Calculate Cubic Yards
Enter your area dimensions to calculate volume in cubic yards. Choose a shape, enter measurements, and optionally select a material for weight and bag estimates.
Material Estimator
Common Material Weights Per Cubic Yard
| Material | Weight (lbs/yd³) | Weight (tons/yd³) | Common Bag Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 3,700 | 1.85 | 60 lb or 80 lb |
| Gravel | 2,800 | 1.40 | 50 lb (0.5 cu ft) |
| Mulch | 600 | 0.30 | 2 cu ft bag |
| Topsoil | 2,200 | 1.10 | 40 lb (1 cu ft) |
| Sand | 2,700 | 1.35 | 50 lb (0.5 cu ft) |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | 3,960 | 1.98 | 50 lb bag |
Weights are approximate and vary with moisture content, density, and source. A standard dump truck holds about 10 cubic yards. A pickup truck holds roughly 1-2 cubic yards depending on bed size.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume used to measure bulk materials in construction and landscaping. One cubic yard equals the volume of a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall -- that is, 27 cubic feet.
When you order gravel, mulch, topsoil, concrete, or sand in bulk, suppliers typically price and deliver by the cubic yard. Understanding how to calculate cubic yards helps you order the right amount -- avoiding the cost of over-ordering or the delay of running short mid-project.
How to Measure Your Area
- Measure length and width of the area in feet and inches. For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles, circles, or triangles and calculate each separately.
- Measure the depth (or thickness) you need. Common depths: 2 inches for mulch top-up, 4 inches for a standard mulch bed or gravel path, 6 inches for a driveway base, 12 inches for a deep garden bed.
- Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12. For example, 4 inches = 0.333 feet.
- Multiply length x width x depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
Formulas Used
Rectangle: Volume = Length x Width x Depth
Circle: Volume = pi x (Diameter/2)² x Depth
Triangle: Volume = 0.5 x Base x Height x Depth
Cubic yards = Cubic feet / 27
Ordering Tips
- Add 5-10% extra for waste, spillage, settling, and uneven ground.
- Round up to the nearest half or whole yard when ordering -- suppliers often sell in half-yard increments.
- Know your delivery vehicle: A standard dump truck holds about 10 cubic yards. A pickup truck bed holds roughly 1-2 cubic yards (but check weight limits -- a cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons).
- Check weight limits for your vehicle. A standard half-ton pickup should not carry more than about 1,000 lbs of material in the bed.
- Compaction factor: Loose gravel and soil compact by 10-15% after placement. If you need 4 inches of compacted gravel, order material for about 5 inches of loose depth.
- Mulch settles: Wood mulch can settle 20-30% over its first year. Apply 3-4 inches for a final settled depth of 2-3 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to 27 cubic feet (3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft). It is the standard measurement used when ordering bulk landscaping and construction materials like mulch, gravel, topsoil, concrete, and sand.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length x width x depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For example: 10 ft x 12 ft x 0.33 ft = 39.6 cu ft / 27 = 1.47 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3 = 27).
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 2,800 pounds (1.4 tons). Exact weight depends on the type of gravel, stone size, and moisture content.
How many bags of mulch equal a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Using standard 2 cubic foot bags, you need about 14 bags. Using 3 cubic foot bags, you need 9 bags. Bulk delivery is often cheaper for quantities over 3 cubic yards.
How many wheelbarrows are in a cubic yard?
A standard 3-cubic-foot wheelbarrow holds about 1/9 of a cubic yard, so you would need approximately 9 trips per cubic yard. A larger 6-cubic-foot wheelbarrow requires about 5 trips.
Should I order extra material?
Yes. It is standard practice to order 5-10% more material than your calculated volume to account for uneven ground, settling, compaction, and minor measurement errors. It is far cheaper and easier to order a bit extra than to schedule a second delivery.
Does this calculator store my data?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored.
Related Tools
- Gravel Calculator -- calculate gravel volume, weight, and cost
- Concrete Calculator -- calculate concrete volume and bag counts
- Soil Volume Calculator -- calculate topsoil and garden soil needs
- Square Footage Calculator -- calculate area in square feet
- Land Area Calculator -- calculate land area in multiple units
- Pool Volume Calculator -- calculate pool water volume
Privacy & Limitations
- All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
- Results are estimates and may vary based on actual conditions.
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Cubic Yard Calculator FAQ
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to 27 cubic feet (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet). It is the standard unit used for ordering bulk materials like gravel, mulch, topsoil, concrete, and sand for landscaping and construction projects.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length x width x depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. For example, an area 10 ft x 12 ft x 0.5 ft = 60 cubic feet / 27 = 2.22 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. This is because 1 yard = 3 feet, and 3 x 3 x 3 = 27.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of gravel typically weighs about 2,800 pounds (1.4 tons). The exact weight varies by gravel type and moisture content.
How much does a cubic yard of mulch weigh?
A cubic yard of mulch typically weighs between 400 and 800 pounds, depending on the type and moisture content. Dry wood mulch is lighter, while wet or rubber mulch is heavier.
How many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. If using 2 cubic foot bags, you need about 14 bags per cubic yard. If using 3 cubic foot bags, you need 9 bags per cubic yard.
Does this calculator store my data?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored.