How many cubic yards do I need for a 10x10 area at 4 inches deep?

For a 10 ft x 10 ft area at 4 inches (0.333 ft) deep: Volume = 10 x 10 x 0.333 = 33.3 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert: 33.3 / 27 = 1.23 cubic yards. Always add a 10% waste factor, which brings the order quantity to approximately 1.36 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?

There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. This is because a cubic yard equals 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet = 27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide your cubic foot total by 27.

How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?

A cubic yard of normal-weight concrete (4,000 PSI) weighs approximately 3,915 pounds or about 1.96 US tons. This is based on a density of 145 lb/ft³ (27 × 145 = 3,915 lbs). Lightweight concrete can weigh as little as 3,240 lbs per cubic yard (120 lb/ft³).

How many cubic yards of topsoil do I need for a 1,000 square foot lawn at 4 inches deep?

For 1,000 sq ft at 4 inches (0.333 ft): Volume = 1,000 x 0.333 = 333 cubic feet. Convert: 333 / 27 = 12.33 cubic yards. With a standard 10% waste factor, order 13.6 cubic yards. One cubic yard of topsoil covers roughly 100 square feet at 3 inches deep.

How do I convert cubic yards to tons for gravel or dirt?

Multiply cubic yards by the material's density in tons per cubic yard. Dry gravel is approximately 1.42 tons/yd³, dry topsoil is approximately 1.35 tons/yd³, and sand is approximately 1.35 tons/yd³. For example, 5 cubic yards of gravel = 5 x 1.42 = 7.1 US tons. Material densities vary by moisture content, so these are planning estimates.

What waste factor should I use when ordering concrete or fill material?

The standard industry waste factor is 10% for most poured concrete, fill dirt, and gravel projects. ACI 318-19 and general contractor practice recommend 5-10% overage on concrete to account for spillage, uneven subgrade, and form leakage. For irregular shapes or sloped sites, use 10-15%. This calculator applies your chosen waste percentage to the order quantity automatically.

Why is my cubic yard calculation different from the supplier's estimate?

Common causes include: (1) Depth entered in inches but treated as feet — always convert inches to feet first (divide by 12). (2) Not adding a 10% waste factor for overage. (3) Using nominal vs. actual dimensions. (4) The supplier may include compaction allowance, which adds 15-25% for fill materials. This calculator shows both net volume and order-ready quantity with your selected waste factor.

Cubic Yard Calculator — Volume, Weight & Cost for Any Shape

Enter your dimensions, pick your shape, and get the exact cubic yards of concrete, gravel, topsoil, fill dirt, or mulch you need to order — including weight in tons and a cost estimate. Calculations follow the formula V = L × W × D ÷ 27, the standard used by concrete suppliers and bulk material yards across the USA.

Last Reviewed: May 2026 Free, No Signup Required Sources Cited No Data Stored or Transmitted Reviewed by Site Author

📐 Cubic Yard Calculator

Select Area Shape

Input Unit All dimension fields use this unit

Depth Unit Depth is often measured in inches

Length ft

Width ft

Input as

Radius ft

Base ft

Height ft

Top Base (a) ft

Bottom Base (b) ft

Height ft

Divide your L-shape into two rectangles (Section A and Section B). They share the same depth.

Section A

Section A Length ft

Section A Width ft

Section B

Section B Length ft

Section B Width ft

Depth / Thickness in

Concrete slabs: 4 in. Driveways: 4-6 in. Patios: 4 in.

Project Label (optional)

Material Type Used to calculate weight in pounds and US tons

Calculations run in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

The foundation formula is straightforward: multiply length by width by depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. Every shape this calculator supports reduces to this same principle after accounting for geometry.

Measure your area

Measure length and width in feet. Depth (thickness) is usually measured in inches. For a 4-inch concrete slab, the depth in feet is 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.

Calculate cubic feet

Multiply: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) = Cubic feet. A 20 × 10 ft slab at 4 inches deep = 20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.6 cubic feet.

Divide by 27

There are exactly 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). So: 66.6 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards net.

