Cubic yard calculator
Cubic yards
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Cubic feet
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Cubic meters
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Pouring concrete? The concrete calculator adds bag counts, waste and cost.
Short answer
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Convert depth from inches by dividing by 12. Example: a 10 × 20 ft bed 3 inches deep is 10 × 20 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards.
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3 ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | ≈ 0.765 cubic meters |
| Coverage at 2 in deep | 162 sq ft per cubic yard |
| Coverage at 3 in deep | 108 sq ft per cubic yard |
| Coverage at 4 in deep | 81 sq ft per cubic yard |
Common examples
| Project | Cubic yards |
|---|---|
| Concrete patio, 10 × 10 ft, 4 in | 1.23 |
| Gravel base, 16 × 40 ft driveway, 4 in | 7.90 |
| Mulch bed, 10 × 20 ft, 3 in | 1.85 |
| Topsoil, 20 × 30 ft lawn, 2 in | 3.70 |
| Concrete slab, 24 × 24 ft garage, 6 in | 10.67 |
Ordering tips
- Round up. Suppliers usually sell in half or quarter yards, and running short costs more than a little extra.
- Add 5–10% for concrete and gravel to cover uneven ground and compaction.
- Concrete is priced per cubic yard: ConcreteNetwork reports $160–$195 or more for ready-mix.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
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Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27. For 200 sq ft at 3 inches: 200 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
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At 2 inches deep, 162 sq ft; at 3 inches, 108 sq ft; at 4 inches, 81 sq ft; at 6 inches, 54 sq ft.
How do I calculate cubic yards for a circle?
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Area = π × radius² (in feet). Multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27. A 10 ft circle 4 inches deep is 78.5 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 0.97 cubic yards.
Sources
- [1]ConcreteNetwork.com, Concrete Prices (updated July 14, 2026)
- [2]QUIKRETE, Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet (bag yields) (current data sheet)
Prices are national ranges published by the sources above, not quotes. Your price depends on size, access, site preparation and local labor rates. The only way to know is to compare written quotes.