hen working on projects like landscaping, gardening, construction, or home improvement, knowing the exact volume of material you need is crucial. Whether you are ordering mulch, soil, gravel, or concrete, calculating in cubic yards ensures you buy the right amount without overspending.
To simplify this, our Cubic Yards Calculator helps you quickly convert your project dimensions into cubic yards and cubic feet. By entering length, width, and depth, you’ll get instant results, saving you time and eliminating guesswork.
Cubic Yards Calculator
What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to:
- 27 cubic feet (3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet)
- 46,656 cubic inches
- Often used in landscaping, gardening, and construction for bulk materials
For example:
- 1 cubic yard of mulch covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep.
- 1 cubic yard of concrete typically pours into a slab that is 8 ft × 10 ft × 4 inches deep.
Knowing how to calculate cubic yards is essential when planning material purchases.
Why Use a Cubic Yards Calculator?
Manually calculating cubic yards can be confusing, especially when depth is measured in inches and other dimensions are in feet. Our calculator makes it simple:
✅ Saves time – No manual math required
✅ Prevents errors – Automatically converts inches to feet
✅ Budget-friendly – Helps avoid over-ordering materials
✅ Practical – Works for soil, mulch, gravel, concrete, sand, and more
How to Use the Cubic Yards Calculator
Using our tool is quick and easy:
- Enter Length (ft): Input the length of your project area in feet.
- Enter Width (ft): Type the width in feet.
- Enter Depth (in): Provide the depth in inches (the tool converts to feet automatically).
- Click Calculate: Instantly see results in cubic feet and cubic yards.
- View Results: The calculator displays both values clearly.
- Reset if Needed: Click the reset button to start a new calculation.
Formula Behind the Calculator
The calculator uses the standard volume conversion formula:
- Convert depth (inches → feet):
Depth (ft) = Depth (in) ÷ 12 - Calculate Cubic Feet:
Cubic Feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) - Convert to Cubic Yards:
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Example Calculations
Example 1 – Mulch for Garden Bed
- Length: 12 ft
- Width: 6 ft
- Depth: 3 in
Step 1: Convert depth → 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
Step 2: Multiply → 12 × 6 × 0.25 = 18 cubic feet
Step 3: Convert → 18 ÷ 27 = 0.67 cubic yards
➡️ You need about 0.7 cubic yards of mulch.
Example 2 – Concrete Slab
- Length: 20 ft
- Width: 10 ft
- Depth: 4 in
Step 1: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.33 ft
Step 2: 20 × 10 × 0.33 = 66 cubic feet
Step 3: 66 ÷ 27 = 2.44 cubic yards
➡️ You need about 2.5 cubic yards of concrete.
Example 3 – Gravel Driveway Section
- Length: 30 ft
- Width: 12 ft
- Depth: 6 in
Step 1: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
Step 2: 30 × 12 × 0.5 = 180 cubic feet
Step 3: 180 ÷ 27 = 6.67 cubic yards
➡️ You need about 7 cubic yards of gravel.
Practical Applications
Our Cubic Yards Calculator can be used for:
- 🌱 Landscaping: Mulch, topsoil, compost, sod base
- 🏗️ Construction: Concrete, sand, aggregate
- 🪨 Hardscaping: Gravel, crushed stone, decorative rock
- 🏡 Home Projects: Garden beds, raised planters, backyard leveling
Tips for Accurate Results
- Measure carefully – Always double-check dimensions.
- Account for settling – Materials like mulch compress over time, so order a little extra.
- Round up – It’s better to have leftover material than run short.
- Use consistent units – Enter feet for length/width and inches for depth.
20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to 27 cubic feet, commonly used for bulk materials.
2. How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
3. Why is depth entered in inches, not feet?
Because most projects measure thickness in inches (e.g., mulch 3 in deep, concrete 4 in thick).
4. Can I use this calculator for concrete?
Yes, it works perfectly for calculating cubic yards of concrete.
5. How much does 1 cubic yard of concrete cover?
One cubic yard of concrete covers about 80 sq. ft. at 4 inches thick.
6. How much mulch will 1 cubic yard cover?
1 cubic yard of mulch covers 100 sq. ft. at 3 inches deep.
7. How much does a cubic yard of soil weigh?
Typically between 2,000–2,700 pounds, depending on moisture content.
8. How much gravel is in 1 cubic yard?
One cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,800–3,000 pounds.
9. Can I calculate in meters instead of feet?
This calculator uses feet and inches, but you can convert meters to feet before input.
10. Why divide by 27 when converting cubic feet to cubic yards?
Because one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3).
11. How many cubic yards are in a 10×10 slab at 4 inches deep?
10 × 10 × 0.33 = 33 cubic feet → 1.22 cubic yards.
12. What materials are measured in cubic yards?
Mulch, soil, gravel, sand, compost, concrete, and stone.
13. How accurate is this calculator?
It’s exact based on your input, but always round up to avoid shortages.
14. Can I calculate volume for irregular shapes?
Yes, but break the area into smaller rectangles and add the results.
15. Does this calculator work for ponds or pools?
Yes, but only for rectangular shapes. For circles, use a circular volume calculator.
16. Is there a mobile version of this tool?
Yes, the calculator works on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
17. Do I need internet access to use it?
Yes, since it’s an online calculator.
18. Can I reset the calculator easily?
Yes, just click the "Reset" button to clear inputs.
19. Do contractors use cubic yards for estimates?
Yes, cubic yards are the standard unit in construction and landscaping.
20. Is this calculator free?
Yes, it’s completely free to use online.
Final Thoughts
The Cubic Yards Calculator is an essential tool for homeowners, landscapers, and contractors. By entering just three measurements—length, width, and depth—you can instantly determine the amount of mulch, soil, concrete, or gravel needed for your project.
No more guessing, over-ordering, or coming up short. Use our calculator today and take the hassle out of material planning!