, width and depth, or a circular area. Add a material allowance and price per cubic yard to estimate cost.
How to calculate cubic yards
A cubic yard is a volume measuring 3 feet on each side. It contains 27 cubic feet. Convert all measurements to compatible units before multiplying.
Cubic yards = cubic metres ÷ 0.764554857984
For a 20 ft × 10 ft rectangle at 3 inches deep, the volume is 20 × 10 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.85185 cubic yards. The same space is 50 cubic feet or about 1.41584 cubic metres.
For a circular area, use diameter ÷ 2 for the radius. Volume is π × radius² × depth, with all lengths expressed in the same unit. Changing the unit selector converts your dimensions.
Example: a circular bed
A bed 10 feet across has a radius of 5 feet. At 3 inches deep, its volume is π × 5² × (3 ÷ 12) = 19.635 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 0.7272 cubic yards before allowance. Enter the full 10-foot diameter in the circular shape fields; entering the radius there would make the area four times too small.
Measure an irregular area in sections
Split an L-shaped area into rectangles that do not overlap. Calculate each section using its own depth, then add the unrounded volumes before applying one allowance to the total. For a raised bed that already contains soil, use the soil calculator to subtract the existing layer.
Cubic yards or cubic feet?
Both measure volume: 27 cubic feet make one cubic yard. Use the cubic feet calculator for rectangular boxes with three dimensions in the same unit. For landscaping, this tool accepts length and width in feet with depth in inches.
How much area does one cubic yard cover?
Divide 324 by the depth in inches to get coverage in square feet, before any allowance. One cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, or 81 sq ft at 4 inches.
Calculate cost from square feet and depth
A 100 sq ft area at 4 inches deep needs 100 × 4 ÷ 324 = 1.2346 cubic yards. With 10% extra and an example price of $50 per cubic yard, the unrounded volume gives a material total of $67.90. Use the mulch calculator for whole bags or the gravel calculator for prices by weight.
| Volume | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.764554857984 cubic metres |
| 1 cubic yard | 764.554857984 litres |
Unit reference: NIST volume conversion factors.
Common questions
Can I convert square feet directly to cubic yards?
You also need a depth. Square feet measure area and cubic yards measure volume. Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324.
Does one cubic yard have a fixed weight?
No. Weight depends on the material’s bulk density. Use the gravel calculator if you know the density and need tonnes or US short tons.
Can I enter feet and inches together?
Enter length and width as decimal feet, and depth in inches. For example, 10 feet 6 inches is 10.5 feet. Alternatively, choose metric and use metres with depth in centimetres.
Questions about a result? See how our calculators are built or report a calculation issue.