Mixed units: 20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in
A thin layer over a rectangular area. The 3 inch depth is converted to 0.25 ft before anything is multiplied.
200 ft² × 0.25 ft = 50 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³
Cubic Yard Calculator
Free online cubic yard calculator for soil, mulch, gravel, sand and concrete. Pick a shape, enter its size and depth, and press Calculate to see the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters.
Enter Your Measurements to Calculate Cubic Yards
Enter your dimensions, then press Calculate.
Calculate a Rectangle Area
3D view- LLength—
- WWidth—
- DDepth / height—
Area = length × width · Volume = area × depth
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume: the space inside a cube that measures 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high. Since 3 × 3 × 3 = 27, one cubic yard holds exactly 27 cubic feet, or about 0.765 cubic meters. In the United States it is the standard unit for buying bulk material, so topsoil, mulch, gravel, sand and ready mix concrete are priced and delivered by the cubic yard, often just called “a yard.” Our guide to what a cubic yard is goes further, from where the unit comes from to how it compares with square yards, cubic meters and tons.
To find how many cubic yards a space holds, multiply its length, width and depth in feet and divide by 27. The formula section below works through an example, and the calculator above does the sum for any shape and unit.
How big is a cubic yard?
Picture a box as tall as a kitchen counter and just as wide and deep. Next to an adult it reaches about hip height. Spread out, it goes further than most people expect: one cubic yard raked 3 inches deep covers 108 square feet, roughly the floor of a 9 by 12 foot room. Our guide to how much area one cubic yard covers gives the figure for every depth.
- cubic feet
- 27
- cubic inches
- 46,656
- cubic meters
- 0.765
- wheelbarrows (6 ft³)
- ≈ 4½
A cubic yard measures volume, not area or weight
A cubic yard is not a square yard. A square yard is a flat patch 3 feet by 3 feet, or 9 square feet, the unit carpet is often priced in; a cubic yard adds depth. It is not a weight either. A yard of shredded mulch weighs roughly 400 to 800 pounds, while a yard of gravel can weigh 1.3 to 1.7 tons, so check the weight before you load a pickup or trailer. The guide to converting cubic yards to tons lists typical weights by material.
What Is a CY Calculator?
CY is short for cubic yard, so a CY calculator is simply a cubic yard calculator. It turns the length, width and depth of a space into cubic yards, the unit landscape yards, quarries and concrete plants use to sell bulk material. You give it your measurements, and it tells you how much soil, dirt, mulch, gravel, sand or concrete fills that space.
This site is named after its first tool, the cubic yard calculator above. The mulch, concrete, gravel, topsoil and sand calculators use the same method and add what each material needs, such as bag counts or the weight in tons.
What does CY stand for?
CY is short for cubic yard. You will see it on delivery tickets, supplier price lists and contractor estimates, often written as “5 CY of topsoil” or “$45 per CY.” The same unit also appears as yd³, cu yd or simply “yards” when people talk about bulk material.
How to Use This Cubic Yard Calculator
This free cubic yard calculator is built for the moment you are standing in the yard with a tape measure and a delivery to book. There is nothing to install, nothing to sign up for, and your numbers never leave your browser (the privacy policy explains). Here is the short route:
- Pick the shape closest to your space. Rectangle covers most beds, slabs and trenches, and circle suits planters and round pads. If you already know the square footage, choose Known Area.
- Type each measurement and choose its unit from the dropdown next to it. Feet, inches, yards, millimeters, centimeters and meters can be mixed in one calculation.
- Enter the depth or thickness. It is the number people forget, and without it you only have an area.
- Open the optional section if you need it. You can set a quantity for repeated areas, add a waste percentage of your own, and enter a price to see an estimated cost.
- Press Calculate and read the result card. Cubic yards come first, followed by cubic feet and cubic meters, with a one line breakdown so you can check the arithmetic yourself.
Change a depth and press Calculate again to compare totals before you place an order. Every common unit works, so you never need to convert anything before typing.
