Cubic Yard Calculator
A general-purpose volume calculator to find exact cubic yards and cubic feet for any landscaping or construction material.
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3D Volume Measurement
Enter your Length and Width (in feet) and your Thickness (in inches). The calculator handles the unit conversions to output a clean Cubic Yard figure for your bulk delivery.
How to Use the Cubic Yard Calculator
This is the master calculator for bulk materials. If you are ordering dump truck deliveries of sand, soil, rock, or concrete, the landscaping company will require your order to be in "Cubic Yards."
- Measure the area: Enter the length and width of the area in feet.
- Enter the depth: Input the depth (thickness) in inches. Our calculator automatically handles the math of converting your inches into feet.
Cubic Yard Formula
To calculate cubic yardage, you must convert all measurements into feet, multiply them together to get cubic feet, and then divide by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in a yard).
Step 1: Convert Depth to Feet
Depth (ft) = Depth (inches) ÷ 12
Step 2: Calculate Cubic Feet
Cubic Feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)
Step 3: Convert to Cubic Yards
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Volume Example Calculation
You need to fill a raised garden bed that is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 18 inches deep with soil.
- Convert Depth: 18 inches ÷ 12 = 1.5 feet.
- Cubic Feet: 8 ft × 4 ft × 1.5 ft = 48 cubic feet.
- Cubic Yards: 48 ÷ 27 = 1.77 cubic yards.
Conclusion: You need to order approximately 1.75 to 2.0 cubic yards of topsoil to fill the planter box.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a measure of volume representing a 3D space that is 1 yard long, 1 yard wide, and 1 yard deep (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet). Almost all bulk materials (dirt, gravel, mulch, concrete) are sold by the cubic yard.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Since 1 yard equals 3 feet, a cubic yard is 3 x 3 x 3 = 27.
How do I calculate cubic yards for a circle?
To find the cubic yardage of a circular area (like a round firepit base), measure the radius (half the width of the circle) in feet. The formula is: Area = 3.14 x Radius x Radius. Then multiply the Area by the Depth (in feet) and divide by 27.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs approximately 2,000 pounds (1 Ton). If the soil is wet, it can weigh over 3,000 pounds. Make sure your pickup truck or trailer can handle the payload before picking it up!