Cubic Yard Calculator

Inputs

Length (m)

Width (m)

Depth (mm)

Material

Approximate tons per cubic yard — actual weights vary with moisture and compaction.

Waste / Compaction Allowance (%)

For estimation purposes only. Terms of Use

Result

—

cubic yards

Cubic feet—

Cubic metres—

Estimated tons—

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

Work in consistent units: convert all three dimensions to metres (or feet).
Multiply length × width × depth to get the volume.
Convert to cubic yards: divide cubic metres by 0.7646 (or divide cubic feet by 27). Add waste, then multiply by tons per cubic yard for the material weight.

Formula Used

Volume (m³) = Length × Width × Depth
Cubic yards = m³ ÷ 0.7646
Tons = Cubic yards × Material density × (1 + Waste %)

Worked Example

A 10m × 5m area at 150mm deep with gravel (1.55 t/yd³) and 5% waste:

Volume = 10 × 5 × 0.15 = 7.5 m³ = 9.8 yd³
Tons = 9.8 × 1.55 × 1.05 = 15.9 tons

When to Use This Calculator

Use this when ordering bulk materials — topsoil, sand, gravel, crushed stone — where suppliers quote in cubic yards and you need to confirm volumes and tonnage for trucks.

When Not to Use This Calculator

Actual material weights vary by moisture, gradation, and compaction. For contract quantities, confirm densities with the supplier's tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic yards do I need for a 10×10 area? ▾

At 100mm deep (4 inches), a 10×10 ft area is about 1.2 yd³; at 150mm (6 inches) it's about 1.85 yd³. Enter your units in the calculator for an exact answer.

How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel? ▾

Roughly 1.5 tons per loose cubic yard for typical gravel, but it varies with moisture and stone type — 1.3 to 1.7 is the practical range.