Cubic yard calculator

Use this free Cubic Yard Calculator to convert length, width, and depth into cubic yards the most common unit for bulk materials like concrete, soil, mulch, gravel, and asphalt in the U.S. Enter dimensions in feet, inches, yards, meters, or centimeters; view results in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.

Turn on pricing to estimate total cost per yard, calculate how many bags of concrete in a cubic yard, convert to asphalt tons, or plan a soil calculator for raised bed garden. We’ve also included a quick reference for how many cubic feet in a yard of mulch, and links to related tools like a home depot mulch calculator, cubic yardage calculator, quikrete calculator, and more.

How to Estimate Concrete, Soil, Mulch & Asphalt Volumes Instantly

Shape Rectangle / Square Circle Right Triangle Known Area Length/Width Unit feet (ft) inches (in) yards (yd) meters (m) centimeters (cm) Depth Unit inches (in) feet (ft) yards (yd) meters (m) centimeters (cm) LengthWidthDepth/ThicknessDiameterDepth/ThicknessTip

Cubic Yard Calculator

Use the same depth unit as selected above.BaseHeight (of triangle)Depth/ThicknessKnown AreaArea Unit square feet square yards square meters Depth/Thickness

Tip: You can type values with commas or units (e.g., 12.5, 4, or 1,200). We’ll parse automatically.

Pricing & Material Options (Optional)

Cost Per Cubic Yard (USD)Waste/Overage (%)Material Mulch Soil/Topsoil Gravel Concrete Asphalt Concrete Bags (if concrete) 40 lb 60 lb 80 lb Mulch Coverage Preset 2 in (beds) 3 in (typical) 4 in (new beds) Shortcuts

Use like a home depot mulch calculator, quikrete calculator, or asphalt calculator.CalculateClear

Volume (cubic yards)—

Volume (cubic feet)—

Volume (cubic meters)—

Adjusted for Overage—

Estimated Cost (USD)—

Concrete Bags (est.)—

Asphalt Tons (est.)—

Mulch Coverage @ preset—

Output	Value
Area used (for calc)	—
Depth used (ft)	—
Material	—
Overage applied	—
Cost per yard	—

Notes: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.76455 cubic meters. Asphalt tonnage assumes ~145 lb/ft³ density; 1 U.S. ton = 2,000 lb. Concrete bag counts are approximations; verify with supplier specs.

What Is a Cubic Yard and Why It Matters in Construction Projects

A cubic yard is a volume that measures 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, which equals 27 cubic feet or 0.76455 cubic meters. In the U.S., suppliers of bulk materials—concrete, topsoil, mulch, gravel, sand, and asphalt—quote deliveries by the cubic yard. Knowing how to convert your space (length × width × depth) into cubic yards lets you order the right amount, avoid shortfalls, and control costs. It’s also the common language used by contractors, ready-mix plants, landscape yards, and big-box retailers, so providing numbers in yards makes quotes smoother and more accurate.

Understanding the cubic yard formula

For rectangular areas: Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft). To convert cubic feet to yards, divide by 27: ft³ ÷ 27 = yd³. For a circle, use area A = π × (diameter/2)², then multiply by depth. Triangles use A = ½ × base × height. If you already know area, multiply by depth to get a volume.

Cubic yards vs. cubic feet vs. cubic meters

• 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.76455 m³
• 1 m³ ≈ 35.3147 ft³ ≈ 1.30795 yd³
• Feet and inches are convenient for on-site measuring; meters and centimeters are universal. This calculator handles both.

Common materials measured in cubic yards

Concrete slabs and footings; soil and compost for raised beds; mulch for garden beds; gravel and crushed stone for bases; asphalt for driveways. Each material has density and settling considerations that influence cost and delivery quantities. The calculator above accepts a cost per yard and applies a customizable overage to cover waste, compaction, and spillage.

How to Use the Cubic Yard Calculator

1. Select a shape: Rectangle/square, circle, right triangle, or known area.
2. Choose units: Enter dimensions in feet/inches/yards or meters/centimeters.
3. Enter depth or thickness: For mulch and soil, depths are often 2–4 inches; for concrete/asphalt, thickness depends on load and code.
4. Optional pricing: Enter cost per cubic yard (USD), set overage (5–10% is common), and choose a material (mulch, soil, gravel, concrete, asphalt) to unlock material-specific helpers like mulch coverage, concrete bags, and asphalt tons.
5. Click Calculate: Instantly see cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, adjusted volume with overage, estimated cost, and material-specific outputs.