Cubic Yard Calculation Formula
Behind the screen, the cubic yard calculation is the same sum you would do on paper. Multiply the area by the depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27, the number of cubic feet in one cubic yard.
Cubic feet = area (ft²) × depth (ft)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
For a rectangle the area is simply length × width. A patio base 16 ft long and 12 ft wide, laid 4 inches deep, holds 16 × 12 × (4 ÷ 12) = 64 cubic feet, which is 2.37 cubic yards. That sum is the whole cubic yards formula; the calculator simply applies it to any shape. Want to see how to calculate a cubic yard from scratch? The step by step guide to calculating cubic yards covers the method, a shortcut for inches, and the mistakes that cost people money.
Calculate Cubic Yard Volume for Any Shape
Real spaces are rarely perfect rectangles, so the calculator handles the geometry for you. It finds the area of your shape first and then applies the depth. These are the shapes it supports, the formula behind each one and a worked example.
Rectangle
Beds, slabs, driveways and trenches.
Area = L × W
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
L = length (ft) · W = width (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: L = 20 ft, W = 10 ft, D = 4 in. Area = 200 ft². Volume = 200 × 4 ÷ 12 = 66.67 ft³, which is 2.47 yd³.
Square
Square pads, planters and footings.
Area = S × S
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
S = side length (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: S = 8 ft, D = 6 in. Area = 64 ft². Volume = 64 × 6 ÷ 12 = 32 ft³, which is 1.19 yd³.
Circle
Round beds, pads and planters. A circle with a depth is a cylinder, so post holes and round columns work too.
Area = π × (Ø ÷ 2)²
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
Ø = diameter (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: Ø = 10 ft, D = 3 in. Area = 78.54 ft². Volume = 78.54 × 3 ÷ 12 = 19.64 ft³, which is 0.73 yd³.
Triangle
Corner beds and plots that narrow to a point.
Area = ½ × B × H
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
B = base (ft) · H = triangle height (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: B = 12 ft, H = 8 ft, D = 4 in. Area = 48 ft². Volume = 48 × 4 ÷ 12 = 16 ft³, which is 0.59 yd³.
Trapezoid
Tapered beds and flared driveway entrances.
Area = ½ × (B₁ + B₂) × H
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
B₁ = base 1 (ft) · B₂ = base 2 (ft) · H = trapezoid height (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: B₁ = 16 ft, B₂ = 10 ft, H = 8 ft, D = 3 in. Area = 104 ft². Volume = 104 × 3 ÷ 12 = 26 ft³, which is 0.96 yd³.
Rectangle Border
A strip around a lawn, patio or pool.
Area = (L + 2b) × (W + 2b) − L × W
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
L = inner length (ft) · W = inner width (ft) · b = border width (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: L = 20 ft, W = 12 ft, b = 2 ft, D = 3 in. Area = 144 ft². Volume = 144 × 3 ÷ 12 = 36 ft³, which is 1.33 yd³.
Circle Border
A band around a round bed or fire pit.
Area = π × ((Ø ÷ 2 + b)² − (Ø ÷ 2)²)
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
Ø = inner diameter (ft) · b = border width (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: Ø = 10 ft, b = 2 ft, D = 3 in. Area = 75.4 ft². Volume = 75.4 × 3 ÷ 12 = 18.85 ft³, which is 0.7 yd³.
Annulus (Ring)
A ring around a tree trunk or round planter.
Area = π ÷ 4 × (Ø₁² − Ø₂²)
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
Ø₁ = outer diameter (ft) · Ø₂ = inner diameter (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: Ø₁ = 8 ft, Ø₂ = 2 ft, D = 3 in. Area = 47.12 ft². Volume = 47.12 × 3 ÷ 12 = 11.78 ft³, which is 0.44 yd³.
Known Area
Any space whose square footage you already know.
