Cubic Yard Calculator

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Cubic Yard Calculator
Rectangular Area (Length x Width)Circular Area (Radius)
Results:
Enter values to see results.
function toggleInputs(){var type=document.getElementById('calc_type').value;var label1=document.getElementById('label1');var label2=document.getElementById('label2');var row2=document.getElementById('row2′);if(type==='circle'){label1.innerHTML='Radius (Feet):';row2.style.display='none';}else{label1.innerHTML='Length (Feet):';label2.innerHTML='Width (Feet):';row2.style.display='table-row';}}function calculateResult(){var type=document.getElementById('calc_type').value;var v1=parseFloat(document.getElementById('input1').value);var v2=parseFloat(document.getElementById('input2').value);var v3=parseFloat(document.getElementById('input3').value);var showSteps=document.getElementById('steps').checked;var ans=document.getElementById('answer');if(isNaN(v1)||isNaN(v3)||(type==='rect'&&isNaN(v2))){ans.innerHTML='Please enter valid numeric values.';return;}var area_sq_ft=0;var volume_cu_ft=0;var cubic_yards=0;var stepsHtml=";if(type==='rect'){area_sq_ft=v1*v2;volume_cu_ft=area_sq_ft*(v3/12);cubic_yards=volume_cu_ft/27;if(showSteps){stepsHtml='
Steps:
1. Area = '+v1+' ft × '+v2+' ft = '+area_sq_ft.toFixed(2)+' sq ft
2. Convert Depth to feet: '+v3+' in / 12 = '+(v3/12).toFixed(4)+' ft
3. Volume (ft³) = '+area_sq_ft.toFixed(2)+' × '+(v3/12).toFixed(4)+' = '+volume_cu_ft.toFixed(4)+' ft³
4. Cubic Yards = '+volume_cu_ft.toFixed(4)+' / 27 = '+cubic_yards.toFixed(4)+' yd³
';}}else{area_sq_ft=Math.PI*Math.pow(v1,2);volume_cu_ft=area_sq_ft*(v3/12);cubic_yards=volume_cu_ft/27;if(showSteps){stepsHtml='
Steps:
1. Area = π × '+v1+'² = '+area_sq_ft.toFixed(2)+' sq ft
2. Convert Depth to feet: '+v3+' in / 12 = '+(v3/12).toFixed(4)+' ft
3. Volume (ft³) = '+area_sq_ft.toFixed(2)+' × '+(v3/12).toFixed(4)+' = '+volume_cu_ft.toFixed(4)+' ft³
4. Cubic Yards = '+volume_cu_ft.toFixed(4)+' / 27 = '+cubic_yards.toFixed(4)+' yd³
';}}ans.innerHTML='
'+cubic_yards.toFixed(2)+' Cubic Yards
'+volume_cu_ft.toFixed(2)+' Cubic Feet | '+area_sq_ft.toFixed(2)+' Square Feet
'+stepsHtml;}

Calculator Use

The cubic yard calculator is an essential tool for homeowners, landscapers, and contractors. Whether you are ordering topsoil, gravel, mulch, or concrete, knowing exactly how many cubic yards you need is critical to staying on budget and avoiding multiple delivery fees. This tool allows you to calculate volume for both rectangular and circular project areas.

Simply enter your measurements in feet for length and width (or radius), and inches for your desired depth. The calculator automatically converts these units to provide a final result in cubic yards.

Length / Radius
The horizontal distance of the project area measured in feet.
Width
The vertical distance of a rectangular area measured in feet.
Depth
How "thick" the material will be. Most landscaping projects use 2 to 4 inches of material.

How It Works

To calculate cubic yards manually, you must first determine the volume in cubic feet and then convert that figure. One cubic yard is a cube that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet tall, totaling 27 cubic feet. The formula used by the cubic yard calculator is:

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × (Depth / 12)) / 27

  • Step 1: Multiply length by width to get square footage.
  • Step 2: Divide the depth in inches by 12 to convert it to feet.
  • Step 3: Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet to get cubic feet.
  • Step 4: Divide the total cubic feet by 27.

Calculation Example

Example: You are building a raised garden bed that is 12 feet long, 4 feet wide, and you want to fill it with 6 inches of soil.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Length = 12 ft, Width = 4 ft, Depth = 6 in
  2. Area = 12 × 4 = 48 sq ft
  3. Depth in feet = 6 / 12 = 0.5 ft
  4. Volume in cubic feet = 48 × 0.5 = 24 cu ft
  5. Cubic Yards = 24 / 27 = 0.89 cubic yards

Common Questions

How much does 1 cubic yard cover?

One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 81 square feet at 4 inches deep. Always round up your order to account for compaction and uneven subgrades.

Is it cheaper to buy bags or bulk?

Bulk is almost always cheaper for large projects. Standard bags of mulch are usually 2 cubic feet. Since there are 27 cubic feet in a yard, you would need 13.5 bags to equal one cubic yard. Bulk prices are typically 30% to 50% lower than the equivalent cost in bags, though delivery fees apply.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?

A cubic yard of dry gravel typically weighs between 2,400 and 2,900 pounds, or roughly 1.2 to 1.5 tons. Dirt and mulch are lighter, with mulch weighing about 400-800 lbs per yard and topsoil weighing around 2,000 lbs per yard.

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