Add a waste factor

Add 10% for spillage, uneven subgrade, and overfill. 2.47 × 1.10 = 2.72 cubic yards to order. Most suppliers round up to the nearest 0.25 yd³.

Core Formula

Cubic Yards = (L × W × D) ÷ 27

Where L = length in feet, W = width in feet, D = depth in feet.

For a circle: Volume = π × r² × D ÷ 27. | For a triangle: Volume = (0.5 × B × H × D) ÷ 27.

For the complete concrete formula breakdown, see our formula reference guide.

Material Weight per Cubic Yard — Reference Table

Knowing the weight of your material matters for two reasons: delivery truck payload limits (typically 10-14 tons per load) and structural loading. The values below are dry-state densities used by this calculator.

Approximate material weights per cubic yard (dry state)
Material	Density (lb/ft³)	Lbs per Cu Yd	US Tons per Cu Yd	Common Use
Concrete (normal-weight)	145	3,915	1.96	Slabs, foundations, driveways
Gravel, dry	105	2,835	1.42	Base course, drainage, backfill
Gravel, wet	125	3,375	1.69	Saturated base applications
Topsoil	100	2,700	1.35	Lawn top-dressing, garden beds
Sand, dry	100	2,700	1.35	Mortar, bedding layer, fill
Sand, wet	120	3,240	1.62	Beach/saturated site conditions
Fill Dirt	90	2,430	1.22	Grading, compacted fill, pads
Crushed Stone (#57)	100	2,700	1.35	Subbase, pipe bedding, drainage
Mulch, dry bark	18.7	505	0.25	Landscaping, tree rings, paths

Sources: The Calculator Site (2024) and TRORC Material Weight Reference Chart. Densities vary by moisture content and aggregate gradation. Use these as planning estimates.

Truck load rule: Most concrete mixer trucks carry 9-10 cubic yards (about 38,500 lbs loaded). Flatbed delivery trucks for gravel or topsoil typically hold 10-14 US tons. Calculate weight before scheduling delivery to avoid overloaded hauls. Use our gravel calculator or topsoil calculator for project-specific estimates.

Coverage: How Much Does 1 Cubic Yard Cover?

One cubic yard covers different areas depending on how deep you spread or pour the material. This quick-lookup table is helpful when you know your square footage and need to pick a depth.

Coverage of 1 cubic yard at common depths
Depth	Coverage (sq ft)	Typical Application
1 inch	324 sq ft	Thin top-dressing, sand leveling
2 inches	162 sq ft	Mulch, light topdress
3 inches	108 sq ft	Mulch beds, gravel paths
4 inches	81 sq ft	Concrete slab, patio, walkway
6 inches	54 sq ft	Driveway slab, heavy-duty pad
8 inches	40 sq ft	Structural footing, frost wall
12 inches	27 sq ft	Deep foundation, retaining base

Formula: Coverage (sq ft) = 324 ÷ Depth (in). Derived from the identity 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 27 × 12 in³ per square foot layer.

To calculate the square footage of your area first, use the square footage calculator and then bring that number back here for volume.

Example Calculations

Residential Concrete Driveway

Scenario: A 20 ft × 24 ft driveway at 6 inches thick. Material: 4,000 PSI ready-mix concrete.

Area: 20 × 24 = 480 sq ft
Depth in feet: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
Cubic feet: 480 × 0.5 = 240 ft³
Cubic yards: 240 ÷ 27 = 8.89 yd³
10% waste: 8.89 × 1.10 = 9.78 yd³ to order
Weight: 9.78 × 3,915 = 38,289 lbs ≈ 19.1 US tons

At $140/yd³, material cost: 9.78 × $140 = $1,369. Requires 2 ready-mix trucks.

Topsoil for Lawn Renovation

Scenario: A 50 ft × 40 ft lawn area needing 4 inches of topsoil.