Area = A (already measured)
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
A = area (ft²) · D = depth (in)
Example: A = 500 ft², D = 2 in. Area = 500 ft². Volume = 500 × 2 ÷ 12 = 83.33 ft³, which is 3.09 yd³.
Borders and rings
A border is handy for a strip of mulch around a lawn or a concrete collar around a pad. Enter the inner size and the border width, and the calculator does the subtraction. A ring (annulus) covers round planters and hollow round pours.
Irregular areas
Split the space into pieces that match the shapes above, calculate each one, and add the cubic yards together. If several pieces are identical, the quantity field multiplies them for you.
Cubic Yard Calculation Examples
These examples were produced by the same code that powers the calculator above, so you can enter the same numbers and compare.
Raised bed: 12 ft × 4 ft × 6 in, with a 10% cushion
The 10% is an allowance you choose yourself for settling and spillage. Leave the field empty and nothing is added.
48 ft² × 0.5 ft = 24 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.89 yd³
With 10% allowance: 0.98 cubic yards
Round planter: 8 ft across, 12 in deep
A circle's area is π × (diameter ÷ 2)², here π × 4² ≈ 50.27 ft², which is then multiplied by the depth.
50.2655 ft² × 1 ft = 50.27 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.86 yd³
Metric: 3 m × 2 m × 10 cm
Metric measurements are converted to feet using the exact definition 1 ft = 0.3048 m (about 3.2808 ft per meter). The answer is 0.6 m³, shown in yards, feet and meters.
64.5835 ft² × 0.3281 ft = 21.19 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.78 yd³
Using yards: 6 yd × 2 yd × 18 in
Each length becomes feet first (18 ft × 6 ft × 1.5 ft). It comes to exactly 6 cubic yards.
108 ft² × 1.5 ft = 162 ft³ ÷ 27 = 6 yd³
Cubic Yards to Feet and Other Conversions
Plenty of people look for a cubic yards to feet calculator when what they need is cubic yards to cubic feet. That is a straight multiplication: cubic feet = cubic yards × 27, so 3 cubic yards is 81 cubic feet. For the reverse sum, a quick way to divide by 27 in your head and the mistakes to avoid, see our guide to how many cubic feet are in a cubic yard.
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Cubic meters |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 6.75 | 0.19 |
| 0.5 | 13.5 | 0.38 |
| 1 | 27 | 0.76 |
| 2 | 54 | 1.53 |
| 5 | 135 | 3.82 |
| 10 | 270 | 7.65 |
How far one cubic yard stretches
Coverage is 27 divided by the depth in feet, so a thin layer spreads a surprisingly long way. Starting from a square footage instead? The guide to converting square feet to cubic yards works the other way, with examples in square yards, acres and square meters.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
Sometimes the question is length rather than area. For a trench or a strip, divide the volume by width times depth. One cubic yard (27 ft³) spread 3 ft wide and 4 inches deep runs 27 feet.
Who Uses a Cubic Yard Estimator?
Homeowners and gardeners
Topping up beds, filling a raised planter or laying a new lawn all come down to the same question: how many yards? The Mulch Calculator adds bag counts, and the Topsoil Calculator adds weight in tons. Our guide to how much mulch you need works through a whole front garden.
Landscapers and contractors
Quoting a job means converting dimensions into a quantity quickly and consistently. For base material, the Gravel Calculator and Sand Calculator let you enter the density your supplier quotes.
DIY builders pouring concrete
A slab or footing is a volume problem first and a bag count problem second. The Concrete Calculator converts yards into 40, 60 and 80 lb bags, and our guide to estimating concrete for a slab covers thickened edges and footings.
How Accurate Is This Cubic Yard Calculator?
The calculator uses standard geometry formulas and exact unit definitions (1 ft = 12 in = 0.3048 m, 1 yd = 3 ft). It keeps full precision while it works and rounds only the number you see, to two decimals; the methodology page lists every formula and rounding rule. The limit on accuracy is the real world: ground slopes, soil settles, gravel compacts and edges wander. Treat the result as a solid starting point and confirm it with your supplier, who knows how their material behaves.
