Find out how many cubic yards of soil, gravel, mulch, sand or concrete you need from the length, width and depth of the area.
Landscape suppliers and ready-mix plants sell bulk material by the cubic yard, but garden beds and slabs are measured in feet and inches. Converting between them by hand is where most ordering mistakes happen. Enter the length, width and depth here and the calculator gives you cubic yards, plus cubic feet, cubic meters and an approximate weight for common materials.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth, all in feet, to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. A bed 20 ft long, 10 ft wide and 4 inches (0.333 ft) deep is 66.7 cubic feet, which is about 2.47 cubic yards.
The formula
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard because a yard is 3 feet, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. Remember to turn inches into feet first by dividing by 12.
Recommended depths
| Project | Depth | Coverage of 1 yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch on garden beds | 2–3 in | 108–162 sq ft |
| Topsoil for new lawn | 4–6 in | 54–81 sq ft |
| Gravel driveway | 4–6 in | 54–81 sq ft |
| Concrete patio slab | 4 in | 81 sq ft |
Order 5 to 10% extra for settling and uneven ground. Weights are typical values for dry material, and wet material can be heavier.
How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator
Enter length and width
Measure the area in feet and type the length and width.
Enter the depth
Type how deep the layer will be and choose inches or feet.
Choose the material
Pick a material to see an approximate weight, and set the extra percentage for waste.
Read the volume
Cubic yards appear in large text, with cubic feet, cubic meters and weight underneath.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard covers about 108 square feet. At 4 inches it covers 81 square feet.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Roughly 1.4 to 1.7 US tons, depending on the stone size and moisture.
How do I measure an irregular area?
Split it into rectangles, calculate each one, and add the cubic yards together.
How many bags of mulch make a cubic yard?
About 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet each.
Sources and further reading
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Last reviewed: October 2026