Cubic yard calculator
Cubic yards = length × width × depth in feet ÷ 27. A 10 ft by 10 ft area 3 inches deep holds 25 cubic feet, or 0.93 cubic yards; ordered by the half yard, that is 1 cubic yard. Choose a material to see the weight in tons.
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A 10 ft by 10 ft area covered 3 inches deep needs 0.93 cubic yards.
- Cubic yards
- 0.93
- Cubic feet
- 25
- Rounded up to the next half yard
- 1 yd³
How it is calculated
- Area = 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 sq ft.
- Volume = 100 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 12 = 25 cu ft.
- Cubic yards = 25 ÷ 27 = 0.926 yd³.
How to calculate cubic yards
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: a cube 3 ft on each side. The worked numbers use the calculator's defaults: 10 ft by 10 ft, 3 inches deep.
Step 1: area in square feet
Rectangle: length × width
Circle: π × diameter² ÷ 4
Triangle: base × height ÷ 2
Example 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 sq ft
Split an irregular area into rectangles, circles and triangles and add their areas.
Step 2: cubic feet from area and depth
Cubic feet = area in sq ft × depth in inches ÷ 12
Example 100 × 3 ÷ 12 = 25 cu ft
Step 3: cubic yards from cubic feet
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Example 25 ÷ 27 = 0.926 yd³
Step 4: tons for a material sold by weight
Tons = cubic yards × pounds per cubic yard ÷ 2,000
Example Gravel at 2,565 lb per loose cubic yard (Seattle Public Utilities): 0.926 × 2,565 ÷ 2,000 = 1.19 tons
Cubic feet to cubic yards
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.037 |
| 5 | 0.185 |
| 10 | 0.37 |
| 25 | 0.926 |
| 27 | 1 |
| 50 | 1.852 |
| 100 | 3.704 |
| 250 | 9.259 |
| 500 | 18.519 |
| 1,000 | 37.037 |
Cubic yards to tons
Bulk stone, sand and soil are often sold by the ton. The weight of a cubic yard depends on the material, its moisture and how tightly it is packed, so the calculator converts with the published weight of the material you choose and shows the published range. Ask the supplier for the weight per yard of their own material before ordering.