About Cubic Yard Calculation
A cubic yard is a unit of volume commonly used in construction and landscaping to measure materials like soil, gravel, sand, or concrete. One cubic yard equals the volume of a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high — that’s 27 cubic feet or about 0.7646 cubic meters.
Formula
Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
Points to Consider
- Measurement Units: Keep all dimensions in the same unit (ft/in or cm/m) before converting.
- Conversion Factors: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; 1 cubic foot = 0.037037 cubic yard.
- Material Type & Compaction: Materials like soil or sand settle — add 5–15% extra volume for compaction.
- Shape of Area: Divide irregular areas into smaller rectangles or circles for accurate estimation.
- Depth Accuracy: Take multiple depth measurements to improve precision.
- Moisture Content: Wet materials can weigh more and occupy slightly less volume.
- Waste Allowance: Always include a 5–10% buffer to cover variation and wastage.
Example
A garden bed measuring 12 ft × 9 ft × 1 ft deep: (12 × 9 × 1) ÷ 27 = 4 cubic yards.