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Cubic Yard Calculator

Turn any length × width × depth into cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres — the units bulk materials are actually sold in.

Formulas reviewed 13 November 2026 · See the formula

Cubic Yard Calculator

Dimensions
ft
ft
in
Allowances
%

Extra material for spillage, cuts, uneven ground and breakage.

Cost estimate (optional)
USD /yd³

Enter your local price to estimate cost. Prices vary by supplier and region.

Results

Volume
1.85 yd³
50 ft³ · 1.42 m³
Surface area
100 ft²9.29 m²

Estimates only. Prices are your own inputs in USD; material properties vary by product and supplier.

About the cubic yard calculator

Landscape yards, ready-mix plants and haulers in the US sell by the cubic yard, while most of the rest of the world uses the cubic metre. Mixing feet for the area with inches for the depth is where most mistakes happen. This calculator takes care of every conversion and works for any bulk material.

How to use it

  1. Pick a rectangle or a circle.
  2. Enter length and width (or diameter) in feet or metres, and the depth in inches or centimetres.
  3. Set a quantity if you have several identical areas, and an extra allowance if needed.
  4. Optionally add a price per cubic yard or per cubic metre.

Formula

Rectangle

V = length × width × depth

Circle

V = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth

Cubic feet to cubic yards

yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27

Cubic yards to cubic metres

m³ = yd³ × 0.764555
  • A cubic yard is a cube 3 ft on each side: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 ft³. Since 1 yd = 0.9144 m exactly, 1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³.

Worked example: A 10 ft × 10 ft area, 6 in deep

  1. Volume = 10 × 10 × 0.5 = 50 ft³
  2. 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³
  3. 1.85 × 0.764555 = 1.42 m³

Result: 1.85 cubic yards (50 ft³ or 1.42 m³).

Assumptions and limitations

  • Volume is geometric (bank volume). Loose materials may need an extra allowance for compaction or settling — use the material-specific calculators for that.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

27 cubic feet, because a cubic yard measures 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft.

How do I calculate cubic yards from square feet?

Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27. For example, 300 ft² at 3 in deep is 300 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 2.78 yd³.

How much does a cubic yard weigh?

It depends entirely on the material: mulch may be a few hundred pounds, topsoil around a ton, gravel around 1.4 tons, and concrete about 2 tons. Use the material calculators for weight.

Is a cubic yard the same as a cubic metre?

No. A cubic metre is about 1.31 cubic yards, so a cubic yard is roughly three-quarters of a cubic metre.

Sources and further reading

Results are estimates for planning purposes. See our disclaimer for details.