How to use this cubic yards calculator
- Unit, choose Feet or Metres for the length and width of your area.
- Length and Width, enter the two sides of your rectangular area in that unit.
- Depth, enter how deep the material will sit in inches (Feet) or centimetres (Metres), since depth is usually much smaller.
- Read your cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres, they update instantly as you type.
How to calculate cubic yards
Volume for any rectangular area is simply length × width × depth. The catch is that material is ordered by the cubic yard, so you need to convert. The rule to remember is that 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, because a cubic yard is a cube measuring three feet on every side and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. To find cubic yards, work out the volume in cubic feet first and then divide by 27.
The single most important step is to keep all your measurements in the same unit before you multiply. If length and width are in feet, convert your depth from inches to feet (divide by 12) so everything is in feet, then divide the cubic feet total by 27. This calculator does that conversion for you, so you can enter depth in the smaller, more natural unit.
A quick worked example
Say you are pouring a slab that is 10 feet long, 10 feet wide and 4 inches deep. Four inches is 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 feet, so the volume is 10 × 10 × 0.333 = 33.3 cubic feet. Divide by 27 and you get about 1.23 cubic yards of concrete. It is sensible to order a little extra, roughly 5 to 10 percent, to allow for spillage, uneven ground and settling.
Note: This tool measures rectangular volume only. For circular, triangular or sloped areas, break the shape into rectangles or adjust the figure by hand. Always confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length by width by depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27, because there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Keep every measurement in the same unit before you multiply.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
Exactly 27. A cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet on each side, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
How do I enter the depth?
Depth is usually much smaller than length and width, so it is entered in inches when you choose Feet, or in centimetres when you choose Metres. The calculator converts it for you.
Does this work for concrete, gravel, soil and mulch?
Yes. The volume of a rectangular area is the same whatever the material, so the figure works for concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch and sand. Add a little extra for waste and settling.