CalculationTime

Cubic Yards Calculator

Calculate cubic yards from length, width and depth in feet and inches, with measured cubic feet, cubic metres, ordering allowance, rounded order quantity and a printable concrete, gravel, soil, mulch or classroom job note.

Live math canvas

Your numbers, formula and explanation together

Cubic Yards Calculator: 1.6296 yd³. 1.4815 yd³ measured · 40 ft³ · 1.1327 m³ · 10% allowance · round-up check 1.75 yd³

Formula applied

The exact method behind this answer

CalculationTime keeps the method visible so the number can be checked instead of blindly trusted.

Cubic yards = length ft × width ft × (depth inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Planning cubic yards = cubic yards × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100).
  1. Apply the formulaCubic yards = length ft × width ft × (depth inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Planning cubic yards = cubic yards × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100).1.6296 yd³1.4815 yd³ measured · 40 ft³ · 1.1327 m³ · 10% allowance · round-up check 1.75 yd³

Your live breakdown

Current inputs in the calculation

These values come from the controls above and update when the calculator changes.

Length
12 feet
Measure the long side of the rectangular area in feet.
Width
10 feet
Measure the short side in feet.
Depth
4 inches
Enter material depth in inches, such as 4 for a slab, gravel bed or mulch layer.
Ordering allowance
10 percent
Optional extra for uneven subgrade, compaction, spillage, over-excavation or supplier rounding.

Resulting answer

1.6296 yd³

1.4815 yd³ measured · 40 ft³ · 1.1327 m³ · 10% allowance · round-up check 1.75 yd³

Answer
1.6296 yd³
Live support
1.4815 yd³ measured · 40 ft³ · 1.1327 m³ · 10% allowance · round-up check 1.75 yd³

Assumptions used

What this answer assumes

Use measured cubic yards for arithmetic and planning cubic yards for ordering notes.

  • The measured shape is a rectangular prism: length and width in feet, depth in inches.
  • One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
  • The allowance is a planning buffer for site variation, compaction, waste or supplier rounding; it is not part of the exact measured volume.
  • Concrete, gravel, soil and mulch may also need density, bag size, truck minimums, mix design or local supplier advice before ordering.

Master’s Tip

How to use the result well

Master’s Tip: measure the depth in several spots and write the allowance reason on the report. A neat cubic-yard number is less useful than a record that says whether extra quantity covers compaction, uneven grade, forms, spillage or supplier rounding.

Printable record

What belongs in the saved calculation

Save the inputs, result, formula, assumptions, page URL and date together so the calculation can be reviewed later.

Length
12 feet
Measure the long side of the rectangular area in feet.
Width
10 feet
Measure the short side in feet.
Depth
4 inches
Enter material depth in inches, such as 4 for a slab, gravel bed or mulch layer.
Ordering allowance
10 percent
Optional extra for uneven subgrade, compaction, spillage, over-excavation or supplier rounding.

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Formula

Cubic yards = length ft × width ft × (depth inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Planning cubic yards = cubic yards × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100).

Worked example

For 12 ft × 10 ft × 4 in: depth in feet = 4 ÷ 12 = 0.3333 ft. Cubic feet = 12 × 10 × 0.3333 = 40 ft³. Cubic yards = 40 ÷ 27 = 1.4815 yd³. With 10% allowance, planning quantity = 1.4815 × 1.10 = 1.6296 yd³.

Professional note

Master’s Tip: measure the depth in several spots and write the allowance reason on the report. A neat cubic-yard number is less useful than a record that says whether extra quantity covers compaction, uneven grade, forms, spillage or supplier rounding.

Regional and unit assumptions

Standard or basis: US customary volume relationship, where 1 yard = 3 feet and therefore 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. The page uses arithmetic only and does not approve structural concrete, soil compaction, drainage or code requirements.

Assumptions and limitations

Methodology & Accuracy

How this calculator is checked

CalculationTime pages are built around visible arithmetic: the formula, assumptions, worked example and practical limitations are shown so the result can be checked rather than simply trusted.

Formula used

Cubic yards = length ft × width ft × (depth inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Planning cubic yards = cubic yards × (1 + allowance percent ÷ 100).

Standard or basis

Standard or basis: US customary volume relationship, where 1 yard = 3 feet and therefore 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. The page uses arithmetic only and does not approve structural concrete, soil compaction, drainage or code requirements.

Where a calculator follows a named legal, trade or industry standard, that standard is cited visibly. Otherwise the page uses transparent general arithmetic and states its limits.

Master's Tip

Master’s Tip: measure the depth in several spots and write the allowance reason on the report. A neat cubic-yard number is less useful than a record that says whether extra quantity covers compaction, uneven grade, forms, spillage or supplier rounding.

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Questions

How do you calculate cubic yards?

Multiply length in feet by width in feet by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 because one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.

How do I use inches for depth?

Convert inches to feet first by dividing by 12. A 4-inch depth is 4 ÷ 12 = 0.3333 feet.

Should I add extra cubic yards when ordering?

Often yes, but keep it separate from the exact measured volume. Extra quantity may cover compaction, uneven ground, waste, spillage or supplier rounding.

Is this the same as a concrete calculator?

It uses the same rectangular-volume arithmetic, but concrete jobs may also need mix design, reinforcement, forms, delivery minimums and structural approval.

Can I use this for gravel, soil or mulch?

Yes for first-pass rectangular volume in cubic yards. For weight, bags or truck loads, check material density, compaction and supplier units separately.

Calculation note

Cubic yards are common in North American construction and landscaping because bulk materials are often sold by volume. A cubic-yard calculator turns tape-measure dimensions into a quantity that can be checked on a quote, delivery ticket or classroom worksheet.

A cubic yard is a volume cube

A yard is three feet long, so a cube one yard on each side is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, or 27 cubic feet. That fixed relationship is the reason rectangular job measurements in feet can be divided by 27 to get cubic yards.

Depth is the usual mistake

Lengths and widths are commonly measured in feet, while slab, gravel and mulch depths are often given in inches. Converting depth to feet before multiplying prevents a 12-times error.

The printout is a job record, not just an answer

For ordering material, the useful record includes measured length, width, depth, exact volume, allowance percent, formula, date/page context and a notes area for supplier rounding or site conditions.

Sources and further readingNIST Handbook 44 Appendix C: General Tables of Units of MeasurementBritannica: Volume