Quick Tips Before You Order
- Measure the depth in more than one spot and use the average if the ground is uneven.
- Decide on the depth first. Recommendations differ between mulch, soil, gravel and concrete.
- Use the waste field for your own cushion. The calculator never adds one on its own, so a blank field means the exact volume.
- If your supplier sells by weight, use the gravel, topsoil or sand calculator, which also show tons.
- Copy the breakdown line from the result card into your quote request so the supplier can check it.
Cubic Yard Calculator FAQ
What does CY mean in CY calculator?
CY stands for cubic yard, so a CY calculator is a cubic yard calculator. It works out how many cubic yards of material a space needs from its length, width and depth.
How do I read CY on a supplier quote?
Treat CY as cubic yards. A quote for 4 CY of mulch means 4 cubic yards, or 108 cubic feet. Enter your measurements above to check the quantity before you order.
What is a cubic yard?
It is the volume of a cube that measures 3 feet along each edge: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet, or about 0.765 cubic meters. Soil, mulch, gravel, sand and concrete are commonly sold by this unit.
How do I calculate cubic yards by hand?
Convert length, width and depth to feet, multiply them to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. The cubic yard calculation guide shows the steps with more examples and a shortcut for depths in inches.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27. Multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, or divide cubic feet by 27 to go the other way.
Is this cubic yard calculator free?
Yes. It is a free cubic yard calculator, and it works as a cubic yards calculator online with nothing to download, no account to create and no limit on how many estimates you run.
What is the difference between a cubic yard and a square yard?
A square yard measures area (9 square feet) and a cubic yard measures volume (27 cubic feet). Bulk materials are sold by volume, while flooring and turf are usually priced by area.
Can I use it as a yardage calculator for flooring or fabric?
Those jobs need area, not volume, so use the Square Feet Calculator. It also shows the result in square yards.
Does it work in metric?
Yes. Pick meters, centimeters or millimeters for any field and the result is converted exactly. Cubic meters are shown next to cubic yards.
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
It depends on the bed and on the truck's payload. For volume, multiply the bed's length, width and side height in feet and divide by 27: a 6.5 ft by 5 ft bed with 1.7 ft sides holds about 2 cubic yards filled level, which suits light material such as mulch. With heavy material the weight limit comes first. Multiply the cubic yards by the material's density to get tons (gravel is often around 1.4 tons per yard, so half a yard weighs about 1,400 lb) and compare that with the payload on the door sticker. Never load past the rated payload.
What if my space is not a simple shape?
Break it into rectangles, circles or triangles, calculate each piece, and add the cubic yards together. The quantity field saves time when several pieces are the same size.
Related Guides
- How to Calculate Cubic Yards: Complete GuideCalculate cubic yards from length, width and depth with one formula, a shortcut for inches, metric conversions, worked examples and common mistakes.
- What Is a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on each side, or 27 cubic feet. See how big it really is, how it converts, and why soil, gravel and concrete are sold this way.
- How Many Cubic Feet Are in a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard holds exactly 27 cubic feet. See why, how to convert either way, and how many bags of each common size make up one yard.
- How Much Area Does One Cubic Yard Cover?Find out how much area one cubic yard of mulch, gravel, topsoil or sand covers at different depths, with a coverage chart and an easy formula.
More Calculators
- Mulch CalculatorHow much mulch for a bed, in cubic yards and bags.
- Concrete CalculatorConcrete for slabs, footings and columns, in yards and bags.
- Gravel CalculatorGravel for paths and driveways, in cubic yards and tons.
- Topsoil CalculatorTopsoil for lawns and garden beds, in cubic yards and tons.
- Sand CalculatorSand for paver bases, sandboxes and fill, in yards and tons.
- Square Feet CalculatorArea of any shape in ft², yd², m² and acres.
Cite this page
APA style
Khan, M. A. (2026, October 19). Cubic Yard Calculator. CY Calculator. https://cycalculator.com/