Fill volume · bulk yards · whole bags
Cubic Yard Calculator
Plan soil, mulch, gravel, or concrete by volume. Measure dimensions, use a known area and depth, or convert a volume you already have. Add buying details when you need bags, weight, or material cost.
Worked example
- Measured area
- 108 sq ft
- Fill volume
- 27 cu ft
- With 2 cu ft bags, no allowance
- 14 bags
Example only. Measurements, product details, and prices are not prefilled from this example.
Your result
Know how many yards you need
Enter dimensions, an area and depth, or a known volume. Your measured volume and optional buying estimates will appear here.
Suggest an improvement
Measure first
Use the actual space and fill depth.
For garden beds and patios, measure the surface and the thickness to fill. For holes, use the inside diameter and depth. Add non-overlapping sections, or subtract a void from a larger included volume.
Rectangle
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27.
Circle or triangle
Find the footprint area using diameter, or base and perpendicular height. Multiply by depth, then divide cubic feet by 27.
Known area
Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. Different sections can have different depths.
Volume conversions
1 cu yd = 27 cu ft = 0.764554857984 m³. Length and volume units are converted before calculations.
From measurement to purchase
A 12 × 9 ft area at 3 in deep needs 27 cu ft, or 1 cu yd. Choosing 10% extra gives 1.1 cu yd. A supplier selling in 0.25 cu yd increments would supply 1.25 cu yd. Independently, 2 cu ft bags would require 15 whole bags for the 1.1 cu yd target.
FAQ
Cubic yard questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Convert all dimensions to feet. Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. If depth is in inches, divide it by 12 first. A 12 × 9 ft area filled 3 inches deep needs 1 cubic yard.
Can I use an area I already measured?
Yes. Choose Known area × depth for that section. Enter area in square feet, square yards, or square meters, then enter depth separately. Use only net area if you have already deducted obstacles.
How do I measure a circular or triangular space?
A circular section uses π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth. A triangular section uses base × perpendicular height ÷ 2 × depth. Use Identical sections for multiple holes with the same dimensions.
What if depth varies?
Split uneven spaces into smaller sections with representative depths. An average depth is an approximation; this tool does not model slopes, excavation sidewalls, or changes in cross-section.
Does the result include compaction or settling?
No. Net volume is geometric fill volume. Loose, compacted, wet, and settled materials can occupy different volumes. Ask your supplier about the material you are ordering; use a deliberate extra allowance if appropriate.
How many bags are in a cubic yard?
It depends on the labeled volume or finished yield per bag. With 2 cu ft bags, 27 ÷ 2 = 13.5, so buy 14 bags before any allowance. For mixed concrete, use finished yield from the product label, not the bag weight.
How do bulk ordering increments work?
Enter your supplier’s increment in cubic yards, such as 0.25. Bulk quantity is rounded up after exclusions and extra allowance. Bag counts are rounded independently and do not use the rounded bulk quantity.
Can I convert cubic yards to tons?
Only with a material density. Enter a supplier-provided density in US tons/cu yd, lb/cu ft, or kg/m³. Weight is estimated from bulk planning quantity. One US short ton is 2,000 lb; it is different from a metric tonne.
What does material cost include?
Only your entered unit prices multiplied by bulk quantity or whole bags. Delivery, tax, labor, minimum orders, and short-load fees are excluded. The tool does not automatically choose the cheaper purchasing method.
References
Check units and product yield.
Home Depot mulch and soil calculator
Measure length, width, and depth, or enter an existing area and depth.
View material calculator ↗QUIKRETE product calculators
Bag counts depend on the chosen product and its finished yield.
View product guidance ↗NIST unit conversion reference
Conversions use 1 international foot = 0.3048 meter exactly.
View conversion reference ↗