📦 Cubic Yard Calculator
Rectangular
Cylindrical
Conical
📋 How to Use This Calculator
Select Your Measurement Units
Choose between imperial (feet) or metric (meters) units based on your preference.
Choose the Shape
Select the shape that best matches your project: rectangular, cylindrical, or conical.
Select Material Type
Choose the material you're working with to get specific information about weight and coverage.
Enter Dimensions
Input the required measurements for your selected shape.
Get Your Results
Click "Calculate" to instantly see your cubic yard result and material-specific information.
Pro Tip
For irregular shapes, break the area into simple shapes and calculate each separately, then add them together.
🔍 Material Information
Material Densities
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard | Coverage (1" deep) |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 4,050 lbs (2.03 tons) | 324 sq ft |
| Gravel (3/4") | 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons) | 324 sq ft |
| Soil (topsoil) | 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons) | 324 sq ft |
| Mulch | 700-800 lbs (0.35-0.4 tons) | 324 sq ft |
| Sand | 2,600-3,000 lbs (1.3-1.5 tons) | 324 sq ft |
Delivery Information
Most suppliers have a minimum delivery amount of 3-5 cubic yards. For smaller projects, consider pickup options or bagged materials.
📊 Cubic Yard Formulas
- Length, Width, and Depth are in feet
- 27 is the conversion factor (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet)
- π (pi) is approximately 3.14159
- r is the radius (half the diameter) in feet
- h is the height in feet
- 27 is the conversion factor
- π (pi) is approximately 3.14159
- r is the radius of the base in feet
- h is the height in feet
- 27 is the conversion factor
Unit Conversion Reference
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Yards (yd³) | Cubic Feet (ft³) | 27 |
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | Cubic Yards (yd³) | 0.037 |
| Cubic Yards (yd³) | Cubic Meters (m³) | 0.765 |
| Cubic Meters (m³) | Cubic Yards (yd³) | 1.308 |
🚚 Material Ordering Tips
How Much to Order
- Add a Buffer: For most projects, add 5-10% extra to account for spillage, settling, and uneven ground.
- Concrete Projects: Add 10% extra for concrete to avoid running short during a pour.
- Gravel Driveways: For new driveways, plan for 4-6 inches depth. For refreshing existing driveways, 2-3 inches is typically sufficient.
- Mulch: For new beds, apply 3-4 inches. For maintenance, 1-2 inches is usually enough.
Delivery Considerations
- Access: Ensure delivery trucks can access your site. Most require at least 10-12 feet width clearance.
- Placement: Decide where materials should be dumped before delivery.
- Timing: For concrete, coordinate delivery with your crew's availability.
- Weather: Check the forecast, especially for concrete pours and soil delivery.
Important Note
Materials like soil and mulch can compact during transport. The actual volume when spread may be up to 20% more than the delivered volume.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A cubic yard is a unit of volume measurement equal to 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet, or 27 cubic feet. It's commonly used for measuring large volumes of materials in construction and landscaping projects.
For standard 80 lb bags of concrete mix:
- 1 cubic yard = approximately 60 bags of 80 lb concrete mix
- 1 cubic yard = approximately 45 bags of 60 lb concrete mix
- 1 cubic yard = approximately 90 bags of 40 lb concrete mix
For large projects, ready-mix concrete delivered by truck is usually more economical than bagged concrete.
The weight varies significantly depending on the material:
- Concrete: 4,050 lbs (2.03 tons)
- Gravel: 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons)
- Topsoil: 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons)
- Sand: 2,600-3,000 lbs (1.3-1.5 tons)
- Mulch: 700-800 lbs (0.35-0.4 tons)
These weights are approximate and can vary based on moisture content and specific material composition.
The coverage area depends on the depth of application:
- At 1 inch deep: 324 square feet
- At 2 inches deep: 162 square feet
- At 3 inches deep: 108 square feet
- At 4 inches deep: 81 square feet
- At 6 inches deep: 54 square feet
- At 12 inches deep: 27 square feet
Formula: Coverage in square feet = (27 × 12) ÷ depth in inches
The capacity varies by truck size:
- Small pickup truck (5-6 ft bed): 1-1.5 cubic yards
- Full-size pickup truck (8 ft bed): 2-3 cubic yards
- Dump truck: 10-14 cubic yards
Note that weight limits may restrict how much you can safely carry, especially with dense materials like gravel or concrete.