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Tool: Cubic Yard Calculator — Yards, Feet & Metric Volume | Printed on:
Cubic Yard Calculator — Yards, Feet & Metric Volume
Convert length, width, and depth into cubic yards, cubic feet, liters, and cubic meters.
Project Specifications
Universal Cubic Yard Formula
Transparent mathematical methodology explained in plain English.
Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) / 27 Divide volume in cubic feet by 27 to obtain cubic yards. 1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
Variables Explained:
- 1 Cubic Yard: A 3D cube measuring 3 feet (1 yard) on all sides = 27 cu ft = 0.7646 m³.
Excavation Trench: 45 ft Long, 2 ft Wide, 18 in Deep
Calculating soil volume for a utility trench.
- Calculate cubic feet: 45 × 2 × 1.5 = 135 cubic feet.
- Convert to cubic yards: 135 ÷ 27 = 5.0 cubic yards.
- In cubic meters: 5.0 × 0.7646 = 3.82 m³.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cubic Yard Calculator
Click any question below to expand quick answers, formulas, and expert tips.
How do you calculate cubic yards from length, width, and depth?
Multiply length (feet) × width (feet) × depth (converted to feet by dividing inches by 12) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. Formula: [Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in)] ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards.
How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cu ft = 0.764555 cubic meters).
How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard?
A standard contractor wheelbarrow holds 3 cubic feet of material. It takes 9 full level wheelbarrows to move 1 cubic yard. A small homeowner 2 cu ft wheelbarrow requires 13 to 14 trips.
How do you convert square feet with a depth in inches into cubic yards?
Multiply total square footage by depth in inches and divide by 324. For example, 600 sq ft at 3 inches deep: (600 × 3) ÷ 324 = 5.56 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt, gravel, or concrete weigh?
A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs ~2,000–2,200 lbs (1.0–1.1 tons); crushed gravel weighs ~2,800 lbs (1.4 tons); solid cured concrete weighs ~4,050 lbs (2.0 tons); dry mulch weighs ~600–800 lbs.
How do you calculate cubic yards for circular areas (cylinders)?
Multiply Pi (3.14159) × radius² (in feet) × depth (in feet), then divide by 27. For a 10-ft diameter round pool foundation (5 ft radius) at 6 inches (0.5 ft) deep: (3.14159 × 5² × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 1.45 cubic yards.
How many 50 lb or 80 lb bags equal one cubic yard?
For concrete, it takes 45 bags of 80 lb mix or 60 bags of 60 lb mix. For 50 lb bags of sand (0.5 cu ft), it takes 54 bags. For 2 cu ft bags of mulch, it takes 13.5 bags.
What is the difference between loose cubic yards and compacted cubic yards?
Loose materials (excavated soil, gravel, road base) contain air voids. When compacted with a plate compactor or roller, volume decreases by 10% to 20%. Always add a 15% compaction allowance when ordering fill material.