Related Tools for Every Project

Home Depot Mulch Calculator Comparing Coverage and Depth

Big-box mulch calculators estimate how many bags or yards you’ll need at a selected depth. Use our cubic yard calculator as a cross-check: 1 cubic yard covers approximately 324 ft² at 1 inch, 162 ft² at 2 inches, or 108 ft² at 3 inches. That rule of thumb aligns closely with what a typical home depot mulch calculator shows. Because mulch settles, consider a 10% overage for new beds or uneven ground.

Soil Calculator for Raised Bed Gardens

Raised beds are usually filled to 6–12 inches depending on crop and bed height. Use the shape that matches your bed (rectangle or known area), enter depth in inches, and let the tool return cubic yards and cost. This section doubles as a soil calculator for raised bed planners: add compost and topsoil proportions, and apply overage to account for settling after watering. For metric planning, switch input units to meters/centimeters.

Asphalt Calculator for Driveways and Paving Projects

Asphalt is often priced by ton. Our tool converts your volume into tons using an assumed density near 145 lb/ft³ (varies with mix and temperature). Enter driveway dimensions and thickness (often 2–3 inches for overlays; 3–4+ inches for new surfaces depending on base). The output serves as a quick asphalt calculator for initial budgeting—verify with local contractors for mix design and haul costs.

Concrete Estimations and Cost Guides

How Many Bags of Concrete in a Cubic Yard

Concrete is sold by ready-mix yards or bagged mixes (e.g., Quikrete). Rules of thumb:

• 80-lb bags: ~38 bags per cubic yard
• 60-lb bags: ~45 bags per cubic yard
• 40-lb bags: ~60 bags per cubic yard

Our calculator multiplies your yardage by the bag factor and rounds up. Use this as a quick planning guide for how many bags of concrete in a cubic yard, or switch the material to concrete and choose your bag size in the dropdown.

How Many Bags of Concrete in a Yard (Quick Table)

Bag Size	Bags per 0.25 yd³	Bags per 0.5 yd³	Bags per 1 yd³	Bags per 1.5 yd³
40 lb	15	30	60	90
60 lb	12	23	45	68
80 lb	10	19	38	57

These figures are approximations. Always check product yield charts from your supplier.

Quikrete Calculator – Accurate Concrete Mix Estimation

If you prefer brand-specific guidance, the quikrete calculator on Quikrete’s site provides mix yields per bag by application. Our tool provides the same basic outcome: total cubic yards and estimated bags. For slabs, remember to include base compaction quality and reinforcement details in your planning.

Concrete Price per Yard – Cost Estimator

Ready-mix concrete prices vary by region, additives, and delivery logistics. A common U.S. ballpark is $120–$170 per cubic yard for standard 3,000–4,000 psi mixes, plus short-load, weekend, distance, or pump fees. Enter your concrete price per yard in the calculator to see a project-specific total cost with your desired overage. For very small jobs, bagged mix may be more practical even if the per-yard cost is higher.

Working with Mulch and Soil

How Many Cubic Feet in a Yard of Mulch?

One cubic yard always equals 27 cubic feet. Mulch coverage depends on depth:

Depth	Coverage per 1 yd³
1 inch	~324 ft²
2 inches	~162 ft²
3 inches	~108 ft²
4 inches	~81 ft²

For newly created beds, 3–4 inches is common; for refreshes, 2–3 inches often suffices. Moisture retention and weed suppression improve with depth. Use our mulch preset to quickly compare coverage at 2, 3, or 4 inches.

Soil Calculator for Raised Bed – Depths and Mixes

Raised beds typically use 6–12 inches of soil depending on crop and bed height. For vegetables, a blend of topsoil, compost, and aeration (e.g., perlite) is popular. Compute by rectangle or known area and set depth in inches. Add 10% overage to account for settling after watering. For metric gardens, switch inputs to meters/centimeters and review cubic meters output alongside yards/feet.

Cubic Yardage Calculator vs. Cubic Yard Calculator

These terms are interchangeable. A cubic yardage calculator converts area and depth to volume in cubic yards. Our tool also returns cubic feet and cubic meters, making it universal for international users and for cross-checking with supplier quotes provided in different units.

