Cubic Yards Calculator
Calculate volume in cubic yards from length, width, and depth or area and depth, with unit conversions and clear equations.
Inputs
Equation Preview
Helping Notes
Convert all dimensions to yards first; multiply to get cubic yards. In feet, divide cubic feet by twenty-seven.
Area mode converts area to square yards and depth to yards, then multiplies to yield cubic yards.
Round up when ordering materials if suppliers don’t sell fractions of a yard.
Results
Cubic Yards
Cubic Feet
Cubic Meters
What Is Cubic Yards Calculator?
The Cubic Yards Calculator is a simple yet reliable tool for turning area and depth into usable volume for landscaping, concrete, soil, gravel, sand, mulch, and debris removal. Instead of juggling unit conversions, you enter the shape (rectangular or circular), dimensions, and depth; the calculator returns cubic yards plus helpful add-ons such as number of bags, tons (with density), and truckloads (with capacity). Because the output shows each step, you can audit assumptions, share estimates with clients, and revise quantities without rebuilding spreadsheets.
About the Cubic Yards Calculator
This calculator accepts mixed units and common job scenarios. Enter length and width in feet with depth in either feet or inches, or switch to a circular area using diameter. Advanced helpers include a waste/contingency factor, density selection (tons per cubic yard), bag size in cubic feet, and truck capacity in cubic yards. Results are structured to support purchasing and scheduling: cubic yards, cubic feet, adjusted volume after waste, estimated tons, bag count, and loads. Consistent formulas keep estimates repeatable across projects and teams.
How to Use this Cubic Yards Calculator
1) Choose shape: rectangle/square or circle. 2) Enter length and width (or diameter). 3) Enter depth: in feet or in inches. 4) Optional: set waste factor (e.g., 5–15%), pick a density for tons, select bag size (e.g., 2 cu ft), and set truck capacity (e.g., 10 yd³). 5) Submit to view cubic yards, plus optional conversions and logistics. 6) Adjust inputs to compare scenarios—for example, deeper mulch or wider path—and save the results you prefer.
Examples Using the Cubic Yards Calculator
Example A (mulch bed): 40 ft × 12 ft at 3 in → yd³ ≈ (40×12×3)/324 ≈ 4.44; add 10% waste → ≈ 4.88 yd³; bags (2 cu ft) ≈ (4.88×27)/2 ≈ 65.9 → buy 66–70.
Example B (concrete pad): 18 ft × 12 ft × 4 in → yd³ ≈ (18×12×4)/324 ≈ 2.67; with 5% contingency → ≈ 2.80 yd³; if truck holds 8 yd³ → 1 load.
Example C (circular area): Diameter 20 ft, depth 6 in → yd³ ≈ [π×20²/4]×(6/12)/27 ≈ 2.91; gravel density 1.4 tons/yd³ → ≈ 4.07 tons.
Core Formulas (rendered responsively)
Volume in cubic yards when length, width, and depth are in feet.
Mixed-unit shortcut since \(324 = 12 \times 27\).
Use diameter in feet for round beds, tanks, or pads.
Depth in inches with diameter in feet.
Compute area first, then multiply by depth.
Key conversion between cubic feet and cubic yards.
Switch between cubic meters and cubic yards.
Apply waste/contingency factor \(w\) (e.g., 0.10 for 10%).
Number of bags for bag size \(B_{\text{ft}^3}\) (e.g., 2 cu ft).
Weight estimate using material density \(\rho\) in tons per cubic yard.
Loads required for truck capacity \(C\) in cubic yards per load.
FAQs
What exactly is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a volume equal to a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cube, or 27 cubic feet.
How many 2-cu-ft bags equal one cubic yard?
About 13.5 bags. In practice, buy 14–15 to cover waste, settling, and measurement variation.
Can I enter depth in inches while length and width are in feet?
Yes. Use the mixed-unit formula; the calculator handles the 324 divisor automatically.
How much area does one cubic yard cover at 2 inches?
Roughly 162 sq ft because \(27\,\text{ft}^3 \div (2/12\,\text{ft}) \approx 162\).
What density should I use for gravel or soil?
Common gravel: 1.2–1.5 tons/yd³; moist topsoil: 1.0–1.3 tons/yd³; mulch is lighter ~0.4–0.8 tons/yd³.
How do I estimate a tapered depth?
Average the min and max depths, then compute: \(h_{\text{avg}} = (h_{\min}+h_{\max})/2\).
How many yards of concrete do I need for a 4-inch slab?
Use \(L \times W \times 4\text{ in} / 324\). Add 5–10% for spillage and edge irregularities.
How many 80-lb concrete bags make one cubic yard?
Each 80-lb bag yields ~0.6 cu ft. \(27/0.6 \approx 45\) bags per cubic yard.
Can the calculator handle circular flower beds?
Yes. Enter the diameter and depth; it uses the circular area formula automatically.
What waste factor should I pick?
Mulch/soil: 5–10%; gravel/concrete forms: 5–15%; irregular excavations or rough grading may require more.
How many truckloads will I need?
Divide adjusted volume by truck capacity (e.g., 8–12 yd³) and round up to the next whole load.
Why do my results differ from a supplier’s quote?
Suppliers may apply different densities, rounding, or minimums. Share the formula steps to reconcile assumptions quickly.