- Free cubic yard calculator
- Multiple shapes & areas
- Mixed measurement units
Cubic Yard Calculator
Use this cubic yard calculator to calculate cubic yards from length, width, depth, diameter, or other project dimensions. The calculator supports rectangular, circular, triangular, and trapezoid areas, mixed measurement units, multiple project sections, excluded areas, and an optional waste allowance.
For a rectangular area, multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate cubic yards for rectangular, circular, triangular, and trapezoid areas with mixed measurement units.
How to Use the Cubic Yard Calculator
This online cubic yard calculator is built for project dimensions, multiple areas, mixed units, and practical material planning.
Select the area shape
Choose rectangle or square, circle, triangle, or trapezoid. The calculator shows only the dimensions needed for that shape.
Enter dimensions and depth
Add length, width, diameter, height, or bases as required. Each field can use feet, inches, yards, meters, or centimeters.
Add more project areas
Use Add Area for additional sections, duplicate repeated areas, or use Subtract Area for spaces that should be excluded.
Review the final yardage
The calculator shows the net volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic meters, with an optional extra or waste allowance.
Cubic Yard Formula and Calculation
The basic cubic yard calculation starts with volume. For rectangular projects, the most common method is length × width × depth.
When length, width, and depth are all in feet, their product gives cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
- L = length in feet
- W = width in feet
- D = depth in feet
- 27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard
A common project setup uses length and width in feet but depth in inches. Convert the depth to feet first, then calculate cubic feet and divide by 27. The calculator handles this conversion automatically.
Cubic Yard Calculation Examples
These examples show how length, width, and depth translate into cubic yards.
10 ft × 10 ft × 3 in
Depth: 3 in = 0.25 ft
Volume: 10 × 10 × 0.25 = 25 ft³
20 ft × 12 ft × 4 in
Depth: 4 in ≈ 0.333 ft
Volume: ≈ 80 ft³
30 ft × 10 ft × 6 in
Depth: 6 in = 0.5 ft
Volume: 150 ft³
Cubic Feet, Square Feet, and Cubic Yards
Use these relationships when converting project measurements into cubic yard volume.
| Conversion | Formula / Value | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet → cubic yards | ft³ ÷ 27 | Convert measured volume into material yardage |
| Cubic yards → cubic feet | yd³ × 27 | Convert yardage back to cubic feet |
| Square feet → cubic yards | (sq ft × depth in ft) ÷ 27 | Requires a known depth |
| Cubic meters → cubic yards | m³ × 1.30795 | Metric-to-US volume conversion |
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet | Core yardage conversion |
Cubic Yard Estimator for Landscape and Construction Materials
A cubic yard estimator is useful whenever material is sold or planned by volume. The same dimension-based calculation can be used for gravel, soil, topsoil, dirt, sand, mulch, rock, stone, and concrete. Enter the project dimensions and depth to estimate how many cubic yards the space contains.
Landscape Material Calculator by Yardage
For landscaping projects, measure the surface area and the required material depth. A landscape material calculator converts those dimensions into cubic yards so you can compare the project volume with supplier quantities. If the site has several beds, sections, or repeated areas, calculate them together using the multiple-area controls.
Gravel cubic yard calculator
Gravel projects are commonly estimated from length, width, and depth. For driveways or irregular projects, divide the site into simpler sections and add the volumes. Use the separate Gravel Calculator when you also need material-specific weight or coverage guidance.
Soil, dirt, mulch, and sand
The same cubic yard formula works for topsoil, fill dirt, mulch, and sand because the calculator is measuring volume. The number of tons or pounds per cubic yard is material-dependent, so volume-to-weight conversions require an appropriate density.
Concrete cubic yard calculation
Concrete volume can also be estimated with length × width × depth for rectangular slabs and similar sections. This general calculator supports cubic-yard volume, while a dedicated concrete calculator can later provide project-specific features for slabs, footings, foundations, or other concrete applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about cubic yards, volume conversions, landscaping materials, and project dimensions.
How do you calculate cubic yards?
For a rectangular area, multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet, then divide the result by 27.
How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the number of cubic feet by 27. For example, 54 cubic feet equals 2 cubic yards.
Can I calculate cubic yards from square feet?
Yes, but square feet measure area, so you also need a depth. Multiply square feet by depth in feet, then divide the cubic-foot result by 27.
Can I use this for gravel, soil, dirt, mulch, sand, or concrete?
Yes. The calculator estimates volume from dimensions and can therefore be used for many bulk materials. Material weight is separate and depends on density.
Can I calculate more than one area?
Yes. Add multiple areas, duplicate repeated sections, or subtract excluded spaces. The calculator combines them into one final yardage estimate.
How do I convert cubic meters to cubic yards?
Multiply cubic meters by approximately 1.30795 to convert them to cubic yards.
Can this calculator convert cubic yards to tons?
Not by volume alone. Tons depend on the density of the specific material. Use a material-specific calculator or a known density for a reliable volume-to-weight estimate.
Useful Material and Volume Calculators
Use a dedicated calculator when your project needs material-specific estimates beyond general cubic-yard volume.