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Cubic Yard Calculator

Convert volume units and estimate materials for construction and landscaping with waste and compaction adjustments.

Cubic Yard Calculator 📐

Project Shape

Rectangle or square area (length × width × depth)

Dimensions
Material Settings

Ready-mix concrete for foundations, slabs, and structural work

Volume Results

Volume Calculation

Basic Volume
22.22 yd³
600.0 ft³
Actual Needed
23.33 yd³
Including waste & compaction

📏 Volume Conversions

Cubic Yards22.22
Cubic Feet600.0
Cubic Meters16.99
Cubic Inches1036800.0

🚛 Material Requirements

Bags Needed
1050
Truck Loads
3
Weight (tons)
42.82
Total Cost
$2,333.33

📊 Project Analysis

Surface Area:100.0 sq ft
Perimeter:40.00 ft

💡 Recommendations

  • • Large project - bulk delivery will be more cost-effective
  • • Order concrete delivery for volumes over 1 cubic yard
  • • Have adequate crew for quick placement - concrete sets fast
  • • Always order 5-10% extra material to account for variations

🔧 Material Tips

  • • Wastage factor: 5% - accounts for spillage and over-excavation
  • • Compaction factor: 1 - material settles after placement
  • • Concrete should be placed within 90 minutes of mixing
  • • Use proper reinforcement for structural applications

Volume Conversion Guide

Quick Conversion Reference

1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.765 m³

🇺🇸 US Imperial Units

  • • Cubic Yard: Standard for bulk materials
  • • Cubic Foot: Common for smaller quantities
  • • Cubic Inch: Precision measurements
  • • Best for: Construction, landscaping in US

🌍 Metric Units

  • • Cubic Meter: International standard
  • • Liter: Smaller volumes (1000L = 1m³)
  • • Cubic Centimeter: Very small volumes
  • • Best for: International projects, engineering

📏 Common Conversions

  • • 1 yd³ = 27 ft³
  • • 1 yd³ = 0.765 m³
  • • 1 m³ = 1.308 yd³
  • • 1 ft³ = 0.037 yd³
  • • 1 ft³ = 0.028 m³

💡 Conversion Tips

  • • Always convert to same units before calculating
  • • Double-check unit labels in results
  • • Use calculator for accuracy
  • • Round up for material orders

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

Basic Formula

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Height in feet) ÷ 27

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. 1
    Measure your project area

    Length, width, and depth/thickness in any unit

  2. 2
    Convert all measurements to feet

    Inches ÷ 12, Yards × 3, Meters × 3.28

  3. 3
    Calculate volume in cubic feet

    Multiply length × width × height

  4. 4
    Convert to cubic yards

    Divide cubic feet by 27

  5. 5
    Add waste allowance

    Add 5-15% depending on material and project complexity

Material Calculation Guide

🏗️ Concrete Projects

Ready-mix concrete for foundations, slabs, and structural work

  • • Typical depth: 4-6 inches for slabs, 8+ inches for foundations
  • • Waste factor: 5% for simple projects, 10% for complex shapes
  • • Cost range: $100-150 per cubic yard delivered
  • • Coverage: 1 cubic yard covers 81 sq ft at 4" thick

🌱 Soil & Dirt

Topsoil for gardening, landscaping, and fill applications

  • • Typical depth: 2-6 inches for lawns, 12+ inches for gardens
  • • Compaction factor: 0.8 (settles 20%)
  • • Cost range: $25-50 per cubic yard
  • • Coverage: 1 cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2" thick

🗻 Gravel & Stone

Crushed stone for driveways, drainage, and base material

  • • Typical depth: 2-4 inches for driveways, 6+ inches for heavy loads
  • • Compaction factor: 0.9 (settles 10%)
  • • Cost range: $35-60 per cubic yard
  • • Coverage: 1 cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3" thick

