BYTETOOLS

Cubic Yard Calculator

Convert length, width and depth in feet, inches, yards, metres or centimetres into cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres for landscaping material orders.

1.3333
Cubic yards (yd³)
36
Cubic feet (ft³)
1.0194
Cubic meters (m³)

Order estimate

  • Volume = length × width × depth36 ft³
  • Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 271.3333 yd³
  • With 10% waste allowance1.4667 yd³

Estimate only — settling, compaction and uneven ground change how much material you actually need. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.

What is the Cubic Yard Calculator?

The ByteTools Cubic Yard Calculator turns a space measured as length × width × depth into cubic yards — the unit bulk materials like soil, mulch, gravel, sand and concrete are sold by.

  • Mix units freely — feet, inches, yards, metres, centimetres per dimension
  • Results in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres
  • Built-in 10% waste allowance figure
  • Exact conversion factors (1 yd³ = 27 ft³)
  • Ideal for soil, mulch, gravel, sand and concrete estimates
  • 100% private — runs entirely in your browser

How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator

  1. 1

    Enter the length of the area and pick its unit.

  2. 2

    Enter the width and its unit.

  3. 3

    Enter the depth — inches or centimetres are typical for mulch and gravel.

  4. 4

    Read the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres.

  5. 5

    Use the 10% waste figure when placing your order.

About the Cubic Yard Calculator

The ByteTools Cubic Yard Calculator turns a space measured as length × width × depth into cubic yards — the unit bulk materials like soil, mulch, gravel, sand and concrete are sold by. Each dimension takes its own unit (feet, inches, yards, metres or centimetres), so you can mix a plot measured in feet with a depth in inches, exactly as jobs are measured in real life.

The result is shown in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres, plus a version with a 10% waste allowance added — a common rule of thumb when ordering. A 12 ft × 12 ft bed at 3 inches deep, for instance, is 36 cubic feet, or 1.33 cubic yards. These figures are estimates only: settling, compaction and uneven ground affect real quantities, so confirm with your supplier before ordering.

The conversion happens entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded or stored, so it is private, instant and works offline at the yard or on site.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate cubic yards?

Convert every dimension to feet, multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27, because a cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 feet. A 12 ft × 12 ft area at 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep is 36 cubic feet, which is 36 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.33 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

Exactly 27. A cubic yard is a cube measuring one yard — three feet — on each side, so 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. That is also why dividing cubic feet by 27 gives cubic yards.

How many cubic yards do I need for 2 inches of mulch?

Multiply your bed's square footage by 2/12 ft to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. For example, 300 sq ft × 0.167 ft = 50 cubic feet ≈ 1.85 cubic yards. Enter your own measurements above and the tool does the conversion for you.

Should I order extra material?

Yes — a 10% allowance is the usual rule of thumb, and the calculator shows that figure automatically. Loose materials settle and compact, ground is rarely perfectly level, and delivery loads are rounded, so slightly over-ordering avoids a second delivery fee.

How much does a cubic yard weigh?

It depends entirely on the material. Dry mulch runs around 400–800 lb per cubic yard, topsoil about 2,000 lb, and gravel or sand roughly 2,600–3,000 lb. Check the weight with your supplier if your truck or trailer has a payload limit.

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