Cubic yard calculator
Bulk dirt, gravel, mulch, and concrete are sold by the cubic yard. Enter length, width, and depth in any units to get cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.
Last updated: · Free tool by InsightSpatial
Private by design. This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you enter stays on your device. It is not uploaded to us or stored.
How it is calculated
Volume = area × depth × how many, plus the extra percentage. In US units: cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, because a foot is 12 inches and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
Example: 10 ft × 10 ft × 6 in = 100 sq ft × 0.50 ft = 50.0 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards.
Cubic yard coverage
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet |
| At 2 in deep, 1 cu yd covers | 162 sq ft |
| At 3 in deep, 1 cu yd covers | 108 sq ft |
| At 4 in deep, 1 cu yd covers | 81 sq ft |
| At 6 in deep, 1 cu yd covers | 54 sq ft |
Coverage is the area one cubic yard fills at a given depth.
Tips
- A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, not 3. Dividing cubic feet by 3 is the most common mistake.
- Depth is usually in inches. Divide by 12 to get feet before multiplying, or let the calculator do it.
- For material-specific weights and bags, use the concrete, gravel, mulch, or topsoil calculator.
Questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. With depth in inches: length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3).
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
It depends on depth: 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches, 81 at 4 inches, and 54 at 6 inches.