Formulas, Conversions & Examples

Rectangles & Squares

Area (ft²) = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
Volume (ft³) = Area (ft²) × Depth (ft)
Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27
Volume (m³) = Volume (ft³) × 0.0283168466

Circles

Area (ft²) = π × (Diameter/2)²
Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth (ft)
Then convert to yd³ and m³ as above.

Right Triangles

Area (ft²) = ½ × Base (ft) × Height (ft)
Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth (ft)

Known Area

If area is in square yards: ft² = yd² × 9
If area is in square meters: ft² = m² × 10.7639104167
Then Volume (ft³) = ft² × Depth (ft)

Quick Example (Mulch):

You have a bed 20 ft by 10 ft, depth 3 inches. Area = 200 ft². Depth = 3 in = 0.25 ft. Volume = 200 × 0.25 = 50 ft³. In yards: 50 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.85 yd³. With 10% overage: ≈ 2.03 yd³ — round up to the next delivery increment.

Quick Example (Concrete Slab):

Slab 12 ft × 10 ft, thickness 4 inches (0.333 ft). Area = 120 ft². Volume = 120 × 0.333 = 39.96 ft³. In yards: 39.96 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.48 yd³. With 5–10% overage and potential fiber/additives, budget 1.6–1.7 yd³.

Pricing: How to Estimate Real-World Costs

Prices are local and seasonal. In the U.S., bulk mulch may range from $25–$60/yd³ (plus delivery), topsoil $20–$55/yd³, gravel $35–$75/yd³, and ready-mix concrete $120–$170/yd³ (base mix) not including delivery or small-load surcharges. Asphalt pricing involves tonnage, plant fees, fuel surcharges, and laydown labor. Our calculator’s cost per yard field gives you a fast budgeting number; always confirm with suppliers and factor delivery windows and site access.

Pro Tips for Accurate Volume & Cost Estimation

• Measure twice. Keep units consistent (feet with inches converted to feet).
• Account for waste/overage. 5–10% is common; 10–15% for rough or deeply contoured areas.
• Check density and moisture. Wet material weighs more and may settle differently than dry.
• Delivery increments. Many suppliers deliver in half-yard or full-yard increments; round up appropriately.
• Concrete placement method. Pump vs. chute affects labor and cost; consider access and hose length.
• Local codes. Concrete/asphalt thickness often follows code or engineering guidance; verify before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.

How many bags of concrete in a cubic yard?

Approximate: 40-lb ≈ 60 bags; 60-lb ≈ 45 bags; 80-lb ≈ 38 bags. Use our calculator’s concrete mode to estimate your specific project and round up.

How many bags of concrete in a yard (short answer)?

At 60-lb each, plan roughly 45 bags per yard. At 80-lb, roughly 38 bags per yard.

Can I use this as a Home Depot mulch calculator?

Yes. Enter your bed dimensions and mulch depth in inches, set an overage (e.g., 10%), and compare coverage. One yard covers about 108 ft² at 3 inches.

Is this a soil calculator for raised bed gardens?

Yes. Choose rectangle or known area, set depth in inches, and add overage for settling after watering.

What about asphalt—can it show tons?

Yes. The tool converts volume to tons using a typical density assumption (around 145 lb/ft³). Always verify with your local plant or contractor.

What’s the difference between “cubic yard calculator” and “cubic yardage calculator”?

They are the same thing; both convert area and depth into cubic yards (and other units).

Implementation Notes for Site Owners

This calculator is fully standalone (inline CSS + JS). It’s designed to paste into WordPress (Classic Editor, Gutenberg “Custom HTML” block, or any page builder Code/HTML module). It won’t conflict with themes because styles are scoped to #cyc-root. If you want to preload costs for different materials (e.g., “mulch $42/yd”, “topsoil $36/yd”), duplicate the calculator section with different default values or add a dropdown that sets price presets via a small script.

Final Thoughts – Save Time and Money with Our Cubic Yard Calculator

The fastest way to get an accurate order is to measure carefully, convert to cubic yards, round up for delivery increments, and factor in waste or settling. This Cubic Yard Calculator does the math for you, supports U.S. and universal/metric units, and extends into cost, how many bags of concrete in a cubic yard, mulch coverage, and asphalt tons. Bookmark it for your next project and share it with your contractor or supplier for a smooth, on-time delivery.