Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert any length, width, and depth into cubic yards for dirt, gravel, mulch, or concrete orders — plus the cost at your price per yard.
How this calculator works
Every bulk material order — soil, gravel, sand, mulch — starts from the same three measurements: how long, how wide, and how deep. This calculator multiplies those together to get a volume in cubic feet, then divides by 27 to convert to cubic yards, the unit suppliers actually price and deliver by.
Formula: Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27, where Depth ft = Depth in ÷ 12.
Worked example
A 12 ft × 10 ft area at a 6-inch depth:
- Depth in feet: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
- Cubic yards: (12 × 10 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 2.22 yd³
- At $40/yd³, that’s $88.89 before waste.
Coverage reference
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft × 10 ft | 4 in | ~1.23 yd³ |
| 12 ft × 10 ft | 6 in | ~2.22 yd³ |
| 20 ft × 15 ft | 6 in | ~5.56 yd³ |
How to measure your area
Measure length and width in feet at the surface where the material will sit, and measure depth as the actual fill thickness you plan to add — not the total finished height if there’s already existing material in place. For sloped or uneven ground, take a few depth readings across the area and use the average.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a cubic yard?
A cube measuring 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, or 27 cubic feet. It's the standard bulk-delivery unit for loose materials like soil, mulch, gravel, and sand because a full-size dump truck load is typically measured and priced in cubic yards.
Why does this calculator ask for depth in inches but return yards?
Most people measure a project's depth with a tape measure in inches (a 4-inch base, a 6-inch fill), but suppliers sell and price material by the cubic yard. This tool does the inches-to-feet conversion internally so you can enter what you actually measured.
Does this calculator work for any material, or just soil?
It works for any bulk material sold by volume — soil, sand, gravel, mulch, even concrete before it's converted to a per-bag or per-yard price. The formula is purely geometric; it doesn't apply a material-specific density unless you're converting to weight.
How much should I round up when ordering?
Suppliers can't deliver a fraction of a yard load precisely, and running short mid-project means a second delivery fee. Turn on the waste toggle to add 10%, and round the final number up to the nearest half or full yard when you place the order.
My area isn't a rectangle — how do I use this?
Split the footprint into rectangles (or triangles, calculated separately), run the calculator for each piece, and add the resulting cubic yardages together. For a circular area, use radius² × π × depth, converted to yards, instead of this length × width formula.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.