Cubic Yard Calculator
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). Enter your area and depth — depth is in inches because most jobs are measured that way — and get the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet.
Updated · How we calculate
Your measurements
Cubic yards
3.7 yd³
Conversions
- Cubic feet
- 100 ft³
- Cubic meters
- 2.83 m³
Estimates only. Verify against your supplier's coverage figures before ordering.
Footprint
Footprint to scale
Dimensions
- Surface area
- 200 ft²
- Depth
- 6 in
Cubic yards for common areas and depths
| Area | Size | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 area | 10 × 10 ft, 4 in deep | 1.23 yd³ |
| 10 × 10 area, deeper | 10 × 10 ft, 6 in deep | 1.85 yd³ |
| 12 × 12 area | 12 × 12 ft, 4 in deep | 1.78 yd³ |
| 20 × 20 area | 20 × 20 ft, 4 in deep | 4.94 yd³ |
| 20 × 20 area, deeper | 20 × 20 ft, 6 in deep | 7.41 yd³ |
| 24 × 24 area | 24 × 24 ft, 4 in deep | 7.11 yd³ |
| 30 × 40 area | 40 × 30 ft, 4 in deep | 14.81 yd³ |
| 50 × 100 area | 100 × 50 ft, 3 in deep | 46.3 yd³ |
Figures use this calculator's default settings; tap one above the inputs to load it and adjust.
The formula
Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27
Example: 20 ft × 10 ft area at 6 in deep = 20 × 10 × 0.5 = 100 ft³ → 100 ÷ 27 = 3.70 yd³.
How it works
- 1Convert depth from inches to feet by dividing by 12.
- 2Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet.
- 3Divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
Exactly 27. A cubic yard measures 3 ft on each side, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 ft³.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth, all in feet, to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. For a depth in inches, divide it by 12 first. A 10 ft × 10 ft area 4 inches deep is 10 × 10 × 0.333 = 33.3 ft³, or 1.23 cubic yards.
How much area does one cubic yard cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 ft² at 1 inch deep, 162 ft² at 2 inches, 108 ft² at 3 inches, 81 ft² at 4 inches and 54 ft² at 6 inches.
How many cubic yards does a truck hold?
A full-size pickup bed holds roughly 2 cubic yards by volume, but weight limits it to about 1 cubic yard of soil or gravel. A standard dump truck carries about 10 to 14 cubic yards. Check the payload rating before loading heavy material.