Cubic Yards Calculator

Volume Calculator

Square
Rectangle
Rectangle Border
Circle
Circle Border
Annulus
Triangle
Trapezoid
Optional Cost Calculation
Shape Diagram

Select a shape to see diagram

Use this cubic yard calculator to quickly find the volume of landscape materials like mulch, topsoil, fill dirt, gravel, crushed stone, and concrete. Enter your dimensions in US units (inches, feet, yards) or metric units (centimeters, meters) to instantly convert to cubic yards (yd³), cubic feet (ft³), and cubic meters (m³). You can also estimate total material cost by entering a price per cubic yard, per cubic foot, or per cubic meter.

The calculator supports common project shapes—square, rectangle, rectangle border, circle, circle border, annulus/ring, triangle, and trapezoid—so you can model garden beds, driveways, paths, pads, posts, or circular features with precision. Just select a shape, enter your measurements, and the cubic yard calculator handles the math and unit conversions automatically.

Enter measurements in inches (in), feet (ft), yards (yd), centimeters (cm), or meters (m). Decimals are supported. Examples: 7′ 3″ is 7.25 ft (because 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25); 245 cm is 2.45 m. If you only know an area in square feet, you can still compute cubic yards: choose Rectangle, put your square feet in Length, set Width to 1, enter desired Depth, and click Calculate.

How This Cubic Yard Calculator Works (Step-by-Step)

1) Measure

  • Measure the plan dimensions of your area (e.g., length and width, or diameter).
  • Decide the depth (thickness) of material you’ll place — mulch is often 2–3 in (0.17–0.25 ft), gravel bases are commonly 4–6 in (0.33–0.5 ft), etc.

2) Convert to Feet (if needed)

  • If your inputs are already in feet, skip conversion.
  • Feet & inches → convert inches to feet and add to feet (e.g., 7′3″ → 7 + 3/12 = 7.25 ft).
  • Inches only → divide by 12 (e.g., 18 in → 1.5 ft).
  • Metric: cm ÷ 30.48 = ft, m × 3.28084 = ft.

3) Calculate Volume

  • Compute area based on the selected shape (formulas below).
  • Compute volume (ft³) = area (ft²) × depth (ft).
  • Convert to cubic yards (yd³) by dividing by 27 (since 1 yd³ = 27 ft³).
  • Need metric? Convert ft³ to m³ using m³ = ft³ ÷ 35.3146667.

4) Optional Cost

  • Enter a price per yd³, ft³, or m³ and the calculator multiplies by the volume.
  • Use Quantity to scale up if you’re filling multiple identical areas (e.g., 6 tree rings).

Cubic Yards Formulas and Area Calculations

Square Area

Side Length

Using measurements in feet:

Area (ft²) = Side × Side = s²

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27

Use this for square pads, sandbox bases, or square garden beds.

Rectangle Area

Length Width

Using measurements in feet:

Area (ft²) = Length × Width

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27

Ideal for lawns, parking pads, rectangular flower beds, or driveways.

Rectangle Border Area

Border Width

Using measurements in feet:

Inner Area (ft²) = Lin × Win

Total Area (ft²) = (Lin + 2b) × (Win + 2b)

Border Area (ft²) = Total Area − Inner Area

Then compute volume and convert to yd³ as above.

Use for planter rings around patios, stepping-stone borders, etc.

Circle Area

Diameter

Using measurements in feet:

Area (ft²) = π × (Diameter ÷ 2)²

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27

Use for circular fire pits, tree rings, round pads, and circular flower beds.

Circle Border Area

Border Width

Using measurements in feet:

Outer Diameter = Inner Diameter + (2 × Border Width)

Outer Area = π × (Outer Diameter ÷ 2)²

Inner Area = π × (Inner Diameter ÷ 2)²

Ring Area = Outer Area − Inner Area

Then compute volume and convert to yd³ as above.

Great for edging rings around trees, posts, and round features.

Annulus (Ring) Area

Outer Diameter Inner Diameter

Using measurements in feet:

Outer Area = π × (Do ÷ 2)²

Inner Area = π × (Di ÷ 2)²

Ring Area = Outer Area − Inner Area

Then compute volume and convert to yd³ as above.

Useful for donut-shaped beds or rings with specific inner and outer diameters.

Triangle Area

a b c

Using measurements in feet (Heron's Formula):

s = (a + b + c) ÷ 2

Area (ft²) = √[ s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c) ]

Then compute volume and convert to yd³ as above.

Great for triangular beds and corners. Ensure a + b > c, b + c > a, c + a > b.

Trapezoid Area

a b h

Using measurements in feet:

Area (ft²) = ((a + b) ÷ 2) × h

Then compute volume and convert to yd³ as above.

Common for sloped beds, tapered paths, or irregular edges approximated as trapezoids.

Frequently Asked Questions (Cubic Yard Calculator)

What is a cubic yard and why is it used?

A cubic yard (yd³) measures volume equal to a cube 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft (27 ft³). Suppliers for mulch, gravel, soil, and concrete typically price by cubic yard, which is why estimating cubic yards helps you budget accurately.

How does this cubic yard calculator handle units?

You can enter each dimension in in, ft, yd, cm, or m. The calculator converts everything to feet internally, computes area and volume in ft³, then converts to yd³ (÷27) and m³ (÷35.3146667). You’ll see all three results.

What depth should I use for mulch, gravel, or soil?

Typical mulch is 2–3 inches (0.17–0.25 ft). Gravel base layers are often 4–6 inches (0.33–0.5 ft). Garden soil depths vary by plant type—check your project needs and enter the depth in the calculator.

Can I estimate cost with this tool?

Yes. Enter your material price per cubic yard, cubic foot, or cubic meter. The calculator multiplies the volume by your price. Increase Quantity if you’re buying for multiple identical areas.

Do I need to convert feet and inches manually?

You can either type decimal feet (e.g., 7.25 ft for 7′3″) or switch the unit to inches and enter 87 in. The cubic yard calculator handles the conversion.

Examples

Rectangle bed: 20 ft × 6 ft × 0.25 ft depth → Area = 120 ft², Volume = 30 ft³ = 1.11 yd³.

Circle ring: Outer Ø 10 ft, inner Ø 2 ft, depth 0.33 ft → Ring area = π(5² − 1²) = 75.40 ft², Volume ≈ 24.88 ft³ = 0.92 yd³.