How This Calculator Works
Use this general cubic yards calculator when a supplier sells material by the yard and you need a clean volume estimate before choosing a material-specific calculator.
Formula
Cubic feet = length x width x depth in feet x quantity. Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27.
Assumptions
This is a volume calculator, not a density calculator. Use gravel, soil, mulch, or concrete pages when bag count, tons, or product yield matters.
Measurement Checklist
- Convert depth to feet before multiplying length by width by depth.
- Calculate areas with different depths separately and add the cubic-yard totals.
- Round to the supplier's ordering increment, such as quarter-yard, half-yard, or full-yard minimums.
- Switch to a material-specific calculator when weight, bag yield, coverage, or whole units matter.
Practical Examples
- A 12 ft by 10 ft area at 6 inches deep with 10% overage needs about 2.44 cubic yards, or 2.50 yd^3 if rounded up to the next quarter yard.
- A 10 ft by 10 ft area at 4 inches deep with 10% overage needs about 1.36 yd^3, or 1.50 yd^3 rounded to the next quarter yard.
- Two 8 ft by 12 ft beds at 3 inches deep with 10% overage need about 1.96 yd^3.
- A 24 ft by 3 ft trench backfill at 8 inches deep with 10% overage needs about 1.96 yd^3.