Cubic Yard Calculator

Updated Sep 2026 Used 2 times

Volume method

Choose the solid or enter a known volume.

Length

Prism length.

Width

Rectangular width.

Depth

Material depth or cylinder height.

Radius

Round-area radius.

Triangle base

Triangle base.

Parallel side A

First parallel side.

Parallel side B

Second parallel side.

Cross-section height

Triangle or trapezoid height.

Known volume

Volume calculated elsewhere.

Repeated sections

Identical solids.

Ordering allowance

Allowance for site conditions.

Material density

Supplier data controls.

Custom density

Supplier bulk density.

Bag weight

Enter 0 if not needed.

Truck capacity

Nominal delivered volume.

Price per cubic yard

Material price before delivery.

Guest calculations stay on this device. Signed-in results sync privately.

Your result

Cubic yards to order

Enter your values, then calculate to see a verified result.

Inputs usedReview the information used for this result.

Full calculation and sourcesReview the shape or known volume, depth units, repeated sections, waste, density, bag weight, truck capacity, and price.

Versioned calculationFormula v3.2.0

Direct answer

Calculate cubic yards for supported shapes or known volume, then estimate order volume, weight, bags, truck loads, and material cost from editable assumptions.

Transparent method

Review the shape or known volume, depth units, repeated sections, waste, density, bag weight, truck capacity, and price.

Volume is calculated; weight and packaging are assumptions

Material density, moisture, compaction, bag yield, and supplier truck capacity vary. Use the raw volume to verify geometry and confirm purchase assumptions locally.

Choose the shapeMatch the measured solidThree supported shapes

Calculate cubic feetNormalize dimensions first6 in = 0.5 ft

Convert to cubic yardsDivide by 2727 ft³ = 1 yd³

Interpretation

Order after the entered allowance. Raw volume, weight, bags, truck loads, and cost remain visible.

Review the shape or known volume, depth units, repeated sections, waste, density, bag weight, truck capacity, and price.

Material density, moisture, compaction, bag yield, and supplier truck capacity vary. Use the raw volume to verify geometry and confirm purchase assumptions locally.

Use this result

Verify areaCheck the footprint before adding depth.Estimate asphalt tonsUse a paving-specific density.Review material densityConvert volume to an estimated weight.

Keep exploring

Method and test recordFormula v3.2.0

Recorded scope: Rectangular prism V=L×W×D. Cylinder V=πr²D. Triangular prism V=b×h/2×D. For irregular excavation, split the footprint into sections or use average depth only when measurements support it.
Publisher: CalculatorGeek
Recorded review date: 2026-09-08
Next source review: 2027-09-08
Definition fixtures: 2 configured scenarios
Published examples: 2 shown below

Recorded method

Content package, legacy implementation, formulas, units, boundary behavior, sources, and fixtures are reviewed separately before release.

These records describe the published model and reference tests. A test-case count is not a certification of every possible input or an independent specialist review. Editorial policy

Known limitations

Publish after all shapes, depth units, 27-cubic-foot conversion and material estimates are tested.

Method sources

Latest model update

2026-09-23 - Added the unified premium result bridge, task-specific interpretation, source boundary, and refreshed semantic answer coverage.

Reference inputs and expected results

These published examples are separate from the configured definition fixtures and any additional automated assertions. Expected values use the stated output units; invalid inputs are intended to be rejected.

Case	Inputs	Expected result
Twenty by ten by four inches		raw_yards=2.4691358, order_yards=2.4691358, estimated_cost=111.111111
Known volume with allowance		raw_yards=10, order_yards=11, truck_loads=2, estimated_cost=440

Report an issue with this tool. Include the page URL, units, expected answer, and steps to reproduce. Do not include sensitive personal information.

On this page

How to use the calculator

Choose the shape, enter dimensions and select units. Depth is the most common source of error: convert inches to feet before multiplying. Show raw volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, then keep waste-adjusted order quantity separate.

Continue with the Verify area. Check the footprint before adding depth.

