# How many cubic yards do I need?

Computes the volume of material for a rectangle, square, circle, ring, triangle, trapezoid or rectangular border at a given depth, in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic metres, with an optional cost.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/construction/cubic-yards-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/construction/cubic-yards-calculator.json
- Version: 930a69e8306b

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Area shape Rectangle, Length 10 ft, Width 10 ft, Depth 3 in, How many areas 1, Price per Cubic yard): Filling the area 3 in deep takes 0.93 yd³ of material.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| shape | Area shape | The shape of the area to fill. |
| len | Length | The length of the rectangle, or the side of the square. |
| wid | Width | The width of the rectangle. |
| border | Border width | How wide the border is, around the outside of the rectangle. |
| dia | Diameter | The outer diameter of the circle. |
| inner | Inner diameter | The diameter of the circle inside the ring, which is not filled. |
| a | Side A | The first side of the triangle, or the first parallel side of the trapezoid. |
| b | Side B | The second side of the triangle, or the second parallel side of the trapezoid. |
| c | Side C | The third side of the triangle. |
| h | Height | The distance between the two parallel sides of the trapezoid. |
| dep | Depth | How thick the layer of material is. |
| quantity | How many areas | How many areas of this size to fill. |
| price | Price | The price of the material per cubic yard, cubic foot or cubic metre. Leave empty to skip the cost. |
| costUnit | Price per | The volume unit the price is for. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| cubicYards | Cubic yards | The total volume in cubic yards: area × depth × how many, ÷ 27 cubic feet per cubic yard. |
| cubicFeet | Cubic feet | The total volume in cubic feet. |
| cubicMeters | Cubic metres | The total volume in cubic metres. |
| area | Area of one shape | The area of one shape, before multiplying by how many areas. |
| total | Total cost | The total volume in the price unit × the price. |

## Method

volume = area of the shape × depth × how many; cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27

## Assumptions

- Rectangle: length × width. Square: side². Circle: π × diameter² ÷ 4. Ring: π × (outer² − inner²) ÷ 4. Triangle: Heron’s formula from the three sides. Trapezoid: (side A + side B) ÷ 2 × height.
- A rectangle border runs around the outside of the rectangle: (length + 2 × border) × (width + 2 × border) − length × width.
- The volume is the loose volume of the layer. It adds nothing for waste, settling or compaction.
- The cost is the total volume in the price unit × the price.

## Worked examples

1. shape = rectangle, len = 3.048, wid = 3.048, dep = 0.0762, quantity = 1, costUnit = cubic-yard gives cubicYards = 0.707921, area = 9.290304. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
2. shape = rectangle, len = 3.6576, wid = 4.8768, dep = 0.1016, quantity = 1, price = $45.00, costUnit = cubic-yard gives cubicYards = 1.812278, total = $106.67. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
3. shape = circle, dia = 3.6576, dep = 0.1016, quantity = 2, costUnit = cubic-yard gives cubicYards = 2.13504. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
4. shape = triangle, a = 0.9144, b = 1.2192, c = 1.524, dep = 0.3048, quantity = 1, costUnit = cubic-foot, price = $2.00 gives area = 0.557418, cubicFeet = 0.169901, total = $12.00. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
5. shape = rectangle-border, len = 6.096, wid = 3.048, border = 0.6096, dep = 0.1016, quantity = 1, costUnit = cubic-yard gives area = 12.634813. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
6. shape = circle-border, dia = 3.6576, inner = 2.4384, dep = 0.1016, quantity = 1, costUnit = cubic-yard gives area = 5.83727. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.

## FAQ

### What is a cubic yard?

A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to 27 cubic feet or approximately 0.7646 cubic meters. It's commonly used in construction and landscaping to measure materials like concrete, soil, gravel, and mulch.

### How do I calculate cubic yards?

To calculate cubic yards, first determine the area in square feet, then multiply by the depth in feet, and finally divide by 27. The formula is: Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27. For example, a 10 ft × 10 ft area 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep is 10 × 10 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.

### What shapes does this calculator support?

This calculator supports rectangles, squares, circles, circle borders (rings), triangles, trapezoids, and rectangle borders. Each shape has its own area formula, which the calculator multiplies by the depth.

### How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?

To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide the cubic feet by 27. For example, 54 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 2 cubic yards.

### What materials can I calculate with this tool?

This calculator works for any material that can be measured by volume, including concrete, soil, gravel, mulch, sand, stone, and other construction or landscaping materials.

### How accurate are the calculations?

The calculations are mathematically exact for the dimensions you provide. However, actual material quantities may vary due to compaction, settling, and other factors. Many suppliers suggest adding 5-10% extra for waste and settling.

## Sources

- NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c