How to calculate cubic yards
Multiply length × width × depth, with all three in feet, to get cubic feet, then divide by 27, because a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 12 × 10 ft bed filled 4 inches deep is 12 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 40 cubic feet, or about 1.48 cubic yards.
Formula
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft)
Worked example
12 ft × 10 ft, 4 in deep
- Find the area: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft.
- Convert the depth to feet: 4 in ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Multiply by the depth: 120 sq ft × 0.333 ft = 40 cubic feet.
- Divide by 27: 40 ÷ 27 = 1.48 cubic yards.
Measuring in inches, yards or meters
Convert every measurement to feet before you multiply: divide inches by 12, multiply yards by 3, and divide meters by 0.3048. Depth is usually measured in inches, so 4 inches becomes 4 ÷ 12 = 0.33 ft. The calculator does this for you when you pick the unit next to each box.
If the area is not a rectangle, split it into rectangles, circles and triangles, work out each part, and add the cubic yards together.
How deep should the material be?
The right depth depends on the job. These are the depths that work for most residential projects; the table under it shows how far a cubic yard goes at each one.
Cubic yards by depth
How far one cubic yard spreads, and how much you need for every 100 square feet, at common depths.
Bags or bulk?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: 27 one-cubic-foot bags, 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet, 13½ bags of 2 cubic feet or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet. The calculator shows the bag count for your result. Bulk material is delivered loose by the cubic yard, with no bags to carry and open.
Bagged soil and mulch are sold by the cubic foot. Divide 27 by the bag size to see how many bags make a cubic yard.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
How many yards of dirt do I need?
Measure the length and width of the area in feet and choose a depth. Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27. A 20 × 30 ft area filled 6 inches deep is 20 × 30 × 0.5 = 300 cubic feet, or 11.1 cubic yards.
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches and 81 at 4 inches. For any depth, divide 324 by the depth in inches.
Should I order extra?
Most projects need a little more than the measurement, for uneven ground, settling and spills, so we recommend 5–10% extra. Choose 5% or 10% under the inputs and the calculator adds it to the result.
Is fill dirt calculated differently?
The volume is the same, but loose fill shrinks when it is compacted, so you need more loose cubic yards than the space measures. The fill dirt calculator adds a compaction allowance.
Order by the cubic yard
Soil Direct delivers bulk landscape materials by the cubic yard from local suppliers. Enter your address to see delivered prices.
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