Formulas by shape

Rectangular prism V=L x W x D. Cylinder V=πr²D. Triangular prism V=b x h/2 x D. For irregular excavation, split the footprint into sections or use average depth only when measurements support it.

Continue with the Estimate asphalt tons. Use a paving-specific density.

Volume is not weight

Cubic yards measure volume. Tons depend on bulk density, moisture, gradation and compaction. If a weight estimate is offered, name the selected material density and encourage confirmation with the supplier.

Ordering limits

Excavation swell, settlement, compaction, uneven subgrade, spillage and supplier minimums affect delivered quantity. Concrete waste, soil shrinkage and gravel compaction are different processes; do not apply one universal factor to every material.

Formula, precision and QA disclosure

CalculatorGeek normalizes units before applying the named formula, retains working precision through intermediate steps and rounds the displayed result once. Inputs outside the supported domain must return a clear no-result or warning state; they must not be silently forced into a plausible-looking answer.

Inputs, outputs and result meaning

Calculates cubic yards to order, calculated volume, metric volume, and estimated weight from volume method, length, width, and depth with visible method, validation, precision, and limitations.

Inputs

Volume method: Choose the solid or enter a known volume. Available choices are Rectangle / slab, Cylinder / round area, Triangular prism, Trapezoidal prism, and Known volume.
Length: Prism length. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Width: Rectangular width. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Depth: Material depth or cylinder height. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Radius: Round-area radius. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Triangle base: Triangle base. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Parallel side A: First parallel side. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Parallel side B: Second parallel side. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Cross-section height: Triangle or trapezoid height. Supported units include meters (m), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), feet (ft), inches (in), and yards (yd). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000.
Known volume: Volume calculated elsewhere. Supported units include cubic meters (m3), cubic feet (ft3), and cubic yards (yd3). The supported range is 0.0001 through 1,000,000,000.
Repeated sections: Identical solids. Supported units include sections. The supported range is 1 through 1,000,000.
Ordering allowance: Allowance for site conditions. Supported units include percent (%). The supported range is 0 through 200.
Material density: Supplier data controls. Available choices are Topsoil planning value, Gravel planning value, Concrete planning value, Mulch planning value, and Custom density.
Custom density: Supplier bulk density. Supported units include kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3) and pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3). The supported range is 1 through 10,000.
Bag weight: Enter 0 if not needed. Supported units include kilograms (kg) and pounds (lb). The supported range is 0 through 10,000.
Truck capacity: Nominal delivered volume. Supported units include cubic yards (yd3), cubic meters (m3), and cubic feet (ft3). The supported range is 0.01 through 10,000.
Price per cubic yard: Material price before delivery. Supported units include US dollars ($). The supported range is 0 through 1,000,000.

Outputs

Cubic yards to order: This is the primary result. It is displayed in yd3. The visible value uses up to 2 decimal places according to the output rule.
Calculated volume: It is displayed in yd3. The visible value uses up to 2 decimal places according to the output rule.
Metric volume: It is displayed in m3. The visible value uses up to 3 decimal places according to the output rule.
Estimated weight: It is displayed in short tons. The visible value uses up to 2 decimal places according to the output rule.
Metric weight: It is displayed in t. The visible value uses up to 2 decimal places according to the output rule.
Estimated whole bags: The visible value is displayed without decimal places.
Estimated truck loads: The visible value is displayed without decimal places.
Estimated material cost: The visible value uses up to 2 decimal places according to the output rule.

Solid volume converted to cubic yards x quantity x (1 + ordering allowance). Keep the result label, unit, selected mode, and stated limitations together when sharing the answer.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

Exactly 27 cubic feet.

How do I convert inches of depth to feet?

Divide inches by 12.

How many tons are in a cubic yard?

It depends on material density and moisture.

Should I round up?

Keep the raw result, then apply project and supplier requirements.

Can I use average depth?

Only when it reasonably represents a measured uneven area.

Primary sources

Implementation validation covers the method, units, source record, and published verification cases. Official or primary sources control where policies or standards change.

NIST SI unit guidance - https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811
USDA NRCS engineering resources - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/engineering