Cubic Yards Calculator
Convert Any Dimensions to Cubic Yards Instantly
Cubic yards are the standard unit for ordering bulk materials in the US — concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch, sand, and excavated dirt are all priced and delivered by the cubic yard. This calculator converts length, width, and depth in any unit combination to cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters so you can order the right amount and verify supplier quotes.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your length, width, and depth/height, then select your unit system. The default mode accepts length and width in feet and depth in inches — the most common format for construction and landscaping projects. Hit Calculate Volume to see the result in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, liters, and gallons.
How the Calculation Works
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27). If your depth is in inches, divide by 12 first to convert to feet before calculating. The calculator handles this conversion automatically when you use the "Feet + Inches depth" mode.
Real-World Example
Using the defaults — 10 ft × 10 ft area, 6 inches deep:
- Depth in feet: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
- Cubic feet: 10 × 10 × 0.5 = 50 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cu yd
- Cubic meters: 1.85 × 0.7646 = 1.41 m³
- Liters: ~1,416 L
- US gallons: ~374 gallons
For a concrete pour, this 1.85 cubic yard calculation rounds up to 2 cubic yards when ordering ready-mix (always round up — never run short on a concrete pour). For mulch or gravel, add 10% for settling: order approximately 2 cu yd.
Why 27 Cubic Feet Per Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet on each side. Volume = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. This is the conversion factor you'll use constantly in construction and landscaping. It's worth memorizing — dividing by 27 to convert from cubic feet to cubic yards is one of the most common calculations in material estimation.
Common Applications
- Concrete: ready-mix is ordered and priced by the cubic yard. Minimum orders are typically 1 yard; partial yard surcharges apply.
- Gravel and crushed stone: bulk delivery by the cubic yard or ton (1 cu yd of gravel ≈ 1.4 tons). Use the gravel calculator for weight conversions.
- Topsoil and compost: garden projects, raised beds, and yard grading — typically ordered by the cubic yard.
- Mulch: landscaping beds and paths — lighter than gravel (1 cu yd ≈ 500 lbs).
- Excavation: estimating how much dirt will be removed — important for hauling cost estimates.
- Pool fill: calculating water volume when filling or draining (convert cubic yards to gallons using the results).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards do I need for a concrete slab?
Use the formula: (Length × Width × Thickness in feet) ÷ 27. For a 10 × 10 ft slab at 4 inches thick: (10 × 10 × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 1.23 cu yd. Always add 10% for waste and round up: order 1.5 cu yd. For a complete concrete estimate including bags vs. ready-mix comparison, use our concrete calculator.
How many cubic yards fit in a standard pickup truck?
A standard full-size pickup truck (8-foot bed) holds approximately 1–1.5 cubic yards of gravel or topsoil when filled level with the bed rails. Heaping the load adds perhaps another 0.5 cu yd but increases risk and may exceed the truck's payload rating. A half-ton truck has a payload of about 1,500–2,000 lbs — gravel at 2,800 lbs/cu yd means a safe maximum of about 0.5 to 0.75 yards by weight.
What's the difference between cubic yards and square yards?
Cubic yards measure volume (three-dimensional space). Square yards measure area (two-dimensional surface). A 10 × 10 foot area is 100 square feet = 11.1 square yards. That same area with a 6-inch depth is 1.85 cubic yards. Flooring and carpet use square yards; concrete, gravel, and bulk materials use cubic yards.
How do I convert cubic yards to gallons?
1 cubic yard = 201.97 US gallons = 168.18 UK gallons. For pool and tank calculations: multiply your cubic yards by 202 to get approximate US gallons. A 10-cubic-yard volume holds approximately 2,020 gallons of water — useful for estimating water features, irrigation tanks, and swimming pool volumes.
Why do my measurements seem right but the cubic yards seem off?
The most common mistake is mixing units — entering depth in inches but forgetting to divide by 12 before calculating, or entering dimensions in feet when the "All Meters" mode is selected. Check your unit system selection carefully. The "Feet + Inches depth" mode handles the most common scenario automatically — feet for length and width, inches for depth.