Cubic Yard Calculator
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27, because one cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 10 × 10 ft area 6 in deep is 50 ft³, or 1.85 yd³ (1.42 m³).
Volume
1.85 yd³
50 ft³ · 1.416 m³
- Cubic feet
- 50 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 1.416 m³
- Liters
- 1,416 L
How it works
Volume (ft³) = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12
Cubic yards = ft³ ÷ 27
Cubic meters = yd³ × 0.764554857984
Assumptions
- The space is a rectangular box. For a round area, use the square footage calculator for the area, then multiply by the depth.
- Exact NIST conversion factors: 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.764554857984 m³.
- The result is the volume of the hole or layer. Material that settles or is compacted after delivery needs extra, which this tool does not add.
Worked examples
A 10 × 10 ft area, 6 in deep
- 10 × 10 × 6 ÷ 12 = 50 ft³
- 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³
- 1.85 × 0.7646 = 1.42 m³
Result: 1.85 cubic yards (50 ft³, 1.42 m³).
Checked by the automated test “cubic yard — 10 × 10 ft × 6 in = 50 ft³ = 1.85 yd³ = 1.42 m³”.
Metric input: 2 m × 3 m × 50 cm
- 2 × 3 × 0.5 = 3 m³
- 3 ÷ 0.764554857984 = 3.92 yd³
Result: 3.92 cubic yards.
Checked by the automated test “cubic yard — metric input 2 × 3 × 0.5 m = 3 m³ = 3.92 yd³”.
Rounding when you order
- Round up to what the supplier sells. Ask in what steps they sell (whole yards, half yards) and round the result up to the next step, not to the nearest one.
- A shortcut to check the result: one cubic yard covers 324 ft² divided by the depth in inches. At 9 in deep that is only 36 ft².
- Settling and compaction. Loose topsoil or fill shrinks once it is spread and rolled. Ask the supplier how much extra they suggest for the product you buy.
Common mistakes
- Mixing units. Typing 0.5 in the depth box when it expects inches gives a volume 12 times too small. Check the unit next to each box.
- Using the area of the whole yard. Measure only the part that gets material, and split odd shapes into rectangles.
- Forgetting the depth varies. On a sloped site, measure the depth at several points and use the average.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 ft on each side: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 ft³ (NIST Handbook 44).
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
You need a depth. Multiply the square feet by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27. For 200 ft² at 3 in: 200 × 0.25 = 50 ft³, and 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³. In the calculator, enter 20 × 10 ft and 3 in.
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
It depends on the material and how wet it is, so there is no single answer. Ask your supplier for the weight per yard of the exact product. For stone, the gravel calculator converts yards to tons with a density you can set.
Sources
Formula, examples and sources checked on by the Yardstick Math team. How we check our formulas.