How to Calculate Cubic Yards: Formula, Chart and Examples
To find cubic yards, multiply the length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, and divide by 27. A bed 20 ft long, 10 ft wide and 3 inches deep (0.25 ft) is 50 cubic feet, which is 1.85 cubic yards. Depth is usually given in inches, so convert it first: divide by 12. The cubic yard calculator does it for any rectangle, circle or area.
The formula, step by step
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet. For a circle, use the diameter.
- Convert the depth to feet by dividing the inches by 12.
- Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet. For a circle use π × radius² × depth.
- Divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
- Add 5 to 10% for settling, uneven ground and spillage, and round up to the next half yard.
How far does one cubic yard go?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it covers 324 square feet at a depth of 1 inch. Divide 324 by the depth in inches:
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cubic yard | In square meters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 30.1 m² |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 15.1 m² |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 10.0 m² |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 7.5 m² |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 5.0 m² |
| 8 in | 41 sq ft | 3.8 m² |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 2.5 m² |
Cubic yards for a given area and depth
| Area | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.70 | 5.56 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 |
| 1000 sq ft | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
Worked examples
| Job | Cubic feet | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft, 6 in deep | 16.0 cu ft | 0.59 cu yd |
| 10 × 10 ft, 3 in deep | 25.0 cu ft | 0.93 cu yd |
| 10 × 10 ft, 4 in deep | 33.3 cu ft | 1.23 cu yd |
| 12 × 12 ft, 4 in deep | 48.0 cu ft | 1.78 cu yd |
| 20 × 10 ft, 3 in deep | 50.0 cu ft | 1.85 cu yd |
| 20 × 20 ft, 4 in deep | 133.3 cu ft | 4.94 cu yd |
A round bed 12 ft across and 4 inches deep is 37.7 cubic feet, or 1.40 cubic yards.
Which depth for which material?
- Mulch: 2 to 3 inches (see the mulch calculator).
- Topsoil for a lawn: 4 to 6 inches. For a raised bed, fill the whole height.
- Gravel for a path or driveway: 2 to 4 inches on top of a base, and 4 to 6 inches for the base itself.
- Concrete slab: 4 inches for a patio, with a thicker slab for a driveway (see the concrete calculator).
Bulk materials are sold by the cubic yard (and sometimes the ton), and bags by the cubic foot. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet or 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet. To order by weight, see the cubic yards to tons chart.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cubic yards?
Multiply the length, width and depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. A bed 20 ft long, 10 ft wide and 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep is 50 cubic feet, which is 1.85 cubic yards.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 162 at 2 inches, 81 at 4 inches and 324 at 1 inch. Divide 324 by the depth in inches.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27, because a cubic yard is 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.
How do you convert inches of depth to feet?
Divide the inches by 12. Three inches is 0.25 feet, four inches is 0.333 feet and six inches is 0.5 feet.
How many cubic yards for a circular bed?
Find the area (π × radius²) and multiply by the depth. A circle 12 feet across and 4 inches deep is 37.7 cubic feet, or 1.40 cubic yards.
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