20 ft x 10 ft x 3 in
- Cubic feet
- 52.5
- Waste added
- 5%
- Cubic feet per yard
- 27
Cubic Yard Calculator
Use this free cubic yard calculator to estimate cubic feet and cubic yards from rectangular dimensions, depth, and waste percent.
Inputs explained Result checks Example values Runs in your browser
Formula steps
- Convert depth from inches to feet.
- Multiply length, width, and depth for cubic feet.
- Add waste and divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards.
How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator
- Enter length and width in feet, depth in inches, and waste percent.
- Press Calculate cubic yards to see cubic feet and cubic yards.
- Use it as a general bulk material volume helper.
- Uneven ground, settling, compaction, and supplier rounding can change purchase amounts.
What people use it for
Estimate cubic yards for fill, soil, mulch, sand, or gravel.
Convert a shallow depth in inches into cubic yards.
Add waste before ordering bulk material.
Check the math behind material calculators.
Compare loose-yard bulk delivery with bagged material.
Quick examples
Material bed
20 ft x 10 ft x 3 in, 5% waste52.5 ft3 and 1.94 yd3
Deep fill
12 ft x 8 ft x 6 in, 10% waste52.8 ft3 and 1.96 yd3
Small patch
6 ft x 4 ft x 2 in, no waste4 ft3 and 0.15 yd3
Raised bed
8 ft x 4 ft x 12 in, no waste32 ft3 and 1.19 yd3
Need the guide or a nearby tool?
Need a slower walkthrough, a related calculator, or the full library? These links keep you close to the task you started.
- How to use the Cubic Yard Calculator See slower examples, input meanings, formula notes, result limits, and mistakes to avoid.
- Home & Projects Browse related calculators and utilities in the same category.
- Calculator and utility guides Find more guides that use real tool inputs and example numbers.
- All free tools Search every live tool, converter, calculator, AI helper, and browser utility.
Frequently asked questions
Plain-language answers about when to use the tool, what it does with your inputs, what to double-check, and how privacy works.
When should I use the Cubic Yard Calculator?
Use it when your task matches one of these common needs: Estimate cubic yards for fill, soil, mulch, sand, or gravel. Convert a shallow depth in inches into cubic yards. It works best when you already know length, width, depth in inches, and waste percent.
What is the Cubic Yard Calculator doing with my inputs?
In plain language: The calculator uses cubic feet = length x width x (depth inches / 12), adjusted cubic feet = cubic feet x (1 + waste percent / 100), cubic yards = adjusted cubic feet / 27, and cubic meters = adjusted cubic feet x 0.0283168. The examples on the page are there so you can compare your inputs with a cubic yard material example before copying the answer.
What do the main Cubic Yard Calculator inputs mean?
Length and width: the rectangular area to fill or cover. Depth: the average material depth in inches. Waste percent: extra material for uneven grade, compaction, settling, and ordering cushion.
How should I read the Cubic Yard Calculator answer?
Read the headline estimate first, then check the material, waste, coverage, and unit lines. For project tools, the supporting lines are often the difference between a rough idea and a list you can actually shop from.
What should I double-check before trusting the answer?
This is a simple rectangular-volume estimate, not a supplier order guarantee. Uneven ground, compaction, slopes, forms, settling, moisture, truck minimums, bag yield, and supplier rounding can change what you buy. Also check whether your supplier sells loose cubic yards, compacted cubic yards, tons, bags, or a minimum delivery amount.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard because 1 yard is 3 feet, and 3 x 3 x 3 = 27. That is why the calculator divides adjusted cubic feet by 27.
How do I calculate cubic yards from feet and inches?
Multiply length by width by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. If your depth is in inches, divide it by 12 first. For example, 3 inches is 0.25 foot.
How many cubic yards are in a 20 by 10 area at 3 inches deep?
A 20 ft by 10 ft area at 3 inches deep is 50 cubic feet before waste. With 5% waste, it becomes 52.5 cubic feet, or about 1.94 cubic yards.
Should I round cubic yards up when ordering material?
Usually yes, but do it based on the supplier rules. Some sellers round to the nearest half yard, some have a one-yard minimum, and some sell bags or tons instead of loose cubic yards.
Can cubic yards be converted to tons?
Only when you know the material density. A cubic yard of loose mulch, wet sand, gravel, and concrete can weigh very different amounts, so use the supplier tons-per-yard number when weight matters.
Does the site save what I enter?
No. The calculator runs in your browser tab. Your recent answers stay only on the page while you use it, and they are not sent to a server.
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