How this site is built
Review the calculation methodology to see which figures are exact geometry, which depend on material assumptions, and which figures have recorded sources. The source registry records every cited figure and its review status.
How to calculate cubic yards with depth in inches
When length and width are in feet and depth is in inches, cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 324. The 324 converts inches to feet and cubic feet to cubic yards. If every dimension is in feet, divide their product by 27 instead.
For a 12 ft × 12 ft area at 3 inches deep: 12 × 12 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.33 yd³ before allowance. Set the Depth unit to inches so a 3-inch layer is not interpreted as 3 feet.
How much area does one cubic yard cover?
| Even layer depth | Area per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 ft² |
| 2 inches | 162 ft² |
| 3 inches | 108 ft² |
| 4 inches | 81 ft² |
| 6 inches | 54 ft² |
Pure volume conversions before compaction, settling or waste. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet; its weight depends on the material.
How the cubic yards calculator works
Cubic yards measure volume. The calculator converts all three dimensions to compatible units, multiplies them, then converts the exact geometric result to cubic yards.
This page deliberately stops at geometry. Bulk products settle, compact and spill differently, so use the calculator for the specific material when planning an order.
Formula used for cubic yards calculator
The calculator keeps the measured quantity separate from any purchase rounding or allowance.
- Box volume
volume = length × width × depth - Convert
cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Planning choices for cubic yards calculator
| Situation | Use | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation or form | Use measured dimensions | Gives geometric capacity |
| Bulk landscape order | Continue to material calculator | Adds settling or compaction |
| Irregular site | Split into boxes | Makes the approximation inspectable |
These are measurement and ordering choices, not structural specifications or code requirements.
Measure and order cubic yards
Depth is the dimension most often entered in the wrong unit. Four inches is 0.333 ft, not 4 ft.
Suppliers may sell only in half-yard increments or impose a minimum delivery. Round according to the supplier after calculating the material allowance.
Cubic Yards Calculator questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
Exactly 27 cubic feet are in one cubic yard.
Should I round the result up?
For an order, first apply the material allowance, then round to the supplier’s purchasable increment.
Can this size a concrete pour?
It gives volume only. Use the concrete calculator for shapes, overage and bag counts.
Variables and units
For the default “Length × width × depth” mode. Other modes label their own fields in the calculator.
length- Length: ft, in, yd, m, cm.
width- Width: ft, in, yd, m, cm.
depth- Depth: in, ft, yd, m, cm.
Worked example: a shallow 18 ft by 9 ft bed
A rectangular bed is 18 ft long, 9 ft wide and 4 in deep.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 18 ft |
| Width | 9 ft |
| Depth | 4 in |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Cubic yards | 2 yd³ |
| Cubic feet | 54 ft³ |
These figures are generated by the same calculation the calculator above uses, so they update automatically if the method changes.
Where these numbers come from
This calculator uses geometry and values shown in the form. Editable product dimensions, coverage figures, prices and allowances are inputs, not universal recommendations; confirm them against the product label, drawing or supplier quote.
Content release:
Published by Material Totals. Review the methodology and source assumptions.
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