Cubic Yard Calculator
Your estimate
- Cubic feet
- 33.33 ft³1.23 yd³ · 0.944 m³
- Estimated cost
- $55.56
Bulk materials are sold by the yard — enter the area and depth, get yards and cost.
Updated 2026-10-20 · Based on: exact NIST unit definitions.
How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator
- Enter length and width in feet, depth in inches.
- Use Circle for round beds.
- Add the price per yard to see the cost.
- Round up when you order.
Formula
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Depth in inches ÷ 12 = depth in feet.
A 10 × 10 ft area 3 in deep = 10 × 10 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 0.93 yd³.
Worked example
With the values preset in the calculator above: (Box)
- Length
- 10 ft
- Width
- 10 ft
- Thickness
- 4 in
- Quantity
- 1
- Cubic yards
- 1.23 yd³ (33.3 ft³)
- Cubic feet
- 33.33 ft³ (1.23 yd³)
- Estimated cost
- $55.56
How to calculate cubic yards
Multiply the length and width in feet, multiply by the depth in feet, then divide by 27 because one cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard covers 324 ft² at 1 in, 108 ft² at 3 in and 81 ft² at 4 in deep.
Cubic yards for common areas
| Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Thickness (in) | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 3 | 0.93 yd³ |
| 10 | 10 | 6 | 1.85 yd³ |
| 12 | 12 | 4 | 1.78 yd³ |
| 20 | 20 | 3 | 3.7 yd³ |
| 20 | 20 | 4 | 4.94 yd³ |
| 27 | 12 | 1 | 1 yd³ |
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet in a yard?
27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). One cubic yard is also 0.765 m³.
How much does a cubic yard cover?
324 ft² at 1 in deep, 162 ft² at 2 in, 108 ft² at 3 in and 81 ft² at 4 in.
How many yards fit in a pickup truck?
A full-size pickup bed holds about 2 yd³ of mulch but only ½–1 yd³ of gravel or soil because of the weight limit.
More calculators
Estimates only — check quantities with your supplier and local building code before you order.