For mixed materials when suppliers quote by the cubic yard
Cubic Yard Calculator
Cubic yards = length × width × depth, with all three measured in feet, divided by 27. Enter measurements in inches, feet, yards, centimeters or meters; the calculator converts them, adds optional waste, and can estimate weight and cost when you pick a material.
Cubic yards to order
1.23 yd³
- Exact volume, before waste
- yd³
- Cubic feet
- 33.33 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 0.944 m³
- Estimated weightTypical density; moisture changes it.
- US tons
- Estimated cost
Worked examples
Mulch for a garden bed
A 12 ft × 4 ft bed with a 3-inch layer of mulch and 5% extra.
0.47 yd³ · ≈ 12.60 ft³
Concrete for a patio slab
A 10 ft × 10 ft slab, 4 inches thick, with 10% extra for uneven ground.
1.36 yd³ · ≈ 36.67 ft³
Gravel for a driveway strip
A 40 ft × 10 ft strip with 4 inches of gravel and 10% extra.
5.43 yd³ · ≈ 146.67 ft³
Good for
- Comparing soil, mulch, gravel and concrete on one volume basis
- Converting mixed units (inches of depth, feet of length) without a spreadsheet
- Sanity-checking a supplier quote before you book delivery
- Circular beds and multiple identical areas in one pass
Common mistakes
- Leaving depth in inches while treating length and width as feet without converting
- Ordering by the ton when the quote was per yard (or the reverse) without converting
- Skipping waste on uneven ground, then running short mid-job
- Using one density for wet and dry material when the truck is weighed
How to calculate cubic yards
- Convert length, width and depth to the same unit, feet. Divide inches by 12, multiply yards by 3.
- Multiply them: cubic feet = length × width × depth. For a circle, replace length × width with π × (diameter ÷ 2)².
- Divide by 27. One cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet.
- Add waste: multiply the result by 1 + waste percentage. A 10% allowance means × 1.10.
- For weight, multiply cubic yards by the material’s tons per cubic yard.
Depth is usually given in inches while length and width are in feet. Divide the depth by 12 before multiplying, or just select “in” on the depth line above.
Approximate weight per cubic yard
Typical values used by this calculator. Real weight depends on moisture, grain size and supplier.
| Material | US tons per cubic yard (typical range) | Value used here |
|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| Fill dirt | 1.2 – 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Sand | 1.2 – 1.5 | 1.35 |
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.3 – 1.5 | 1.4 |
| River rock / landscape rock | 1.3 – 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Mulch | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Concrete | ≈ 2.0 | 2 |
Cubic yards covered by depth (per 100 sq ft)
| Depth | Cubic yards per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.31 |
| 2 in | 0.62 |
| 3 in | 0.93 |
| 4 in | 1.23 |
| 6 in | 1.85 |
| 12 in | 3.70 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
Is a “yard” of soil the same as a cubic yard?
Yes. Landscape suppliers say “yard” as shorthand for cubic yard, so “3 yards of mulch” means 3 cubic yards.
How do I get cubic yards from square feet?
Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. For 200 sq ft at 3 inches deep: 200 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards.
How much extra should I order?
Many suppliers suggest roughly 5–10% extra for mulch, soil and gravel, because material settles and ground is rarely perfectly level. Ask your supplier what they recommend for your job.
How do I calculate cubic yards for a round area?
Switch the shape to Circle and enter the diameter. The calculator uses π × (diameter ÷ 2)² for the area, multiplies by depth, and divides by 27.
Why is the weight only an estimate?
The same cubic yard of soil or gravel can weigh noticeably more when wet. The calculator uses a typical dry-to-damp value from the table above, so confirm with your supplier before booking a truck.
Sources and updates
Last reviewed . Densities reviewed against typical supplier ranges.
- NIST – Unit conversion factors – International yard and foot definitions (1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly).
- Material densities – Typical supplier ranges, rounded. Replace with named sources before launch.
Results are estimates for planning. Order quantities, delivery minimums and material weights vary by supplier, so confirm with them before purchasing.