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Cubic Yard Calculator

Calculate cubic yards (yd³) from length, width, and depth in feet, inches, or meters. Includes material pricing estimation.

Instant results
Real-time calculation
Accurate & reliable
Standard SI formulas
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Height (H)Width (W)Length (L)
Technical Dimension Schematic100% Vector
$
Cubic Yard Results
Decimals:
Total Volume in Cubic YardsLive Output
1.235yd³ (cu yd)
Equivalent Standard Volume Units
Cubic Feet (ft³)
33.333 ft3
Cubic Meters (m³)
0.944 m3

Mathematical Formula & Step-by-Step Derivation

SI Standard Math
General Formula:
Volume (yd³) = Length(yd) × Width(yd) × Depth(yd)
Live Calculation With Your Input Values:
11. Cubic Yards Formula
Formula: Volume (yd³) = Length(yd) × Width(yd) × Depth(yd)
Substituted: V = (10 ft) × (10 ft) × (4 in)
Step Result: V = 1.235 yd³ (33.333 ft³)

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.7646 m³

Cubic Yard Mathematical Formula
Direct Formula (Depth in Inches):

Volume (yd³) = (Length_ft × Width_ft × Depth_in) ÷ 324

From Cubic Feet:Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Worked Example: Mulching a Garden Bed & Concrete Patio Slab

Covering a backyard flowerbed measuring 20 feet Long × 10 feet Wide with 3 inches of mulch:

1. Surface Area = 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft

2. Cubic Feet = 200 sq ft × (3 ÷ 12 ft) = 50.00 cu ft

3. Cubic Yards = 50 ÷ 27 = 1.852 cubic yards (yd³)

4. In Cubic Meters (m³) = 1.852 × 0.76455 = 1.416 m³

5. Estimated Material Cost at $45/yard = 1.852 × $45 = $83.34

Common Use Cases

Industry Planning Guidelines:

  • Compaction Allowance: When ordering soil, gravel, or crushed stone, add a 10%–15% compaction buffer as material settles under weight.
  • Concrete Slabs: For poured concrete slabs and footings, always add a 10% waste buffer for uneven grade excavation and spillage.
  • Related Calculators: For smaller projects measured in cubic feet, use our Cubic Feet Calculator; for metric volume, see the Cubic Meter Calculator.

How to Calculate Cubic Yards for Landscaping & Construction

A cubic yard (yd³ / cu yd) is a standard imperial volume unit equal to 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). It is the dominant commercial measurement for ordering bulk topsoil, bark mulch, gravel, sand, and ready-mix concrete.

  1. Measure area length and width in feet.
  2. Measure depth/thickness in inches (e.g. 4 inches of mulch) and divide by 12 to convert to feet (4 in = 0.333 ft).
  3. Multiply Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) to get total cubic feet.
  4. Divide total cubic feet by 27 (or divide by 324 if depth is in inches): yd³ = (L_ft × W_ft × D_in) ÷ 324.
  5. Multiply cubic yards by the supplier's price per yard to calculate estimated material cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate cubic yards?
To calculate cubic yards, multiply Length (in feet) × Width (in feet) × Depth (in feet), then divide the result by 27. If depth is in inches, use the shortcut: (Length × Width × Depth in inches) ÷ 324.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³).
How much area does 1 cubic yard cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch depth, 162 square feet at 2 inches depth, 108 square feet at 3 inches depth, and 81 square feet at 4 inches depth.
How many bags of concrete make a cubic yard?
It takes approximately 60 bags of 60 lb concrete (or 45 bags of 80 lb concrete) to yield one cubic yard of mixed concrete.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel, soil, or concrete weigh?
A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs approximately 2,000–2,600 lbs (1 to 1.3 tons). Gravel weighs ~2,400–2,900 lbs (1.2 to 1.45 tons). Solid concrete weighs ~4,050 lbs (~2 tons).
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic meters?
Multiply cubic yards by 0.764555 to get cubic meters (m³). To convert cubic meters to cubic yards, multiply by 1.30795.
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