Cubic Yards Calculator

Use this cubic yards calculator to find how much bulk material an area needs. It multiplies length by width, then by depth converted from inches to feet, to get cubic feet. Dividing by 27 gives cubic yards, because a cubic yard is 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft.

Last reviewed September 2026Method & sources Report an error

Not to scale.

Volume

1.235 cu yd

Breakdown
Volume	1.235 cu yd
Volume	33.3 cu ft

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

Area (length × width) times depth gives volume. Converting depth from inches to feet first keeps the units consistent. Dividing the resulting cubic feet by 27 gives the answer in cubic yards, since a cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet. Cubic yards is the unit most bulk materials like concrete, mulch, and gravel are sold and delivered in.

Example: 10 ft × 10 ft area, 4 in. deep

A 10 ft × 10 ft area, 4 in. deep: 1. Area: 10 × 10 = 100 sq ft 2. Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft 3. Volume: 100 × 0.333 = 33.3 cubic feet 4. Cubic yards: 33.33 ÷ 27 = 1.234 cu yd

What Is Cubic Yards?

A cubic yards calculator converts an area and depth into the volume of bulk material needed. It expresses that volume in cubic yards, the unit most landscaping and construction materials (concrete, mulch, soil, gravel, sand) are priced and delivered by. It's the general-purpose version of the volume math behind this site's individual material calculators.

Cubic Yards: Pros and Cons

Pros

Gives the answer in both cubic yards and cubic feet, since some suppliers and calculations use one or the other
Works for any depth in inches, common for how landscaping and construction materials are specified
A general-purpose calculation that applies to any bulk material, not tied to one specific product

Cons

Doesn't add a waste or compaction allowance. See a specific material calculator (like Gravel or Concrete Slab) for that adjustment where relevant
Assumes a simple rectangular area. An irregular shape needs its area estimated separately
Doesn't convert to weight (tons). See the Cubic Yards to Tons calculator for that conversion

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate cubic yards for an area?

Multiply length by width to get area, multiply by depth (converted to feet) to get volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27. A 10 ft × 10 ft area, 4 in. deep, comes out to about 1.23 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. A cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.

Why is bulk material sold in cubic yards?

Cubic yards is a practical unit for the volumes involved in landscaping and construction projects. It is large enough that measurements in cubic feet or cubic inches would be unwieldy. It also matches how ready-mix trucks and bulk delivery trucks are loaded and billed.

How much is a cubic yard, roughly?

It's about the volume of a cube 3 ft on each side, or a standard pickup truck bed heaped moderately full. It is a helpful mental picture when estimating whether you need a small delivery or a full truckload.

Does this calculator work for concrete, mulch, and gravel all the same way?

Yes. For the volume calculation itself, length × width × depth converted to cubic yards is the same math regardless of material. What differs between materials is density (used for converting to weight) and any waste allowance. This general calculator includes neither, so use the specific material calculator for those adjustments.

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