FROM MEASUREMENTS TO MATERIALS.
Cubic Yard Calculator
Turn a few measurements into the right material volume. Calculate cubic yards for soil, mulch, gravel, concrete fill, and more.
with the right numbers.
Your measurements
Enter your measurements to get started.
Example measurements are filled in. Adjust them for your project.
SOURCED REFERENCE FACTS
What are the key cubic-yard conversions?
A cubic yard measures volume, not area. The exact conversions used here are documented by NIST Handbook 44 (2026): 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet and 0.764554857984 cubic meters. When area is measured in square feet and depth in inches, divide area × depth by 324 to obtain cubic yards. The factor 324 comes from 27 cubic feet per cubic yard × 12 inches per foot.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 ft³ | NIST Handbook 44 (2026) |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.764554857984 m³ | NIST Handbook 44 (2026) |
| Square feet × depth in inches | Divide by 324 for yd³ | Volume methodology |
| 1 yd³ at 1 inch deep | Covers 324 ft² | Exact geometric conversion |
| 300 ft² at 4 inches deep | 3.7037 yd³ | Worked example |
Direct answer: These figures use exact unit definitions and unrounded intermediate calculations. Displayed examples are rounded for readability; gravel density remains a material assumption that should be confirmed with a supplier.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you calculate
cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27. If your area is already in square feet and depth is in inches, use:
Cubic yards = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 324
01 / A LITTLE DEPTH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.
From area to volume in three steps.
Measure the footprint
Enter length and width, or choose “Known area” if you already have square footage. For irregular spaces, first combine them into sections with the square footage calculator.
Add the depth
Depth turns a flat area into a volume. You can enter feet for length and width and inches for depth; the calculator converts them before multiplying.
Get your material volume
Read your result in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters. Add an optional allowance or price per cubic yard for an initial material budget.
A practical example
You have a 20 × 15 ft area and want a 4-inch-deep layer. The measured area is 300 square feet.
300 × 4 ÷ 324 = 3.7037 yd³
The displayed result is 3.70 cubic yards, or 100 cubic feet. At an illustrative $40 per cubic yard, the material cost is $148.15 before extra material, delivery, tax, and labor.
What is a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is the volume of a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. That is 27 cubic feet, or exactly 0.764554857984 cubic meters.
A square yard measures a flat area; a cubic yard measures volume. A yard of gravel commonly means a cubic yard in a supplier’s description, but confirm the quoted unit.
The volume calculation is material-independent. Converting that volume into weight requires a material density, as in the gravel calculator.
How much area does one cubic yard cover?
Coverage depends on depth. For a uniform layer, divide 324 by the depth in inches to get the covered area in square feet.
| Layer depth | Area covered | Yards for 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 ft² | 0.31 yd³ |
| 2 inches | 162 ft² | 0.62 yd³ |
| 3 inches | 108 ft² | 0.93 yd³ |
| 4 inches | 81 ft² | 1.23 yd³ |
| 6 inches | 54 ft² | 1.85 yd³ |
| 12 inches | 27 ft² | 3.70 yd³ |
These are mathematical volume conversions, not recommended installation depths. Choose depth according to the material, project requirements, and professional advice where needed.
CLEAR UP THE UNITS
Cubic yard questions, answered.
Can I convert square feet directly to cubic yards?
Only if you also know the depth. Square feet measure area and cubic yards measure volume. For 200 ft² at 3 inches deep, use 200 × 3 ÷ 324 = approximately 1.85 yd³. The same area at 6 inches deep requires twice the volume.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide cubic feet by 27. For example, 54 cubic feet equals 2 cubic yards. To convert back, multiply cubic yards by 27.
Can I use this for concrete?
Yes, for the geometric volume of a uniform slab or section. It does not calculate reinforcement, loads, mix design, or structural safety. Confirm the order quantity, any extra allowance, and specifications with your concrete supplier or qualified professional.
Does the result include compaction or waste?
The default result is the geometric volume, with no extra added. You can enter an extra percentage, but that is a purchasing allowance rather than a material-specific compaction calculation. Ask your supplier how loose delivery volume relates to installed, compacted volume.
How many bags are in a cubic yard?
Divide 27 by the bag’s labeled volume in cubic feet. For 2 ft³ bags, 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5 bags. Round up to 14 whole bags to supply at least 1 yd³. Weight-labeled bags need a density conversion instead.
Method: our volume formulas and unit definitions. Unit basis: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C. Tables use exact conversions and rounded presentation. Updated August 31, 2026.