Calculate fill volume for landscaping, concrete, and bulk material projects. Enter surface dimensions and depth to get cubic yards, cubic feet, metric volume, and optional material weight estimates.
Measure the longest side of the area to fill
Use average width if the space is irregular
Typical: 2–3 in mulch, 4 in gravel, 4 in concrete slabs
All dimensions converted to yards internally
Weight estimates help plan truck loads and delivery fees
Volume = Length × Width × Depth (all converted to yards). 1 cubic yard = a cube 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft.
30 × 20 ft, 4 in deep → 7.41 yd³
15 × 10 ft, 6 in deep → 2.78 yd³
20 × 20 ft, 4 in deep → 4.94 yd³
12 × 8 ft, 3 in deep → 0.89 yd³
| Unit | = 1 Cubic Yard | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Feet | 27 ft³ | General building volume |
| Cubic Inches | 46,656 in³ | Small-product estimation |
| Cubic Meters | 0.7646 m³ | Metric project planning |
| US Gallons | 201.97 gal | Liquid volume equivalent |
| Liters | 764.55 L | International liquid equivalent |
| Material | Density (tons/yd³) | Weight (lb/yd³) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Gravel | 1.5 | 3,000 | Average 3/4 in crushed stone weighs about 1.45–1.55 tons per cubic yard. |
| Dry Sand | 1.35 | 2,700 | Dry mason or play sand typically ranges from 1.30–1.40 tons per cubic yard. |
| Screened Topsoil | 1 | 2,000 | Moist topsoil averages close to 2,000 lb (1 ton) per cubic yard. |
| Wood Mulch | 0.4 | 800 | Shredded hardwood mulch is light—roughly 800 lb per cubic yard. |
| Ready-Mix Concrete | 2 | 4,000 | Hardened concrete weighs about 4,000 lb (2 tons) per cubic yard. |
A cubic yard is the volume of a cube measuring exactly 3 feet on each side — 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet. It is the standard unit for bulk materials in North American construction, landscaping, and agriculture. When you order mulch, gravel, topsoil, or ready-mix concrete, suppliers quote prices per cubic yard.
Understanding cubic yards lets you compare quotes from different suppliers, avoid under- or over-ordering, and plan truck loads accurately. The formula is simple: Volume (yd³) = Length × Width × Depth, with all dimensions converted to yards first.
Example: A driveway 30 ft × 20 ft with 4-inch (0.33 ft) gravel base: Convert to yards: 30/3 = 10 yd, 20/3 = 6.67 yd, 4/36 = 0.111 yd. Volume = 10 × 6.67 × 0.111 ≈ 7.41 yd³. At 1.5 tons/yd³ for gravel: 11.1 tons of material.