Cubic Yards Calculator

Enter Calculation

Enter area or dimensions Known Area Square Rectangle Circle Triangle Rectangle Border Circle Border Annulus Trapezoid

Area (Known Area mode)

square inch square foot square yard square meter

Length / Outer Length / Length A

in ft yds mm cm m

Width / Outer Width / Length B

in ft yds mm cm m

Diameter / Outer Diameter (Circle, Circle Border, Annulus)

in ft yds mm cm m

Inner Diameter (Annulus)

in ft yds mm cm m

Border Width (Rectangle/Circle Border)

in ft yds mm cm m

Length C (Triangle)

in ft yds mm cm m

Height (Trapezoid)

in ft yds mm cm m

Depth

in ft yds mm cm m

Quantity

Cost (optional)

$ USD EUR GBP INR CNY JPY ZAR generic per ft3 per yd3 per m3

Formula

Show calculation steps (1)

1. Material cost

   

   Price per chosen volume unit multiplied by the matching computed volume.

Results

Cubic Yards Needed

1.48

yd³

Cubic Feet	40 ft³
Cubic Yards	1.4815 yd³
Cubic Meters	1.1327 m³

What is the Cubic Yards Calculator?

This tool estimates how much landscaping or construction material you need to fill an area to a chosen depth, and reports the result in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters. It works for mulch, topsoil, fill dirt, gravel, sand, crushed stone, cement and ready-mix concrete. It also gives an optional total project cost based on a price per cubic foot, yard or meter. The math is pure geometry and unit conversion, so it applies identically whether you enter US or metric measurements.

How to use it

First pick a shape: a known area, square, rectangle, circle, triangle, rectangle border, circle border, annulus or trapezoid. Enter the required dimensions, each with its own length unit (inches, feet, yards, mm, cm or meters). Then set the Depth (how thick the layer should be) and Quantity (the number of identical areas). To estimate cost, choose a currency, type a unit price, and select whether that price is per cubic foot, yard or meter.

The formula explained

Every linear input is converted to feet, the area is computed in square feet, and depth is converted to feet. The single-piece volume in cubic feet equals area times depth; multiply by quantity for the total. Cubic yards are obtained by dividing cubic feet by 27 (because 1 yard = 3 feet, so 1 cubic yard = 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cubic feet).

$$\text{yd}^3 = \dfrac{A_{\text{ft}^2} \times d_{\text{ft}} \times q}{27}$$

Cubic meters use the exact factor 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³.

Cubic yards come from multiplying area by depth, with 27 cubic feet making one cubic yard.

Worked example

For a 10 ft by 12 ft rectangle at 4 inches deep: area = 120 ft², depth = 0.3333 ft, so volume = 40 ft³. That is

$$\frac{40}{27} = 1.48 \text{ cubic yards}$$

or about 1.13 cubic meters. At $25 per cubic yard, the cost is

$$25 \times 1.48 = \$37.04$$

Estimating the gravel needed to cover a measured area at a chosen depth.

FAQ

Why divide by 27 and not 3? Cubic yards are a volume. Since a yard is 3 feet in each of three directions, one cubic yard contains \(3\times3\times3 = 27\) cubic feet.

Can I mix units? Yes. Each dimension has its own unit dropdown; everything is converted to feet internally before calculating.

Does the currency change the number? No. The currency symbol is cosmetic; only the price value and selected volume unit affect the cost.