How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator
- Choose a plan shape.Use Rectangle, Known Area, Circle or Triangle. Divide an irregular site into simpler sections and add their calculated volumes.
- Enter measurements and depth.Imperial uses feet, square feet and inches of depth. Metric uses meters, square meters and centimeters of depth. Triangle height is perpendicular to its base.
- Read the geometric volume.Depth is uniform across the plan. Add an optional allowance and price only when you need them. Changing units preserves the physical estimate.
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is the space inside a cube one yard long, one yard wide and one yard high. Each edge is three feet, so its volume is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
Square feet describe a flat area. To find cubic yards from square feet, multiply the area by depth in feet, then divide by 27. With depth in inches: cubic yards = square feet × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
24 ft × 12 ft × 3 in
First convert depth: 3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft. Then calculate volume: 24 × 12 × 0.25 = 72 ft³. Finally, 72 ÷ 27 = 2.666666… yd³, displayed as 2.67 cubic yards.
The Known Area mode gives the same result from 288 ft² and 3 in depth. With 10% extra, the additional volume is 0.266666… yd³ and the project volume is 2.933333… yd³. The calculator keeps full precision for cost; it does not round an order to 3 yd³.
Cubic yard conversion reference
One yard is exactly 0.9144 meters. Cubing that relationship gives 0.764554857984 m³ per yd³. Display rounding does not change the stored calculation.
Choosing an extra allowance
The default is 0%. If uneven ground, handling or your project specification calls for extra, enter the percentage you choose. Extra = geometric volume × percentage ÷ 100; project volume = geometric volume + extra.
This is a simple addition to volume. It does not predict settlement, shrinkage or compaction. No universal extra percentage is assumed. Optional cost is shown for both geometric and project volume, excluding delivery and tax.
Cubic Yard calculator FAQ
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
Exactly 27. Divide cubic feet by 27 to find cubic yards, or multiply cubic yards by 27 to find cubic feet.
Can I calculate cubic yards from square feet alone?
You also need depth. Use Known Area and enter square feet plus depth in inches. A flat area alone does not specify a volume.
Should I add extra volume?
Use your site measurements and project requirements to decide. An allowance is optional and is shown separately from the exact geometry.
What is the difference between cubic yards and square yards?
Square yards measure area in two dimensions; cubic yards measure volume in three. Multiply area by depth in matching length units to obtain volume.
Does switching units change my estimate or cost?
The stored measurements stay the same. Dimensions, depth and any entered price convert together. USD per cubic yard becomes an equivalent USD per cubic meter, preserving total cost.