Cubic yard calculator
Enter the size of the space and how deep to fill it. You get cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic metres. Choose Known area if you already have square feet.
Figures last reviewed October 2026. See sources.
Depth: typical ranges
These are common ranges, not requirements. Your soil, climate, and local rules may call for something different.
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Mulch | 2 to 3 in |
| New lawn topsoil | 4 to 6 in |
| Gravel path | 2 to 4 in |
| Concrete slab or patio | About 4 in |
How this is calculated
A cubic yard is a cube three feet on each side, which is 27 cubic feet. To find cubic yards, multiply length times width times depth, all in feet, and divide by 27. If your depth is in inches, divide it by 12 first.
This calculator starts with no extra material added, so the answer is the exact volume. Open the advanced options to add an allowance for waste or settling. For a specific material, the pages for mulch, topsoil, gravel, sand, concrete, and fill dirt add typical allowances and weights.
Example: a 20 ft by 10 ft area at 3 inches deep, with 0% extra, needs about 1.85 cubic yards (50.0 cubic feet).
How far does one cubic yard go?
Area covered by one cubic yard at different depths, before any extra material.
| Depth | Square feet covered |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
| 6 in | 54 |
| 12 in | 27 |
Quick reference: common sizes
Amount needed in cubic yards, including the default 0% extra. Use the calculator above for your exact size.
| Area | 2 in deep | 4 in deep |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.62 | 1.23 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.23 | 2.47 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 2.47 | 4.94 |
| 20 × 30 ft | 3.70 | 7.41 |
| 30 × 30 ft | 5.56 | 11.11 |
Common questions
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply the square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. For example, 1,000 square feet at 3 inches deep is 1,000 times 0.25 equals 250 cubic feet, which is about 9.26 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.
What is the difference between square yards and cubic yards?
Square yards measure flat area. Cubic yards measure volume, so they include depth. Materials like mulch, soil, and gravel are ordered in cubic yards, which is a common point of confusion.
How much area does one cubic yard cover?
It depends on depth: about 324 square feet at 1 inch, 108 square feet at 3 inches, and 54 square feet at 6 inches.
Should I order extra?
Most people add an allowance for uneven ground, settling, and spillage. Many calculators use 5 to 10 percent. Set it under the advanced options.
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