Project Area
0 sq ft
Home & DIY Calculator
Cubic Yard Calculator
Estimate the cubic yards of material needed for a rectangular, circular, or triangular area. Add waste and an optional price per cubic yard for a purchasing estimate.
Material Estimate
Order quantity
0 cubic yards
Volume Before Waste
0 yd³
Volume in Cubic Feet
0 ft³
Estimated Material Cost
Not entered
Calculation Summary
How to calculate cubic yards
First calculate the area in square feet. Multiply the area by the material depth in feet to find cubic feet. Divide the cubic-foot total by 27 because one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.
Cubic yards = square feet × depth in feet ÷ 27
Common cubic-yard projects
- Gravel and crushed stone
- Topsoil and garden soil
- Mulch and wood chips
- Concrete slabs and footings
- Sand and paver base
- Compost and landscape material
Should you add extra material?
An allowance can account for compaction, settling, uneven excavation, spillage, and measurement differences. The appropriate allowance depends on the material and project.
Before ordering, ask the supplier whether material is sold by loose cubic yard, compacted cubic yard, weight, bag, or truckload. Delivery minimums and rounding policies can affect the final order.