Cubic Yard Calculator for concrete, gravel, soil and mulch
Enter length, width and depth and get the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres plus estimated weight, material cost and a waste allowance so you order the right amount the first time.
- Rectangle, circle, triangle and trapezoid areas mix feet, inches, yards, cm or metres.
- Pick a material for instant weight in tons and total cost.
- Adds a waste % and rounds up to the nearest quarter yard, the way suppliers sell.
How to calculate cubic yards (and why you divide by 27)
A cubic yard is a cube three feet on every side, so it holds 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. That single fact is the whole calculation: get your volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27.
If your measurements are in feet
Multiply the three dimensions to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. A patio 15 ft long, 12 ft wide and 0.5 ft (6 in) thick is 15 × 12 × 0.5 = 90 ft³ ÷ 27 = 3.33 cubic yards.
If the depth is in inches
The 324 shortcut folds both conversions into one step 12 (inches to feet) × 27 (feet to yards) = 324 so you can leave a shallow mulch or gravel depth in inches. It gives exactly the same answer as dividing by 27 after converting.
Work out any project in four steps
The method is identical for concrete, gravel, topsoil, sand or mulch only the depth and the material change.
Measure length & width
Measure the area you are filling in feet. For an odd shape, split it into rectangles and add them, or use the circle and triangle tabs.
Choose the depth
Decide how deep the material goes. Mulch is usually 2–3 inches, a gravel base 4 inches, a concrete slab 4–6 inches, fill dirt 6–12 inches.
Multiply, then ÷ 27
Length × width × depth gives cubic feet; dividing by 27 gives cubic yards. The calculator does this and shows cubic feet and metres too.
Add ~10% for waste
Loose material settles and spills, so order a little extra and round up to the nearest quarter yard most suppliers sell in those increments.
Cubic yards for rectangles, circles, triangles and trapezoids
The depth step never changes only the way you find the area. Switch tabs at the top of the calculator to match your project; here is what each one does.
| Shape | Area formula | Then | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangle / square | Length × Width | × depth ÷ 27 | Slabs, beds, driveways |
| Circle | π × (Diameter ÷ 2)² | × depth ÷ 27 | Patios, tree rings, tanks |
| Triangle | (Base × Height) ÷ 2 | × depth ÷ 27 | Corner beds, gore lots |
| Trapezoid | ((A + B) ÷ 2) × Height | × depth ÷ 27 | Tapered beds, embankments |
A note on cylinders and round holes
A “cylinder” or “column” volume a round footing or post hole is just the circle area times the depth (the height of the hole). Enter the hole’s diameter on the circle tab and its depth in the depth field, and the cubic yards are the concrete you need to fill it.
For a round bed or patio you fill only a shallow layer, so the depth is small; for a footing the depth is the full height. Same formula, very different numbers.
Depth conversions and square-feet shortcuts
Most depths are given in inches. Tap a common depth to drop it into the calculator, or use the coverage figures to see how far one cubic yard spreads.
| Depth | 1 yd³ covers | For 100 sq ft you need |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 0.93 yd³ |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft | 3.70 yd³ |
Converting square feet to cubic yards
If you already know your area in square feet, you only need the depth. Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27.
Example: a 200 sq ft area at 4 inches deep. Depth is 4 ÷ 12 = 0.33 ft, so 200 × 0.33 = 66.7 ft³ ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. On the calculator, enter your length and width (or a 200 × 1 rectangle) and set the depth to 4 inches.
What a cubic yard of each material weighs
Volume tells you how much to order; weight tells you whether your truck or trailer can carry it. These are typical figures moisture and mix change them, so treat them as estimates.
| Material | Weight per yd³ | ≈ Tons per yd³ | Common depth | Order extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | ~3,900 lb | ~1.95 | 4–6 in slab | 5% |
| Gravel / crushed stone | ~2,835 lb | ~1.4 | 4 in base | 10% |
| Topsoil | ~2,160 lb | ~1.08 | 4–6 in | 10% |
| Mulch (wood) | ~1,000 lb | ~0.5 | 2–3 in | 10% |
| Sand | ~2,700 lb | ~1.35 | 1–2 in bedding | 10% |
| Fill dirt | ~2,200 lb | ~1.1 | 6–12 in | 10% |
Pick any of these in the calculator’s material menu and it estimates total weight in tons and, if you add a price per cubic yard, the total cost both after the waste allowance.
Common cubic yard jobs
Each of these opens the calculator ready for that material adjust the numbers to your site.
Concrete slab
Driveways, footings and patios. Order to the nearest quarter yard; ready-mix has minimums.
Calculate concrete →Gravel base
Driveways, paths and paver bases. A 4-inch compacted layer is typical.
Calculate gravel →Topsoil & garden beds
Raised beds and lawns. 4–6 inches of screened soil for most planting.
Calculate topsoil →Mulch
Beds and tree rings. 2–3 inches suppresses weeds without smothering roots.
Calculate mulch →Other free calculators
No sign-up, no limits they run right in your browser.
Cubic yard questions, answered
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Why do you divide by 27?
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
How much does a cubic yard weigh?
How much extra should I order for waste?
Is there a cubic yard calculator app?
Order the right amount, the first time
Enter your dimensions, pick a material, and get cubic yards, weight and cost with a built-in waste allowance.
Estimates are for planning only. Material weights and densities vary with moisture, compaction and supplier; always confirm quantities and delivery minimums with your supplier before ordering. Calculations run entirely in your browser.