Area: 50 × 40 = 2,000 sq ft
Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft
Cubic feet: 2,000 × 0.333 = 666 ft³
Cubic yards: 666 ÷ 27 = 24.67 yd³
Add 15% compaction allowance: 24.67 × 1.15 = 28.37 yd³
Weight: 24.67 × 2,700 = 66,609 lbs ≈ 33.3 US tons

Topsoil shrinks 15-25% after compaction. Always account for this when filling to final grade. See our fill dirt calculator for compaction-adjusted volumes.

Round Pool Surround in Gravel

Scenario: A circular gravel patio around an 18 ft diameter pool, 3 inches deep, 3 ft wide surround ring.

Outer radius: 9 + 3 = 12 ft. Inner radius: 9 ft.
Outer area: π × 12² = 452.4 sq ft
Inner area (pool): π × 9² = 254.5 sq ft
Ring area: 452.4 - 254.5 = 197.9 sq ft
Cubic feet: 197.9 × (3/12) = 49.5 ft³
Cubic yards: 49.5 ÷ 27 = 1.83 yd³ + 10% = 2.01 yd³ to order

Use the circle shape, enter the outer radius, then subtract the pool area using the deduction field in Advanced Options.

5 Common Cubic Yard Calculation Errors

These mistakes account for most over-orders and under-orders on residential projects. Each costs real money -- either wasted material or a delayed pour waiting for a second truck.

Entering depth in inches as feet

A 4-inch slab entered as 4.0 feet produces a result 12 times too high. Always divide inches by 12 before multiplying. A 4-inch depth = 0.333 feet. This calculator handles the conversion automatically when you select "Inches" as your depth unit.

Skipping the waste factor

Ordering exactly the calculated volume leaves no margin for an uneven subgrade, form leakage, or spillage. ACI 318-19 and standard contractor practice recommend 5-10% overage on concrete. Fill materials need 10-15% extra to account for compaction settling.

Not subtracting openings and obstructions

Columns, drain boxes, pipes, and islands within a pour area must be deducted from the gross area. A 12-inch diameter column at 4 inches deep removes roughly 0.016 yd³ -- small individually, but significant across a large project with many penetrations.

Confusing cubic feet and cubic yards

Suppliers sell concrete and bulk materials by the cubic yard. Forgetting to divide cubic feet by 27 is the single most common ordering error. 240 cubic feet is only 8.89 cubic yards -- ordering 240 yards would flood the project site.

Ignoring compaction for fill materials

Loose fill dirt, topsoil, and gravel compact 15-25% after placement and traffic loading. A 12-inch loose-fill layer may compact to 9-10 inches. Order 15-20% extra when filling to a final finished grade. Use the compaction factor field in Advanced Options to account for this.

Typical Depth and Volume Standards by Project Type

Industry standards from ACI 318-19, IBC 2024, and US contractor practice set minimum depths for different applications. These directly affect how many cubic yards you need.

Minimum material depth by project type (US standards)
Project Type	Min Depth	Typical Depth	Standard / Source
Residential concrete slab (interior)	3.5 in	4 in	ACI 318-19 §26.4
Driveway (passenger vehicles)	4 in	4-6 in	ACI 330R-01 §3.2
Driveway (heavy trucks)	6 in	6-8 in	ACI 330R-01 §3.3
Concrete footings (frost line)	12 in min width	Below frost depth	IBC 2024 §1809.5
Gravel subbase (driveway)	4 in	6-8 in	AASHTO standard
Topsoil (lawn establishment)	4 in	4-6 in	USGA Green Section
Mulch (landscape beds)	2 in	3-4 in	ANLA best practice

For concrete structural work, always confirm with your local building department. IBC 2024 §1604 requires licensed engineer review for permitted structural elements. The concrete foundation calculator includes footing-specific depth guidance.

Gravel and crushed stone quantities for road and driveway base layers are also covered by the road base calculator and driveway base calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic yards of concrete do I need for a 10x10 slab at 4 inches?

10 ft × 10 ft × (4 ÷ 12) ft = 33.33 cubic feet. Divide by 27 = 1.23 cubic yards net. With a standard 10% waste factor, order 1.36 cubic yards. Most suppliers have a minimum order of 1 yard and sell in 0.25-yard increments, so you'd order 1.5 yards in practice.

