Effortlessly calculate the volume of dirt you need or have in cubic yards. This calculator is essential for landscaping projects, construction, excavation, and any task involving bulk soil, gravel, or sand. Simply input the dimensions of your area, and let the calculator do the rest.
Enter Dimensions
Feet (ft)
Yards (yd)
Inches (in)
Meters (m)
Feet (ft)
Yards (yd)
Inches (in)
Meters (m)
Feet (ft)
Yards (yd)
Inches (in)
Meters (m)
Your Dirt Volume
0.00
Cubic Yards (yd³)
Understanding Cubic Yards and Volume Calculation
Cubic yards are a standard unit of volume, particularly in construction and landscaping, representing a space that is one yard wide, one yard long, and one yard deep. Accurately calculating the volume of dirt, soil, gravel, sand, or other bulk materials is crucial for project planning and cost management. Overestimating can lead to paying for unused material, while underestimating means project delays and additional orders.
The Math Behind the Calculation
The fundamental formula for calculating volume is:
Volume = Length × Width × Depth (or Height)
This calculator first converts all your entered dimensions into a common unit (feet) before multiplying them to find the volume in cubic feet. Finally, it converts cubic feet to cubic yards, as 1 cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet.
Conversion Factors (approximate):
1 Yard = 3 Feet
1 Foot = 12 Inches
1 Meter ≈ 3.281 Feet
Volume in Cubic Feet: (Length in ft) × (Width in ft) × (Depth in ft)
Volume in Cubic Yards: (Volume in Cubic Feet) / 27
When to Use This Calculator
This cubic yard calculator is ideal for a variety of scenarios:
Landscaping: Determining the amount of topsoil, mulch, or decorative gravel needed for garden beds, pathways, or lawn top-dressing.
Construction: Calculating fill material for foundations, trenches, or creating level pads for structures.
Excavation: Estimating the volume of soil to be removed.
Driveways & Patios: Figuring out the quantity of base material (like crushed stone) and surface material (like gravel) required.
Pool Installation: Calculating soil removal or backfill volume.
Tips for Accurate Measurement
For the most accurate results:
Measure consistently. If calculating for a rectangular area, measure the length and width at several points and use the average if the area is uneven.
Measure the depth consistently across the entire area.
When dealing with irregularly shaped areas, try to break them down into simpler geometric shapes (rectangles, triangles) and sum their volumes.
Always consider adding a small buffer (5-10%) to your calculated amount to account for compaction and potential underestimation.
function calculateCubicYards() {
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById("length").value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById("width").value);
var depth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("depth").value);
var lengthUnit = document.getElementById("lengthUnit").value;
var widthUnit = document.getElementById("widthUnit").value;
var depthUnit = document.getElementById("depthUnit").value;
var resultElement = document.getElementById("result");
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(depth) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || depth <= 0) {
resultElement.innerHTML = "Invalid Input";
return;
}
// Conversion factors to feet
var unitConversions = {
"ft": 1,
"yd": 3,
"in": 1/12,
"m": 3.28084
};
// Convert all dimensions to feet
var lengthInFeet = length * unitConversions[lengthUnit];
var widthInFeet = width * unitConversions[widthUnit];
var depthInFeet = depth * unitConversions[depthUnit];
// Calculate volume in cubic feet
var volumeInCubicFeet = lengthInFeet * widthInFeet * depthInFeet;
// Convert cubic feet to cubic yards (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet)
var volumeInCubicYards = volumeInCubicFeet / 27;
// Display the result, rounded to two decimal places
resultElement.innerHTML = volumeInCubicYards.toFixed(2);
}