Cubic Yards Calculator – Guide & Formulas
Calculate the total volume of concrete, soil, mulch, or gravel needed in cubic yards. Includes standard dimensional conversions.
Calculate how much bulk material (soil, gravel, mulch, concrete, stone) you need for landscaping or construction. Converts measurements in feet or inches directly to cubic yards.
Key Takeaway
Use the free Cubic Yards Calculator to calculate the total volume of concrete, soil, mulch, or gravel needed in cubic yards. includes standard dimensional conversions. Get instant results with step-by-step explanations.
How to Use the Cubic Yards Calculator
- Enter the length, width, and depth of the target fill area.
- Select the measurement units for each input field (feet, inches, or yards).
- Review the calculated cubic yards, weight approximations, and estimated cost.
The Formula
Variable Definitions
- V_yards: Volume in cubic yards
- 27: The number of cubic feet in a single cubic yard (3 x 3 x 3)
Ordering Topsoil for a Garden Bed
You are planning a raised garden bed that is 15 feet long, 8 feet wide, and needs to be filled 6 inches deep with soil. How many cubic yards do you need?
- Step 1: Convert depth to feet: 6 inches = 0.5 feet.
- Step 2: Calculate volume in cubic feet: 15 × 8 × 0.5 = 60 cubic feet.
- Step 3: Convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27: 60 / 27 ≈ 2.22 cubic yards.
- Step 4: Order roughly 2.25 to 2.5 cubic yards to account for compression and packing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I divide by 27 to get cubic yards?
Because a cubic yard is a cube that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet deep. 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
How much weight is in a cubic yard of topsoil?
A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs around 2,000 to 2,200 pounds (approx. 1 ton), whereas wet soil can weigh up to 3,000 pounds.
How many bags of mulch equal one cubic yard?
Standard bags of mulch are typically 2 cubic feet. Since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, it takes 13.5 bags of mulch to equal one cubic yard.