What is the difference between cubic yards and cubic feet?

A cubic foot is 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 ft. A cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet. Suppliers of concrete, gravel, topsoil, and sand quote prices per cubic yard. Your measurements (in feet) produce cubic feet, which you divide by 27 to get yards. Entering a depth of 4 inches without dividing by 12 is the most common source of error.

How many bags of concrete equal 1 cubic yard?

It depends on bag size: 80 lb bags: approximately 45 bags per cubic yard. 60 lb bags: approximately 60 bags. 40 lb bags: approximately 90 bags. These figures are based on Quikrete's published yield data (80 lb bag = 0.60 cu ft; 45 × 0.60 = 27 cu ft = 1 yd³). For projects over 1 yard, ready-mix is almost always cheaper and faster than bagged concrete. Use the concrete calculator for bag count estimates.

How do I calculate cubic yards for an irregularly shaped area?

The standard method is to decompose the irregular shape into simple shapes (rectangles, triangles, circles) and calculate each separately, then add the volumes. This calculator handles L-shapes directly using two rectangles. For more complex shapes, calculate each segment, add the cubic yards, and apply one waste factor to the total. The multi-area list feature lets you add each segment and get a combined project total.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel cost in 2026?

Bulk gravel (crushed stone #57 or similar) typically runs $25-$65 per cubic yard for the material in 2025-2026, depending on region and stone type. Delivery adds $50-$150 per load depending on distance. Decorative gravel and river rock can reach $100-$200/yd³. For project-specific cost estimates, enter your local cost per yard in the Advanced Options. See also the crushed stone calculator for material-specific pricing context.

Do I need to add extra yards for compaction of fill dirt or topsoil?

Yes. Loose fill materials compact 15-25% after placement and traffic loading. If you calculate 10 yd³ of topsoil for a lawn project and the soil compacts 20%, your finished depth will be roughly 80% of what you placed. Order 10 ÷ 0.80 = 12.5 yd³ to achieve a final 4-inch grade. This calculator includes a compaction factor field in Advanced Options. For excavation volumes, the excavation calculator also accounts for swell factors.

What is the minimum order for ready-mix concrete?

Most ready-mix suppliers in the US have a minimum order of 1 cubic yard and charge a short-load fee (typically $50-$200) for orders under 3-5 yards. Standard mixer trucks carry 8-10 cubic yards. If your project is under 1 yard, bagged concrete (Quikrete or Sakrete) is more practical. For projects over 3 yards, always call at least 48 hours ahead and confirm the access route for the truck. Review the concrete cubic yard calculator for ready-mix specific planning.

Sources and Methodology

This calculator uses verified formulas and density values from published industry standards. All math is done client-side in your browser; no inputs are transmitted to any server.

Volume formulas: Standard Euclidean geometry (V = L × W × D for rectangular prisms; V = πr²D for cylinders; V = 0.5 × B × H × D for triangular prisms)
Unit conversion: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (exact); 1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic meters (NIST Handbook 44)
Concrete density: 145 lb/ft³ per ACI 318-19 Table 19.2.4.1
Minimum slab thickness: ACI 318-19 §26.4; driveway depths per ACI 330R-01
Material densities: TRORC Material Weight Reference Chart; The Calculator Site density tables (2024); Caterpillar Earthwork Reference Manual
Waste factor guidance: General contractor industry standard (10% concrete, 10-15% fill); supported by ACI 318-19 commentary
Footing depths: IBC 2024 §1809.5
Bag yield data: Quikrete published product data (80 lb bag yields 0.60 ft³)

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. For permitted structural work, foundations, multi-story construction, retaining walls over 4 feet, and commercial projects, calculations must be verified by a licensed structural engineer per IBC 2024 §1604. ConcreteCalculate.com is not liable for structural decisions made from these estimates.

Built by Muhammad Ramzan Babar, physics researcher (PhD candidate). Reviewed by site author.

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