Cubic Yards Calculator
CALCWOVEN MATERIAL CALCULATOR
Cubic Yards Calculator
Enter your area and depth to calculate cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters for soil, mulch, gravel or sand. You can also estimate bags, weight and material cost.
Example values are prefilled. Replace them with your project measurements; results update automatically.
Please fix the highlighted field to see your results.
Typical topsoil depth: about 2–4 inches for topping an existing bed.
Optional cost and bags
Answer
- Area—
- Cubic feet—
- Cubic meters—
- Bags needed—
- Estimated weight—
- Estimated cost—
Results update as you type.
Formula for a rectangle: length × width × depth, converted to cubic feet, then divided by 27 for cubic yards.
QUICK GUIDE
What the cubic yards calculator shows
Use the calculator above for landscaping and bulk-material planning. Choose the shape, enter the dimensions and depth, then select your material. The answer includes cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, bag count, an estimated material weight and optional cost.
The default extra-material setting is 0%, so the main result reflects only the measurements you enter. Add 5%, 10% or 15% when you want an allowance for settling, spillage or uneven ground. Buying mulch for garden beds or tree rings? The Mulch Calculator gives cubic yards, bags and weight, with a tree ring option. Ordering gravel by the ton? The Gravel Calculator gives tons for crushed stone, pea gravel, river rock and crusher run. Buying soil for a bed or lawn? The Topsoil Calculator gives cubic yards, tons and bags, with wet and dry weight options. Laying new grass instead? Try the Sod Calculator for rolls, pallets and cost.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED
How to measure for soil, mulch, gravel or sand
- Choose Rectangle, Circle, Triangle or Known area.
- Enter your measurements in imperial or metric units.
- Enter the material depth and choose the material type.
- Select an optional extra-material allowance and, if useful, enter your bag size or price per cubic yard.
- Use the results for cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, bags, estimated weight and cost.
Typical depth by material
- Topsoil or garden soil: about 2–4 inches to top an existing bed; new beds can require more.
- Mulch: about 2–3 inches for many landscape beds.
- Gravel or rock: about 2–4 inches for many paths and decorative areas.
- Sand: depth varies by project; a thin topping layer is often around 1–2 inches.
Depth and material density vary by project and supplier. The weight shown by the calculator is a planning estimate, not a supplier quote. For ordering, confirm the material density, bag volume and recommended depth with your supplier.
QUICK ANSWERS
Common questions
How many bags are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. That is about 13.5 bags at 2 cubic feet each or 9 bags at 3 cubic feet each. Enter the bag volume printed on your product and the calculator rounds up to a whole bag. For the full reference table and worked examples, see how many bags of mulch are in a cubic yard.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. For example, 100 square feet at a 3-inch depth is 100 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = about 0.93 cubic yards before any extra-material allowance. See the full guide at square feet to cubic yards conversion.
Should I order extra material?
Extra material can help cover uneven ground, settling and spillage. Use the 0%, 5%, 10% or 15% selector based on your project and supplier guidance.
How accurate is the weight estimate?
It is a rough planning estimate based on an assumed weight per cubic yard for the selected material. Moisture, stone size, compaction and supplier mix can change the actual weight, so confirm density with your supplier before ordering by weight. For mulch specifically, see how much does a yard of mulch weigh. For gravel by type, use the Gravel Calculator.
Does this calculator know current material prices?
No. Prices vary by location, supplier and season. Enter the price per cubic yard from your supplier to get an estimated material cost.
ALL CALCULATORS
More free calculators for your project
- Mulch Calculator: cubic yards, bags and weight of mulch for beds and tree rings.
- Topsoil Calculator: cubic yards, tons and bags for beds, lawns and raised beds.
- Gravel Calculator: tons and cubic yards of crushed stone, pea gravel, river rock or crusher run.
- River Rock Calculator: tons, cubic yards, bags and cost of river rock for beds, borders and dry creeks.
- Sand Calculator: cubic yards, tons and 50 lb bags of sand for paver bedding, play areas and general fill.
- Sod Calculator: rolls, pallets and cost for a new lawn.
- Grass Seed Calculator: pounds of seed and bags for a new lawn or overseeding.
- Paver Calculator: pavers for a patio, walkway or driveway, with base and bedding sand.
- Paver Base Calculator: compacted base in cubic yards, tons and bags for patios, walkways and driveways.
- Fence Calculator: posts and panels for a straight run or a yard perimeter.
- Concrete Calculator: cubic yards and bag counts for slabs, footings, walls and stairs.
- Gravel Driveway Calculator: tons, cubic yards and truckloads for a layered gravel driveway.
- Crushed Stone Calculator: tons, cubic yards and coverage for #57, #67, #3/#4 stone and crusher run.
- Asphalt Driveway Calculator: tons and cubic yards of asphalt for a driveway, with cost.
- Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator: convert cubic yards to tons, or back, by material.
- Fill Dirt Calculator: cubic yards, tons and truckloads of fill dirt.
- Retaining Wall Calculator: blocks, cap blocks and gravel for a retaining wall.
- Deck Footing Calculator: footings, concrete volume and bags for a simple deck.
- Board Foot Calculator: board feet and cost for lumber.
You can also browse every tool on the All Calculators page, or read the Guides for formulas and reference numbers.
READY TO MEASURE
Get your cubic yards in seconds.
Jump back to the calculator and enter your area, depth and material. Need rolls of sod instead? Try the Sod Calculator. More guides are in our Guides section.
This calculator gives a general estimate based on the measurements you enter. Actual material needs can vary with ground slope, compaction and supplier measurement. Results are for reference only.