Cubic Yard Calculator
Find the volume of soil, gravel, mulch or concrete you need. Add your areas and get one clear material estimate.
Your project
Volume is independent of material. Confirm gravel compaction and the order increment with your supplier.
Changing units converts your measurements. Calculations stay on this device.
Measured volume, before extra allowance
Includes 10% extra, rounded up to the next ¼ yard.
Cost uses the rounded order volume. Cubic feet and meters show the measured volume. Your supplier may use a different minimum order or rounding increment.
How to calculate cubic yards
For a rectangular area, multiply length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27. If depth is in inches, divide by 12 first.
Example: a 20 ft × 10 ft area, filled 4 inches deep, needs 2.469 yd³. Adding 10% gives 2.716 yd³; rounding up to a quarter yard gives an order of 2.75 yd³.
For a circular area
Use π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth to get volume, with all measurements in feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards.
Working in metric?
Length (m) × width (m) × depth (cm) ÷ 100 gives cubic meters. Divide by 0.764554857984 to get cubic yards.
What does one cubic yard cover?
Coverage depends on the depth you spread. These figures exclude allowance, settling and compaction.
| Depth | Coverage per yd³ |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft |
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = about 0.7646 cubic meters.
Common questions
Can I use this as a cubic yard calculator for dirt or soil?
Yes. Measure the area and the desired fill depth, then choose Topsoil / dirt. The calculator finds the volume of the space; soil settling, moisture and compaction can change the amount you need to order.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
You also need a depth. Multiply square feet by depth in inches and divide by 324. An area of 100 square feet at 3 inches deep is 0.926 cubic yards.
Are cubic yards the same as tons?
No. Cubic yards measure volume; tons measure weight. Converting between them requires the density of your specific material. Ask your supplier for its bulk density rather than using one fixed conversion for all materials.
How much extra should I order?
The default 10% is an editable planning allowance, not a universal recommendation. Uneven ground, material loss and compaction vary by project. Confirm the allowance and ordering increment with your supplier.
Can I combine several areas?
Yes. Add separate rectangular or circular areas with their own depths. The calculator sums their measured volumes before applying your allowance. Divide irregular shapes into smaller areas without counting overlaps twice.
Can I use it for concrete?
Yes, for geometric volume. The result does not specify structural slab thickness, reinforcement, concrete mix or load capacity. It also does not infer bag counts: use the yield printed on the specific product.