Cubic Yards Calculator.
Measure your space. Find your quantity. Get your project off the ground.
Your project
Order optionsBags & extra material
The volume stays the same for any material. Choose one for specific buying guidance.
Allowance applies to both options. Order increments and supplier minimums apply only to bulk orders. Bag counts always round up.
Compare material costsOptional
Enter quotes for the same material. All prices are in US dollars; tax and unlisted fees are excluded.
Enter a price to see its total. Add both prices to compare.
Project estimate
CUBIC YARDS — PROJECT ESTIMATE Material: Any material Area 1: 20 × 10 ft × 3 in depth Calculated volume: 1.85 yd³ Allowance: 0% Bulk order increment: 0 yd³; supplier minimum: 0 yd³ Bulk order: 1.85 yd³ Bag equivalent: 25 bags at 2 ft³ each Price estimates exclude tax and unlisted fees. Confirm material, quantity, and delivery with your supplier. Open the calculator website to edit this estimate.
A yard is bigger
than you think.
A cubic yard is a measure of volume: a cube that’s 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet tall. Use it to work out how much material fills your space.
20 ft × 10 ft × 3 in ÷ 324 = 1.85 cubic yards
Divide by 12 to convert inches to feet, then by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.What’s going in your yard?
Mulch calculator
Freshen up your beds. Find your yardage and compare bags with a bulk delivery.
Topsoil calculator
Fill a bed or level a space. Add up your areas and plan how much soil to order.
Gravel calculator
Plan a path or gravel area. Calculate volume and use supplier density to estimate weight.
How much does one yard cover?
| Material depth | Coverage per yd³ |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 square feet |
| 2 inches | 162 square feet |
| 3 inches | 108 square feet |
| 4 inches | 81 square feet |
| 6 inches | 54 square feet |
| 12 inches | 27 square feet |
Calculated coverage before allowances, settling, or compaction.
A few good questions.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length in feet by width in feet by depth in inches, then divide by 324. If all three measurements are in feet, divide their product by 27 instead.
How many bags are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet. Divide 27 by the volume printed on the bag. With 2-cubic-foot bags, that is 13.5 bags, so buy 14 whole bags to cover a full cubic yard.
Can I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Yes, if you also know the depth. Choose Known area, enter your square footage and depth, and the calculator converts the volume. Square footage by itself is not enough.
Should I order extra material?
That depends on measurement uncertainty, material, and the job. The calculator starts with no extra allowance. Add your chosen percentage under Order options, and check your supplier’s minimum and order increments.
Does a cubic yard always weigh the same?
No. A cubic yard measures volume, while pounds and tons measure weight. Density changes with the material and its moisture. For gravel, enter your supplier’s pounds per cubic yard to estimate US short tons.
A little know-how goes a long way.
How to measure your project
Rectangles, curves, and uneven depths. Turn your space into an accurate estimate.
Bulk or bags: which makes sense?
Compare the whole cost, including delivery, minimum orders, and leftover material.
Our conversions use NIST unit definitions. Results are estimates based on your measurements. Read our calculation methodology.