Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate cubic yards for concrete, fill dirt, and bulk materials.
Cubic Yard Calculator
What This Calculator Does
The Cubic Yard Calculator computes the volume of materials needed in cubic yards - the standard US unit for concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch, and fill dirt. Enter the length, width, and depth of your project area, and get the cubic yardage instantly, plus the amount with 10% waste added.
Nearly all bulk construction materials in the US are sold by the cubic yard. Concrete is quoted per cubic yard delivered. Gravel, topsoil, and mulch are sold by the cubic yard or fraction thereof. Getting this number right is critical: ordering one cubic yard less than needed for a concrete slab means an expensive short-load fee for a partial delivery. Ordering too much means paying for material you can't return.
The calculator accepts depth in inches or feet for maximum flexibility. The depth unit selector lets you enter thin slabs (inches) or deep fills (feet) without manual conversion. Results include cubic yards, cubic feet, and the recommended order quantity with 10% overage for compaction and spillage.
How to Use
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet using a tape measure or measuring wheel.
- Measure the depth: for slabs use inches, for deep fills use feet. Select the appropriate unit from the dropdown.
- Enter all dimensions into the calculator fields above.
- Click "Calculate" to get cubic yards, cubic feet, and the +10% waste adjusted amount.
- Quote the cubic yard figure to suppliers - all US concrete and aggregate companies quote by the cubic yard.
Reference Table
| Project Size | Depth | Cubic Yards | +10% Waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | 1.36 cu yd |
| 10 x 10 ft | 6 in | 1.85 cu yd | 2.04 cu yd |
| 20 x 20 ft | 4 in | 4.94 cu yd | 5.43 cu yd |
| 20 x 30 ft | 4 in | 7.41 cu yd | 8.15 cu yd |
| 30 x 50 ft | 6 in | 27.78 cu yd | 30.56 cu yd |
| 50 x 100 ft | 12 in | 185.2 cu yd | 203.7 cu yd |
Related Calculators
Concrete Calculator
Calculate bags or cubic yards of concrete needed for any project.
Gravel Calculator
Calculate cubic yards or tons of gravel for driveways and paths.
Topsoil Calculator
Calculate cubic yards of topsoil for gardens and lawn establishment.
Fill Dirt Calculator
Estimate cubic yards of fill dirt needed for grading and backfill.
Frequently Asked Questions
📐 Measurement Tools
Explore all 15 measurement tools