Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert the length, width and depth of any space into cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters.
Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browser · Last reviewed November 2026
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About the Cubic Yard Calculator
A cubic yard is the standard unit for ordering bulk materials such as soil, gravel, sand, mulch and concrete. It equals 27 cubic feet, a cube three feet on each side. This cubic yard calculator accepts feet, inches, yards or meters, so you can measure the way that is easiest and still get the quantity suppliers sell.
How to use it
- Enter the length, width and depth of the space.
- Choose the unit for length and width and for depth.
- Press Calculate cubic yards to see the volume and a 10% extra figure.
Cubic yard formula
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. A 20 × 10 ft area filled 4 inches deep is 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards.
Quick reference: cubic yards for a 100 sq ft area
| Depth | Cubic yards |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 0.62 |
| 3 inches | 0.93 |
| 4 inches | 1.23 |
| 6 inches | 1.85 |
| 12 inches | 3.70 |
Material weight per cubic yard (approximate)
| Material | Weight |
|---|---|
| Topsoil | 1.0 to 1.4 tons |
| Gravel | 1.3 to 1.6 tons |
| Sand | 1.2 to 1.5 tons |
| Mulch | 0.3 to 0.5 tons |
| Concrete | about 2 tons |
Practical tips for ordering by the cubic yard
Suppose you are spreading mulch over a 24 × 12 ft bed at 3 inches deep. The depth is 0.25 ft, so the volume is 72 cubic feet, or 2.67 cubic yards. With a 10% cushion, order about 2.9 yards, which most suppliers will round to 3.
Metric measurements work the same way. A 5 × 3 m patch filled 10 cm deep is 1.5 cubic meters, and one cubic meter equals 1.308 cubic yards, so that is about 1.96 cubic yards.
Where people go wrong
- Mixing units. Entering depth in inches as if it were feet inflates the answer twelvefold. Check the unit selectors before you read the result.
- Forgetting compaction. Gravel and soil settle once spread, so a thicker final layer needs more than the flat volume.
- Ignoring the truck. A load may not fit on a tight driveway; ask whether the supplier can dump in smaller piles.
- Ordering by weight and volume interchangeably. Always confirm whether the quote is per yard or per ton.
For soil specifically, see the topsoil calculator, which also converts to tons and bags.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the cubic feet by 27.
How many cubic yards in a dump truck?
A standard tandem dump truck carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards depending on the material.
How do I measure an irregular area?
Split it into rectangles, calculate each one and add the results.
Should I order extra?
Yes. Add about 5% to 10% for settling, spillage and uneven ground.
Is a yard of material the same as a ton?
No. A cubic yard is a volume and a ton is a weight. A yard of mulch may weigh well under half a ton while a yard of gravel can weigh 1.3 to 1.6 tons.
How do I handle a space that is round?
Use the area of a circle (3.14 x radius squared) for the footprint, then multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27. You can also approximate it with a square slightly smaller than the circle's diameter.
Last reviewed: November 2026.