A cubic yard calculator computes volume in cubic yards from dimensions and converts between yd³, cubic feet, cubic meters, gallons, and tons. Essential for landscaping, concrete, and construction.
A cubic yard (yd³) is the volume of a cube with 1-yard (3-foot) sides = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. It is the standard unit for ordering bulk materials: concrete, gravel, mulch, topsoil, sand, and fill dirt.
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 201.97 US gallons = 764.55 liters = 0.7646 cubic meters.
V (yd³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27.
Or in yards: V = L(yd) × W(yd) × D(yd).
Example: Driveway 30 ft × 12 ft × 0.33 ft (4 inches) of gravel: V = 30 × 12 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 4.4 yd³ of gravel needed.
10×10×0.33 ft = 33 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.22 yd³. Order 1.5 yd³ (+20% waste).
100×0.25 ft = 25 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.93 yd³. Order 1 yd³.
32 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.19 yd³ = about 1.5 tons of topsoil.
Small: 5 yd³. Standard: 10-14 yd³. Large: 16-20 yd³.
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Answers to common questions about the cubic yard calculator.
27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard. 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³. Divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards.
It depends on the material: Concrete: ~4,050 lbs. Gravel: ~2,700 lbs. Sand: ~2,700 lbs. Topsoil: ~2,200 lbs. Mulch: ~400-800 lbs. Compost: ~1,000 lbs.
At 1" depth: 324 sq ft. At 2" depth: 162 sq ft. At 3" depth: 108 sq ft. At 4" depth: 81 sq ft. At 6" depth: 54 sq ft. At 12" depth: 27 sq ft.
An 80-lb bag makes ~0.6 ft³. So 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ ÷ 0.6 = ~45 bags of 80-lb concrete. A 60-lb bag ≈ 0.45 ft³ → ~60 bags per yard.
Yes — order 10-20% extra for waste, compaction, and uneven surfaces. For concrete: add 10%. For gravel/mulch: add 15-20%. It's cheaper to return excess than to reorder a small amount.