Cubic Yard Calculator
Enter the size of the space and its depth to get cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters, or convert a volume you already have.
How to use the cubic yard calculator
- In What do you want to do?, choose Find the volume of a space (length × width × depth). The other two choices are Convert ft³, yd³ and m³ and How much area do N cubic yards cover?
- In Shape of the area, pick Rectangle, Circle, Triangle, Ring or Area already known. Rectangle is the default.
- Type the Length (L) and Width (W) and pick a unit for each: ft, in, yd, m, cm or mm. Decimals such as 10.5 work.
- Type the Depth (d) and pick in, ft, cm, mm, m or yd. The starting values are 20 × 10 ft at 4 in.
- Read Volume (cubic yards, yd³), Volume (cubic meters, m³), Volume (cubic feet, ft³), Total area and Coverage.
- Optional: choose a Bag size to see Bags needed. Under More options, type a Truck capacity (optional) to see truckloads, and an Extra volume (%) for settling or spillage.
- Optional: in More areas, one per line (optional), add shapes at the same depth, such as 12x4, c 8 or t 6x4, and set the Unit for the list.
Use Copy result, Copy link (the link keeps all your inputs), Print / save as PDF or Reset. How it was calculated shows each step with your numbers. The preset Gravel base 20×10 ft, 4 in loads a worked example you can change.
How to calculate cubic yards
Volume is area multiplied by depth. A cubic yard is a cube with sides of one yard, so 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ exactly (3 × 3 × 3). To get cubic yards from feet, multiply length, width and depth in feet, then divide by 27. For example, 20 ft × 10 ft × (4/12) ft = 66.67 ft³, and 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.469 yd³. A circle has area π × (D/2)², a triangle ½ × base × height, and a ring π/4 × (outer² − inner²).
How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27, so 540 ft³ ÷ 27 = 20 yd³. This is the same sum a yard calculator or yd calculator does when it turns ft³ into yd³.
How many cubic yards is 20 x 10 x 4 inches?
Multiply the sides first: 20 × 10 × 4 = 800 in³. A cubic yard has 36 × 36 × 36 = 46,656 cubic inches, so 800 ÷ 46,656 = 0.01715 yd³. Keep the same unit all the way through, or convert to feet first.
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic meters?
One yard is exactly 0.9144 m, so 1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³ exactly. Multiply cubic yards by that number to get cubic meters: 20 yd³ = 15.29 m³. To go the other way, divide cubic meters by 0.764554857984. The convert mode also gives liters, US gallons and cubic inches.
How do I convert sqft to yards of material?
A sqft to yards calculator needs a depth, because square feet are only area. Multiply the area in ft² by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 first. For example, 200 ft² × (4/12) ft = 66.67 ft³, and 66.67 ÷ 27 = 2.469 yd³.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
Area is volume divided by depth. One cubic yard spread 1 in deep (1/12 ft) covers 324 ft², 4 in deep covers 81 ft², and 6 in deep covers 54 ft². Deeper material covers less ground. The third mode, How much area do N cubic yards cover?, does this for any volume you type.
How many bags and truckloads does a volume need?
Bags needed equals the volume divided by the bag volume, rounded up. A cubic yard holds 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5 bags of 2 ft³, so you would order 14. Use the volume printed on your own bag, because the tool only divides by the size you pick. Truckloads equal the volume divided by the truck capacity you type in, since no standard truck size is built in. For example, 25 yd³ with a 10 yd³ truck is 2.5 loads, or 3 loads rounded up.
How do I use it as a concrete or cement cubic yard calculator?
For a slab, footing or pour, the volume is length × width × thickness, with the thickness converted to the same unit as the rest. Enter the thickness as the depth, and the result in yd³ is the concrete volume, so this works as a concrete cy calculator or cement cubic yard calculator for plain volume. Add a percentage under Extra volume (%) to allow for spillage or uneven ground.
Can I convert tons to cubic yards here?
No. This page gives volume only, and a ton to cubic yard or ton to yard calculation needs the density of the material, since a yard of gravel weighs a different amount than a yard of sand. Use the cubic yards to tons calculator for weight.
Worked examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| 20 ft × 10 ft, 4 in deep | 2.469 yd³ (66.67 ft³, 1.888 m³) |
| Ø 3 m, 15 cm deep | 1.06 m³ (1.387 yd³) |
| Ø 12 ft − Ø 4 ft, 3 in deep | 0.9308 yd³ (25.13 ft³, 0.7117 m³) |
| 12 ft × 8 ft + 2 more, 3 in deep | 1.305 yd³ (35.25 ft³, 0.9981 m³) |
| 540 ft³ | 20 yd³ = 15.29 m³ = 540 ft³ |
| 3 yd³ spread 3 in deep | covers 324 ft² (30.1 m²) |
Calculated by the tool above with these values.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards is 20 x 10 x 4 inches?
It is 0.01715 yd³. The volume is 800 in³, and one cubic yard is 46,656 in³.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
How many bags of 2 cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard holds 13.5 bags of 2 ft³. Round up, so you would order 14 bags.
Can this calculator tell me the weight in tons?
No. It gives volume only, because weight depends on the material’s density. Use the cubic yards to tons calculator for that.
How many truckloads is this volume?
Divide the volume by your truck’s capacity in yd³ or m³. The tool shows the exact figure and the figure rounded up. Enter your own truck size, since no standard is built in.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
It depends on depth. One cubic yard covers 324 ft² at 1 in deep and 81 ft² at 4 in deep.
Is the calculator free, and is anything I type uploaded?
Yes, the calculator is free. It runs in your browser, nothing you type is uploaded, and you do not need to sign up.
Related tools
- Gravel calculator: use it to estimate gravel for a driveway base or path.
- Dirt calculator: use it to estimate fill dirt for a low spot or raised area.
- Cubic yards to tons calculator: use it to turn a volume into weight, using the material’s density.
- Concrete slab calculator: use it to size a slab from its length, width and thickness.
- Concrete bag calculator: use it to estimate how many bags of concrete mix you need.
- All calculators: use it to browse every calculator on this site.
Sources
- NIST, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units, Appendix B.8: the yard (0.9144 m) and foot (0.3048 m) are exact, so 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.764554857984 m³
- DoMyOwn, Nature Scapes Color Enhanced Mulch: an example of a retail bag sold by volume (2 cu. ft.)
- DoMyOwn, Pine Bark Mini Nuggets: an example of a retail bag sold by volume (3 cu. ft.)