🏖️ Sand

Construction sand for concrete, mortar, and base applications

  • • Typical depth: 1-2 inches for pavers, 2-4 inches for play areas
  • • Compaction factor: 0.85 (settles 15%)
  • • Cost range: $30-45 per cubic yard
  • • Coverage: 1 cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2" thick

🌿 Mulch

Organic ground cover for gardens and landscaping

  • • Typical depth: 2-4 inches for optimal benefits
  • • Compaction factor: 0.7 (settles 30%)
  • • Cost range: $20-40 per cubic yard
  • • Coverage: 1 cubic yard covers 108 sq ft at 3" thick

Important Considerations

Accuracy Notice

Calculations are estimates. Always verify measurements and consult with suppliers for exact requirements.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

  • • Mixing different units in calculations
  • • Forgetting to account for waste/spillage
  • • Not considering material compaction
  • • Underestimating irregular shapes

✅ Best Practices

  • • Measure twice, order once
  • • Always round up for material orders
  • • Factor in access and delivery constraints
  • • Get multiple supplier quotes

📋 Project Planning

  • • Plan for weather delays
  • • Arrange proper equipment/tools
  • • Coordinate delivery timing
  • • Have backup material sources

💰 Cost Optimization

  • • Bulk delivery vs. multiple trips
  • • Seasonal price variations
  • • Group orders with neighbors
  • • Consider material alternatives

Example Calculations

Example 1: Concrete Patio

Project:
• 12ft × 16ft patio
• 4 inches thick
• Rectangular shape
• Ready-mix concrete
Calculation:
• Volume: 12 × 16 × 0.33 = 63.4 ft³
• Cubic yards: 63.4 ÷ 27 = 2.35 yd³
• With 5% waste: 2.47 yd³
• Order: 2.5 cubic yards

Cost estimate: 2.5 yd³ × $120 = $300 for materials

Example 2: Garden Soil

Project:
• 20ft × 30ft garden bed
• 6 inches deep
• Quality topsoil
• Rectangular area
Calculation:
• Volume: 20 × 30 × 0.5 = 300 ft³
• Cubic yards: 300 ÷ 27 = 11.1 yd³
• With 10% waste + 20% settling: 14.5 yd³
• Order: 15 cubic yards

Cost estimate: 15 yd³ × $35 = $525 for materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cubic yard and how is it calculated?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 1 yard (3 feet) on each side. It equals 27 cubic feet or 0.765 cubic meters. To calculate cubic yards: multiply length × width × height in feet, then divide by 27. For example, a 9×12×6 inch concrete slab = 54 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2 cubic yards.
How much concrete do I need for my project?
Calculate the volume of your project area in cubic yards, then add 5-10% for waste. For a 10×10 foot patio 4 inches thick: 10×10×0.33 = 33 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 1.22 cubic yards. Order 1.3-1.4 cubic yards to account for waste. Our calculator automatically includes recommended waste factors.
How do I calculate soil needed for landscaping?
Measure the area length and width, then determine desired soil depth. For raised beds, use the full depth. For lawn top-dressing, use 0.5-1 inch. Example: 20×30 foot garden with 6-inch depth = 20×30×0.5 = 300 cubic feet = 11.1 cubic yards. Add 10-15% extra for settling and compaction.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Measure driveway length and width, use 2-4 inch depth for gravel. For a 12×50 foot driveway with 3-inch gravel: 12×50×0.25 = 150 cubic feet = 5.56 cubic yards. Choose angular gravel for better compaction. Add 5% waste factor for gravel projects.
How accurate are the cost estimations?
Our cost estimates use typical regional averages and should be used for budgeting purposes. Actual costs vary by location, supplier, quality, and market conditions. Always get quotes from local suppliers for accurate pricing. The calculator helps compare bulk vs. bagged material costs.
How do I convert between different volume units?
Use our built-in conversion table: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.765 cubic meters = 46,656 cubic inches. The calculator automatically converts between all units. For international projects, cubic meters are standard; for US construction, cubic yards are most common.

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