Cubic Yards Calculator – Volume Tool

A Cubic Yards Calculator will tell you how many cubic yards (yd3) there are in a given space, material or object. Cubic yards are widely used in the United States for large amounts of material, such as building projects, landscaping and gardening.

When ordering material like mulch for your garden, calculating gravel for your driveway, concrete for your patio, or soil for your landscaping project knowing how many cubic yards will help you know how much to buy and ensure you don’t spend more than you need.

One cubic yard is equal to 3ft x 3ft x 3ft. This is equal to 27 cubic feet. To calculate the cubic yards of an area, simply multiply the length, width and height of the area in yards. If your measurements are in feet, multiply all three measurements and then divide by 27.

This Cubic Yards Calculator will help to make things easier. Simply enter your measurements in the calculator, choose your units and you’ll get an answer within seconds.

How to Use the Cubic Yards Calculator

To calculate cubic yards of your project follow these simple steps:

1. Enter the length

Measure the length of your area.

2. Enter the width

Measure the width of your area.

3. Enter the depth/height

Measure the depth of your material e.g soil, gravel and mulch. Or enter the height of your object.

4. Choose your units

Choose your units e.g feet, inches or yards.

5. Calculate your volume

Click calculate.

6. View your results

The calculator will show you the volume in cubic yards.

To get the most accurate results, measure your project area carefully and make sure to use the same units throughout. If your measurements are in feet make sure they are converted correctly in the calculator.

Cubic Yards Formula

The formula to calculate cubic yards will depend on what units you are using.

If your measurement are in yards:

Volume (yd3)= L x W x D

Variables:

L = Length (yards)

W = Width (yards)

D = Depth (yards)

If your measurements are in feet:

Volume (yd3)= (L x W x D)/27

Variables:

L = Length (feet)

W = Width (feet)

D = Depth (feet)

If your measurements are in inches:

Volume (yd3)= (L x W x D)/46,656

There are 46,656 cubic inches in one cubic yard.

Common conversions:

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet

1 cubic yard = 46,656 cubic inches

1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic metres

1 cubic yard = 764.55 litres

1 cubic foot = 0.03704 cubic yards

This can be helpful when comparing quantities of material.

Example Calculation

Let’s say you want to put mulch over your rectangular garden. You have measured:

Length = 20ft

Width = 15ft

Depth = 3 inches

Convert your depth from inches to feet:

3 / 12 = 0.25 feet

Put your values into the cubic yards formula:

V= (L x W x D)/27

V= (20 x 15 x 0.25)/27

V= 75/27

V = 2.78 cubic yards

Final Answer

You would need approximately 2.78 cubic yards of mulch to cover your area evenly. Assuming it is an even rectangular area.

Depending on the material you’re ordering you may want to round up your answer slightly.

Understanding your Results

The result given by the Cubic Yards Calculator shows you how many cubic yards there are in 3D space.

If you receive a result of 5 cubic yards, this does not mean that your area is 5 yards long or wide, but that there are 5 cubic yards in the area. It takes into consideration all three values.

This will help you understand how much material you would need for your project.

Some common examples are:

• Mulch - To work out how much mulch you would need for your garden beds.
• Topsoil - To calculate how much topsoil you would need to fill your garden or raised beds.
• Gravel - To work out how much gravel you would need for driveways, paths and drainage.
• Concrete - To calculate how much concrete you would need for slabs, footings and rectangular areas.
• Sand - To work out how much sand you would need for landscaping or levelling.
• Excavation - To work out how much soil or material you would need to remove.

Please note that your answer may not always be exactly what you need to order. As material can compress, not even, waste and delivery.

Factors to Consider

There are several factors to consider when calculating your cubic yards.

1. Accurate Measurements

If your measurements are incorrect your calculation will not be accurate. Be sure to measure your length, width and depth carefully. Especially when your area is large.

2. Units

If you aren’t converting your units correctly, your results will be incorrect. Be sure to convert your measurements into the same units.

3. Depth/Height

When landscaping or building, depth plays a big part in your cubic yards calculation. The deeper the material, the more you will need.

4. Not a Perfect Rectangle

Not all areas will be perfect rectangles. If you have curved garden beds, angled driveways or uneven areas, you may need to split your area into smaller areas.

5. Compression

Materials like soil, gravel and crushed stone could compress once placed. Therefore you may need more.

6. Waste

Some material may be lost due to transportation, spreading, cutting and installation. You may want to allow for some extra.

Benefits and Useful Applications

A Cubic Yards Calculator can be useful for homeowners, contractors, landscapers, builders and construction professionals.

Landscaping

Calculate how much mulch, topsoil, compost, sand or gravel you need for your lawn, garden beds etc.

Concrete

Calculate how much concrete you need for your rectangular slabs, patios, walkways and foundations. Concrete is often quoted in cubic yards.

Driveways/Paths

Calculate how much gravel or crushed stone you would need to lay or repair your driveway/parking area/path.

Excavation

Calculate how much soil/dirt/material you would need to dig up.

Home Improvements

Calculate how much material you need for your raised garden beds, drainage, retaining wall or outdoor improvements.

Costs

Once you know how much you need you can calculate how much it will cost. Multiply your cubic yards by the price per cubic yard from your supplier. Don’t forget to add delivery, tax and other fees.

Ordering

Don’t order too much or too little. Knowing how much you need will give you a good starting point.

Accuracy

A Cubic Yards Calculator will give you an estimate. The accuracy of your calculation will depend on how accurate your measurements are and whether you have chosen the right formula.

The general formula assumes you have a rectangular or box shaped area. It will not automatically take into account uneven ground, compression, compression or waste.

To get more accurate results:

• Measure your area carefully.
• Ensure you are using the right units.
• If you have measurements in inches, convert them to feet or yards.
• Split your area up into smaller rectangles.
• Use the correct depth.
• Allow for extra due to compression, compression and waste.
• Speak to your supplier/contractor for large construction projects.

For concrete projects you will get an estimate. Depending on the ground, formwork, reinforcement and conditions you may need to allow for extra when ordering. For complex excavation and construction projects you should have professionals measure.

FAQs

What is a cubic yards calculator?

A Cubic Yards Calculator is an online calculator which can calculate the cubic yards in an area/material. By entering the length, width and depth you can calculate how much you would need for your landscaping/building project.

How do I calculate cubic yards?

To calculate cubic yards manually, multiply length x width x depth and divide by 27. For example if your area measures 10ft x 10ft x 1ft you would need approximately 3.70 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards divide by 27.

How much mulch do I need in cubic yards?

This depends on how long and wide your garden is and how deep you want your mulch to be. Measure your area and convert your depth to feet. Multiply all three together and divide by 27.

How many cubic yards do I need for concrete?

Multiply length x width x thickness and divide by 27. For example if your slab is 20ft x 10ft x 0.5ft you would need approximately 3.70 cubic yards of concrete. Before allowing for any extra when ordering.

Can I calculate cubic yards in inches?

Yes. Multiply length x width x depth and divide by 46,656.

Is a cubic yards calculator accurate for uneven areas?

The general formula is best used for rectangular areas. If your area is uneven split your project into smaller areas you can measure. Calculate and add together for a more realistic total.