Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert any length × width × depth into cubic yards, cubic meters and cubic feet — the unit bulk materials are sold in.
How to calculate cubic yards
Almost every bulk material — mulch, gravel, soil, sand, concrete — is sold by the cubic yard, but you measure your project in feet and inches. The conversion is where the classic ordering mistakes happen, so here it is in one line:
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Example: a 9 × 9 ft area covered 1 ft deep is 81 cubic feet = 3 cubic yards (2.29 cubic meters).
The numbers worth memorising
| Conversion | Value |
|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet |
| 1 cubic yard | 0.765 cubic meters |
| 1 cubic meter | 1.31 cubic yards |
| 1 cu yd at 3 in deep | covers 108 sq ft |
| 1 cu yd at 4 in deep | covers 81 sq ft |
Depth is quoted in inches on most jobs, so divide inches by 12 before using the formula — or just use this calculator, which accepts inches and centimeters directly. For material-specific answers (bags, tons, waste allowances), use the dedicated mulch, gravel and concrete calculators.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. The common mistake is dividing by 9 (that's square yards) or by 3 — a yard is 3 feet in each of three dimensions, so 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
At 2 inches deep, 162 sq ft; at 3 inches, 108 sq ft; at 4 inches, 81 sq ft; at 6 inches, 54 sq ft. Halve the depth, double the coverage.
Cubic yards or cubic meters — which will the supplier use?
In the US, cubic yards. In the UK, Australia and most metric countries, cubic meters or tonnes. This calculator always shows you both, so you can order in theirs and check in yours.
Why is my measured volume less than what I ordered?
Loose materials compact: a delivered yard of mulch or soil settles 10–20% in the first weeks. Suppliers measure loose at the yard; the material genuinely shrinks in place.
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