{"id":"cubic-yard-calculator","name":"Cubic Yard Calculator","shortName":"Cubic Yards","canonicalUrl":"https://calcurhome.com/calculators/cubic-yard-calculator","catalogUrl":"https://calcurhome.com/api/calculators","category":{"id":"area-volume","name":"Area & volume","url":"https://calcurhome.com/calculators/category/area-volume"},"language":"en-US","audience":"US homeowners, DIYers and home-project planners","primaryKeyword":"cubic yard calculator","secondaryKeywords":["yards of material calculator","cubic feet to cubic yards","landscape volume calculator","how many cubic yards"],"description":"Calculate cubic yards from project length, width, and depth in inches, including optional waste for soil, gravel, mulch, or concrete.","directAnswer":"Multiply length in feet by width in feet and depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Because depth is entered in inches here, divide it by 12 first. Add waste for settlement, grading variation, and delivery limitations.","inputs":[{"key":"length","label":"Length","unit":"ft","defaultValue":20,"min":0.1,"step":0.1},{"key":"width","label":"Width","unit":"ft","defaultValue":10,"min":0.1,"step":0.1},{"key":"depth","label":"Depth","unit":"in","defaultValue":4,"min":0.1,"step":0.25},{"key":"waste","label":"Extra material","unit":"%","defaultValue":10,"min":0,"max":50,"step":1}],"formula":{"title":"Rectangular volume in cubic yards","expression":"Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × [depth (in) ÷ 12] ÷ 27","explanation":"Dividing inches by 12 converts depth to feet. The three dimensions then produce cubic feet, and dividing by 27 converts cubic feet to cubic yards because one cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 feet."},"measurementGuide":["Measure the longest and widest limits of the material area in feet.","Take several depth readings and use an average rather than assuming perfectly level ground.","Break curved or irregular areas into smaller rectangles and calculate them individually.","Measure compacted finished depth for specifications, then account separately for expected settlement."],"buyingTips":["Ask whether the supplier measures loose, compacted, or installed volume.","Confirm minimum delivery quantity, partial-yard increments, and truck access before ordering.","For heavy products, verify that the driveway and unloading area can support the delivery truck.","Do not use one universal waste rate; soil settling, gravel compaction, and concrete placement differ."],"workedExample":{"title":"Gravel base volume","scenario":"A 20 ft by 10 ft rectangular base needs 4 inches of material plus 10% extra.","result":"20 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd; with 10% extra, order 2.72 cu yd."},"commonQuestions":[{"question":"How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?","answer":"One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. A cubic yard is a cube measuring three feet long, three feet wide, and three feet high, so its volume is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet."},{"question":"How many square feet does one cubic yard cover?","answer":"Coverage depends on depth. One cubic yard covers about 81 square feet at four inches deep, 108 square feet at three inches, or 324 square feet at one inch. Actual coverage changes with compaction and surface variation."},{"question":"Should I round cubic yards up or down?","answer":"Round up to the supplier’s available increment because a short load can interrupt work and cost another delivery fee. First add an appropriate allowance, then round once. Avoid repeatedly rounding intermediate measurements, which can inflate the result."},{"question":"How do I calculate cubic yards for a circular area?","answer":"Find the circle’s area using π × radius², multiply by depth in feet, and divide the resulting cubic feet by 27. Use radius, not diameter, and take multiple depth readings when the excavation is uneven."}],"sources":[{"name":"National Institute of Standards and Technology — SI Units: Length","url":"https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/si-units-length","note":"Primary federal reference for customary-to-metric length relationships and unit definitions."}],"defaultCalculation":{"inputs":{"length":20,"width":10,"depth":4,"waste":10},"result":{"value":"2.72","unit":"cu yd","label":"Material volume with extra","lines":[{"label":"Exact volume","value":"2.47 cu yd"},{"label":"Cubic feet","value":"66.7 cu ft"},{"label":"Square-foot footprint","value":"200 sq ft"},{"label":"Extra volume","value":"0.25 cu yd"}],"summary":"The rectangular area holds 2.47 cubic yards at a uniform 4-inch depth.","note":"Suppliers may sell in half-yard, whole-yard, bag, or truckload increments; round to the available increment."}},"reviewedOn":"2026-07-23","disclaimer":"Planning estimate only. Verify product coverage, supplier rounding, local codes and structural requirements before purchase or construction."}