Soil, mulch, gravel, sand and ready-mix concrete are ordered by the cubic yard in the U.S. and by the cubic metre elsewhere. Getting the volume right avoids paying for a second delivery or a pile of leftovers. This calculator handles the shapes that come up on real jobs – rectangular beds and slabs, round holes and columns, hollow tubes, mounds and pits – and multiplies by the number of identical pieces.
How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator
- Shape
- Length (or cube side)
- Width
- Diameter (outer)
- Inner diameter
- Depth / height
- Quantity
- Price per cubic yard
- Every result field is editable: type into Total volume and Depth / height plus every other field update to match.
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Pick the shape, enter its dimensions in any unit and the quantity. The calculator converts everything to the same base unit, applies the volume formula for that shape and shows the result in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic metres and litres. Enter a price per cubic yard to see the cost.
Coverage of one cubic yard
| Depth | Area covered |
|---|---|
| 1 in (2.5 cm) | 324 ft² (30.1 m²) |
| 2 in (5 cm) | 162 ft² (15.1 m²) |
| 3 in (7.6 cm) | 108 ft² (10.0 m²) |
| 4 in (10 cm) | 81 ft² (7.5 m²) |
| 6 in (15 cm) | 54 ft² (5.0 m²) |
| 12 in (30 cm) | 27 ft² (2.5 m²) |
Tips for an accurate estimate
- Measure every dimension twice and write the unit next to each number – most estimating errors are unit mix-ups (inches entered as feet).
- Pick the unit in each field’s menu instead of converting by hand; the calculator converts everything to the same base before it multiplies.
- Round up only at the very end. Rounding each dimension first can add several percent to the final quantity.
- Suppliers sell in whole units – bags, boxes, sheets or quarter yards – so always round the final order up, not down.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing square and cubic units: square feet measure area, cubic yards measure volume, and you need a depth to go from one to the other.
- Using nominal lumber sizes where actual sizes matter (a 2×4 is really 1½ × 3½ in).
- Forgetting that 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, not 9 ft³ (9 is for square yards).
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Shape | Choose one: Rectangular box / slab, Cube, Cylinder, Hollow cylinder (tube) … |
| Length (or cube side) | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Width | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Diameter (outer) | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Inner diameter | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Depth / height | Units: in, cm, mm, ft, m |
| Quantity | A number |
| Price per cubic yard | Units: /yd³, /m³, /ft³ |
What each result means
- Total volume = [Volume of one piece]×[Quantity]
- Total volume in cubic feet = [Total volume]
- Cost = [Total volume]×[Price per cubic yard]
Formula
Box: V = L × W × HCylinder: V = π/4 × D² × HTube: V = π/4 × (D² − d²) × HCone: V = π/12 × D² × H; Pyramid: V = L × W × H ÷ 3Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27Worked example
Inputs — Shape: Rectangular box / slab; Length (or cube side): 10 ft; Width: 10 ft; Diameter (outer): 2 ft; Inner diameter: 1 ft; Depth / height: 4 in; Quantity: 1; Price per cubic yard: $45 /yd³.
Results — Volume of one piece = 1.235 yd³; Total volume = 1.235 yd³; Total volume in cubic feet = 33.33 ft³; Cost = $55.56.
Key terms
- Cubic yard
- The volume of a cube 1 yard (3 ft) on each side: 27 ft³ or 0.7646 m³.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27, because a cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft.
How much area does one cubic yard cover?
324 ft² at 1 in deep, 162 ft² at 2 in, 108 ft² at 3 in, 81 ft² at 4 in and 54 ft² at 6 in.
How do I convert a depth in inches?
Divide by 12 to get feet before multiplying, or simply choose inches in the unit menu here.
Should I order extra?
Yes – 5–10% for settling, uneven subgrade and spillage. Concrete suppliers usually round up to the next quarter or half yard.
What formula does the Cubic Yard Calculator use?
Box: V = L × W × H.