Cubic Yards Calculator
Convert any length, width and depth into cubic yards and cubic feet — enter your dimensions in feet or inches to size bulk material like concrete, gravel, mulch and soil.
United States — national average · 2026 prices
Material only unless stated as installed. Excludes tax, permits and local labour. Verify with local suppliers — see how we calculate.
How this calculator works
Every figure above comes from the formula below, applied to the assumptions listed. Nothing is looked up from a hidden table — you can reproduce the result by hand.
Formula
convert every dimension to feet (inches ÷ 12, yards × 3)
cubic feet = length × width × depth, all in feet
cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 · cubic metres = cubic feet × 0.0283168
Assumptions & limits
- There are exactly 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, because a yard is 3 feet and 3³ = 27. This is a definition, not an approximation.
- The shortcut area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 is the same calculation: 27 × 12 = 324.
- This is pure geometry for a rectangular prism. It assumes a flat, level base and uniform depth — an uneven excavation holds more than its nominal dimensions.
- Volume only. Converting to tons needs the material’s density, and there is no single conversion: gravel and sand run about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, topsoil about 1.1, asphalt about 2.0.
- No waste or compaction allowance is added, because that depends on the material. The material-specific calculators add it.
Worked example
An area 10 ft × 10 ft at 4 inches deep
- Depth in feet = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
- Cubic feet = 10 × 10 × 0.333 = 33.33 ft³
- Cubic yards = 33.33 ÷ 27 = 1.23 yd³
- Cross-check with the shortcut: 100 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 324 = 1.23 yd³
Result:1.23 cubic yards, or 33.3 cubic feet — about 0.94 cubic metres.
Built and maintained by Christoph Ballmer, Honeygoat GmbH
Method and constants last checked against the calculator code on August 17, 2026. Independent trade review is not yet in place for this calculator — see how we handle review.
Read the site-wide calculation methodology · estimate vs. quote and safety limits
How to calculate cubic yards
A cubic yard is a measure of volume — the amount of space a bulk material like concrete, gravel, mulch or soil fills. To find it, multiply length × width × depth with every dimension in feet, then divide by 27. The calculator above lets you enter each dimension in feet, inches or yards and converts for you, which matters when your depth is in inches.
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. A handy shortcut for landscaping, where depth is usually in inches, is square feet × inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards.
Cubic yard conversions
| 1 cubic yard equals | Value |
|---|---|
| Cubic feet | 27 ft³ |
| Cubic meters | 0.7646 m³ |
| Covers at 2″ deep | 162 sq ft |
| Covers at 4″ deep | 81 sq ft |
Sizing a specific material? Use the mulch, sand, soil or concrete calculators, which add bags, tons and cost on top of the volume.
From cubic yards to tons — material by material
| Material | Tons per yd³ | Sized by |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch | ≈ 0.3–0.4 | Mulch calculator |
| Topsoil | ≈ 1.1 | Soil calculator |
| Sand | ≈ 1.35 | Sand calculator |
| Gravel / crushed stone | ≈ 1.4 | Gravel calculator |
| Asphalt (hot-mix) | ≈ 2.0 | Asphalt calculator |
| Concrete | ≈ 2.0 | Concrete calculator |
There is no universal yards-to-tons conversion — the density is the material’s, which is why each material calculator carries its own factor.
How much fits in a truck?
A standard full-size pickup bed holds about 2 cubic yards of mulch heaped, but only about 1 cubic yard of soil or gravel before the payload limit — weight, not space, is the constraint for dense materials. Single-axle dump trucks deliver 5–10 yards; anything bigger comes on a tandem. That is why suppliers ask what the material is before quoting delivery.
Common mistakes
- The twelve-fold error. Depth entered in feet when it was measured in inches (or the reverse) is the most common conversion mistake — the calculator’s unit selectors exist for exactly this.
- Square yards are not cubic yards. Carpet is sold by the square yard (area); bulk material by the cubic yard (volume). The names invite the mix-up.
- No allowance on top. This converter gives geometric volume; every real material wants its waste or compaction allowance, which the material calculators add.
Densities are typical dry figures — moisture pushes real weights up. When a delivery is priced by the ton, ask the supplier for their per-yard weight.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. So to convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27; to go the other way, multiply by 27.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth with every dimension in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. If your depth is in inches — common for mulch, gravel or soil — divide the inches by 12 first, or use the shortcut: square feet × inches ÷ 324 = cubic yards. The calculator handles the unit conversion for you.
How many cubic yards are in a ton?
It depends on the material’s density. Gravel and sand run about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so a ton is roughly 0.7 cubic yards; topsoil is lighter at about 1.1 tons per yard. There is no single conversion — you need the material’s weight per cubic yard.
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is the volume of a cube that is one yard (3 feet) on each side — 27 cubic feet. Bulk landscape and building materials such as concrete, gravel, mulch, sand and topsoil are sold and delivered by the cubic yard.