Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert the length, width and depth of any area into cubic yards, the unit most landscape and building suppliers sell by. This cubic yard calculator works for soil, mulch, gravel, sand and concrete, and can estimate the weight of the material so you know what a truck or trailer will need to carry.
Your results will appear here.
How to use the cubic yard calculator
- Choose the shape of the area: a rectangle, a circle, or an area you have already measured.
- Enter the length and width in feet. The calculator also accepts meters if you switch units.
- Enter the depth or thickness in inches, for example 4 in for a patio slab or 3 in for mulch.
- Choose a material if you want an approximate weight, and add an extra allowance if you want to round up for waste.
- Add the price per yard to see the material cost.
Cubic yard formula
Cubic feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard because a cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. If all three measurements are already in feet, multiply them together and divide by 27.
Worked examples
- A 12 ft by 10 ft area, 4 in deep: 12 × 10 × 4 ÷ 12 = 40 cu ft. 40 ÷ 27 = 1.48 cubic yards.
- A 10 ft by 10 ft concrete pad, 4 in thick: 10 × 10 × 4 ÷ 12 = 33.3 cu ft = 1.23 cubic yards, weighing about 2.5 tons.
- A 30 ft by 10 ft gravel path, 4 in deep: 100 cu ft = 3.70 cubic yards, about 5.2 tons.
Approximate weight per cubic yard
| Material | Approximate weight per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Mulch (shredded wood) | about 0.3 tons (600 lb), varies a lot with moisture |
| Topsoil | about 1.1 tons (2,200 lb) |
| Sand | about 1.35 tons (2,700 lb) |
| Gravel or crushed stone | about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) |
| Concrete | about 2 tons (4,000 lb) |
These are typical planning figures for dry or moderately moist material. Wet material, and stone with a lot of fines, can weigh noticeably more. Your supplier can give you the weight of the exact product you buy.
Common conversions
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = about 0.76 cubic meters
- 1 cubic meter = about 1.31 cubic yards
- 1 cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, 108 sq ft at 3 in and 81 sq ft at 4 in
Tips before you order
- Measure the depth in a few places and use the average. Small differences in depth make a big difference to the total volume.
- Many suppliers sell in half or quarter yards. Round up so you do not run short partway through the job.
- For concrete, add about 5% to 10% for uneven ground and spillage, and confirm the slab thickness your project needs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length by width in feet, multiply by depth in inches and divide by 12 to get cubic feet. Then divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, because a cubic yard is 3 ft long, 3 ft wide and 3 ft deep.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
It depends on the depth. A cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in, 162 sq ft at 2 in, 108 sq ft at 3 in and 81 sq ft at 4 in.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Roughly 1.4 tons, or about 2,800 lb, for typical gravel or crushed stone. The exact weight depends on the stone size and moisture.
How many yards of concrete do I need for a 10 x 10 slab?
A 10 x 10 ft slab that is 4 in thick needs about 1.23 cubic yards of concrete. Most people order about 1.5 yards to allow for waste.
Sources and methodology
The formulas on this page were written and checked by the HomeQuantly Team against the worked examples shown above. Results are estimates for planning; always confirm measurements on site before you buy materials.