Use this cubic yard calculator to find the volume of a rectangular project, cylinder or triangular prism, or convert a known volume. Enter feet, inches, yards, centimetres or metres independently for each dimension, then review measured cubic yards, material allowance, bags and delivery-load estimates.
Calculate Cubic Yards from Dimensions
Select a shape, enter its measurements and adjust the ordering assumptions for your project.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is the volume of a cube measuring 1 yard long, 1 yard wide and 1 yard high. Since one yard equals 3 feet, one cubic yard contains 3 × 3 × 3, or exactly 27 cubic feet.
1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 46,656 in³
1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³
Cubic yards are commonly used for concrete, soil, gravel, mulch, sand, excavation and other bulk materials.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
For a rectangular space, convert each measurement to yards and multiply length by width by depth. Alternatively, calculate cubic feet and divide by 27.
Cubic yards = length (yd) × width (yd) × depth (yd)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
- Measure the coverage length and width.
- Measure the required finished depth or height.
- Convert dimensions to compatible units.
- Multiply to calculate volume.
- Convert the volume to cubic yards.
- Add a project-specific allowance only when appropriate.
Cubic Yards from Square Feet and Depth
If surface area is already known in square feet, multiply it by depth in feet and divide by 27. When depth is in inches, divide by 12 to convert it to feet first.
Cubic yards = square feet × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Cubic yards = square feet × depth (in) ÷ 324
The second formula works because 12 inches per foot multiplied by 27 cubic feet per cubic yard equals 324.
Cubic Yard Formulas by Shape
For a cylinder, radius is half the diameter. For a triangular prism, the triangle height must be perpendicular to its base.
Cubic Yard Conversion Table
| 1 cubic yard equals | Displayed value | Conversion from cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic inches | 46,656 in³ | yd³ × 46,656 |
| Cubic feet | 27 ft³ | yd³ × 27 |
| Cubic metres | 0.764554857984 m³ | yd³ × 0.764554857984 |
| Litres | 764.554857984 L | yd³ × 764.554857984 |
| U.S. liquid gallons | 201.974026 gal | yd³ × 46,656 ÷ 231 |
U.S. liquid gallons and Imperial gallons are different. The calculator uses U.S. liquid gallons.
Cubic Yard Calculation Example
20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 in deep
The measured volume and allowance-adjusted order estimate should remain separate so the underlying geometry is clear.
How Much Material Should You Order?
Geometric volume is the starting point. A supplier or installer may recommend an allowance for compaction, uneven subgrade, settling, spillage, shrinkage or grading variation. The appropriate amount depends on the material and job.
Avoid automatic over-ordering: Do not assume one waste percentage fits concrete, mulch, topsoil, gravel and excavation. Use the allowance specified for the actual product and installation method.
The calculator rounds bag count and delivery-load count up to whole units, but suppliers may sell partial yards, fixed truck quantities or weight-based loads.
Cubic Yards Are Volume, Not Weight
A cubic yard of dry mulch does not weigh the same as a cubic yard of wet soil, gravel or concrete. Converting volume to pounds, tons or kilograms requires a reliable bulk density for the exact material and condition.
Weight = volume × bulk density
Moisture, particle size, void space, compaction and composition can materially change density. Confirm weight with the supplier before selecting a vehicle or evaluating structural load.
How to Measure Irregular Projects
- Divide the site into rectangles, circles, triangles or other simple sections.
- Calculate each section's volume separately and add the results.
- Use average depth only when it reasonably represents changing grade.
- Subtract known voids only when they will not receive material.
- Keep excavation swell and compacted fill quantities separate.
- Measure actual site conditions before ordering or pouring.
A complex excavation, sloped site or structural pour may require survey, engineering or supplier assistance.
Related Calculators and Measurement Sources
Convert smaller volumes with the cubic feet calculator, estimate bulk aggregate with the gravel calculator, or find surface area using the square feet calculator. Browse the Global Calculators directory or explore more free calculators and money tools from 1Dollars.
Volume definitions and conversion factors were reviewed against the NIST SI Units – Volume guide and NIST SP 811 conversion factors.
Methodology reviewed: July 19, 2026
Cubic Yard Calculator FAQs
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length, width and depth after converting all three measurements to yards. If the result is in cubic feet, divide by 27.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard contains exactly 27 cubic feet.
How many cubic yards cover 100 square feet?
Coverage depends on depth. At 3 inches deep, 100 square feet requires about 0.926 cubic yard before any allowance.
How do I calculate cubic yards when depth is in inches?
Multiply square feet by depth in inches, then divide by 324. For example, 200 square feet at 4 inches deep equals about 2.469 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards are in a cubic metre?
One cubic metre is approximately 1.307951 cubic yards.
How many litres are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 764.554857984 litres.
Can cubic yards be converted directly to tons?
Not without material density. The weight of one cubic yard varies with material type, moisture, compaction and void space.
Should I add an allowance to calculated cubic yards?
Only when appropriate for the material and job. Supplier guidance may account for compaction, uneven grade, spillage or installation variation.
Does the calculator support mixed measurement units?
Yes. Each dimension has its own unit selector, so length and width can be in feet while depth is entered in inches or another supported unit.
Is a cubic yard the same as a square yard?
No. A square yard measures two-dimensional area. A cubic yard measures three-dimensional volume.
Calculation notice: This tool provides geometric and ordering estimates for general planning. It does not replace site measurement, product specifications, supplier guidance, engineering, vehicle-load limits or professional quantity takeoff.