Calculate volume in cubic yards for concrete, mulch, gravel, soil, and more. Enter dimensions to get exact material quantities for your project.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your space to calculate volume.
A cubic yards calculator computes the volume of a three-dimensional space in cubic yards (yd³). This measurement is essential in construction, landscaping, and material delivery. In the United States, most bulk materials — including concrete, mulch, gravel, topsoil, and sand — are sold by the cubic yard.
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft), or approximately 0.7646 cubic meters. Understanding this conversion is crucial for accurate project planning. For area-only calculations, check our Square Footage Calculator. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) maintains the official standards for these measurements.
When all measurements are in feet, the formula divides by 27 because there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
Example: A driveway is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and needs 4 inches (0.33 ft) of gravel
Volume = 20 × 10 × 0.33 = 66 cubic feet
Cubic yards = 66 ÷ 27 = 2.44 cubic yards
Order 2.5 to 3 cubic yards to account for settling and waste.
Different materials have different weights per cubic yard. Here's a reference guide based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey and industry standards:
For cost estimation, multiply cubic yards by the local price per yard. Most suppliers list prices on their websites. Use our Percentage Calculator to add waste factors, and our Unit Converter for additional conversions.
These conversions are standardized by NIST and are critical for international construction projects where metric and imperial measurements mix. The Concrete Network also offers practical guides for concrete volume estimation.
It takes approximately 45 bags of 80-lb concrete mix (or 60 bags of 60-lb mix) to make one cubic yard. For larger projects, ordering ready-mix concrete from a truck is more cost-effective and ensures consistent quality.
Gravel typically costs $15-$75 per cubic yard depending on the type, with delivery usually adding $50-$150. Pea gravel and crushed stone are at the lower end, while decorative gravel costs more. Prices vary by region and quantity.
Yes! Always order 5-10% extra for concrete (to account for spillage and uneven surfaces) and 10-15% extra for gravel, mulch, and soil (to account for settling and compaction). It's always better to have a little extra than to run short mid-project.
Square feet measures area (2D: length × width), while cubic yards measures volume (3D: length × width × depth). You need square footage for flooring and paint, but cubic yards for materials with depth like concrete, mulch, and gravel.
A cubic yard is a volume measuring three feet in every direction, equal to 27 cubic feet. It is the standard unit for ordering bulk materials in the United States: concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch and sand are all sold by the yard. A cubic yards calculator converts your project dimensions into the volume you need to order, handling the depth-in-inches conversion that causes most manual errors.
There are three feet in a yard, but 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. Dividing by 3 instead of 27 overstates your order ninefold. Volume scales with the cube of the linear factor, which is easy to forget under pressure at a supplier's counter.
Step 1: Convert depth to feet
Step 2: Calculate volume in cubic feet
Step 3: Convert to cubic yards
Step 4: Add 10 percent for uneven subgrade
Order 6.5 cubic yards, most likely rounded up to 7 by the supplier
| Application | Typical Depth | Depth in Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch, garden beds | 2 to 3 in | 0.167 to 0.25 |
| Topsoil for lawn | 4 to 6 in | 0.333 to 0.5 |
| Gravel driveway base | 4 to 6 in | 0.333 to 0.5 |
| Concrete patio or walkway | 4 in | 0.333 |
| Concrete driveway | 5 to 6 in | 0.417 to 0.5 |
A useful cross-check: one cubic yard covers a fixed area depending on how deep you spread it.
| Depth | Area Covered by 1 Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft |
Weight determines delivery cost, how many loads you need, and whether your driveway can take the truck.
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Concrete | About 4,000 lb (2 tons) |
| Gravel | About 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) |
| Sand | About 2,600 lb (1.3 tons) |
| Topsoil | About 2,200 lb (1.1 tons) |
| Mulch | About 800 lb (0.4 tons) |
Concrete has to be placed in one continuous operation. If a second truck arrives after the first batch has begun to set, a cold joint forms at the boundary, creating a weak line through the slab. Ordering slightly over is far cheaper than dealing with that. Suppliers generally sell in quarter-yard increments, so round up.
This calculator provides estimates for general planning. For structural concrete, foundations or load-bearing work, follow the specifications of a qualified engineer or contractor and confirm quantities with your supplier.