Calculate cubic yards from length, width, and depth. Works for concrete, gravel, fill, topsoil, mulch — any rectangular volume. Depth can be entered in inches or feet.
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Shop Express Tools →Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27. Convert inches to feet first by dividing by 12. A 10×10 ft area at 4 inches deep = (10 × 10 × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 1.23 CY. Always add 10% for waste and variation.
Cubic yards is the standard ordering unit for bulk materials in U.S. construction. Concrete is always ordered in CY (minimum order is typically 1 CY from ready-mix plants; short loads carry a premium). Gravel, sand, topsoil, and fill dirt are quoted and delivered in CY or tons — use the weight converter to cross-check ton-based quotes. One cubic yard of concrete weighs approximately 2 tons (4,000 lbs); gravel is about 1.4 tons/CY; topsoil is 1.0–1.2 tons/CY.
| Material | Approx. Weight (tons/CY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete (ready-mix) | 2.0 tons/CY | ~4,000 lbs per CY |
| Crushed gravel / road base | 1.35–1.5 tons/CY | Varies by gradation |
| Washed sand | 1.3–1.4 tons/CY | Dry vs. wet affects weight |
| Topsoil | 1.0–1.2 tons/CY | Varies with moisture content |
| Clay (compacted) | 1.4–1.6 tons/CY | Heavier when wet |
| Clean fill (mixed) | 1.2–1.4 tons/CY | Average for estimating |
| Wood mulch | 0.2–0.4 tons/CY | Very light; volume is the key metric |
| Rip rap / large stone | 1.5–1.8 tons/CY | Varies with void ratio |
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Start free trialA 10×10 ft area at 4 inches deep contains 1.23 cubic yards (10 × 10 × 0.333 ft ÷ 27). Add 10% for waste, so order about 1.35 CY.
Weight varies by material: concrete ~4,000 lbs/CY, gravel ~2,800 lbs/CY, dry sand ~2,600 lbs/CY, topsoil ~2,200 lbs/CY, mulch ~400–800 lbs/CY.
A standard contractor wheelbarrow holds about 3–4 cubic feet. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, so approximately 7–9 wheelbarrow loads per cubic yard.
Break the area into rectangles or triangles, calculate the cubic yards for each section, then add them together. For irregular depths, use the average depth across the area.