Cubic Yards Calculator

When creating and implementing a construction or landscaping project, a cubic yard calculator is often necessary. Such a tool helps you to calculate cubic yards and determine the amount of materials such as gravel, crushed stone, pebble, cement, sand, and mulch you will need to fill a specific volume.

The cubic yards calculator calculates the volume of objects with a square, rectangle, rectangular frame, circle, circular frame, triangle, and trapezoid at their base. Yards calculator multiplies the area of these shapes by the depth or height of those shapes and gets the results, which it can represent in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.

The yardage calculator accepts inches, feet, centimeters, and meters as units of measurement. And you can enter all of the object's measurements in different units - the yard calculator will do the conversion itself.

The online cubic yard calculator can calculate the cost of materials based on the price per cubic foot, cubic yard, or cubic meter of aggregate.

Applications

The importance of the cubic yard calculator in construction and landscaping is vast. It saves builders and contractors time and money by helping them determine material quantities. Such a tool can help you budget accurately and plan your design or construction work.

A cubic yard calculator can come in handy in construction to calculate the amount of concrete needed for a slab, wall, foundation, or column. We can use it to calculate the volume of any filler. As a result, builders use a more precise amount of material when implementing a plan, which can help reduce waste and stay within budget.

Practical Examples

Let's discuss the formulas and area calculations used in the calculator so you can understand how to calculate cubic yards.

Square Area and Rectangle Area

First, let's look at the differences between square and rectangular bases. We can calculate the base area of a square by squaring the length of the side since the sides of a square are equal. To calculate the area of a rectangle, you must multiply the length by the width. We can use the following formulas to do this:

Square Area (yd²) = Length²

Rectangle Area (yd²) = Length × Width

After that, to measure the volume, we multiply the resulting base area by the height or depth of the object we have. To calculate cubic yards, we can use this formula:

Volume (yd³) = Area × Depth

If we want to go into more detail about the area, we can use this formula for a square area:

Volume (yd³) = (Side Length²) × Depth

And for a rectangular area:

Volume (yd³) = (Length × Width) × Depth

Consider the following scenario. We have an area of soil that we want to cover with mulch to retain moisture in the soil, improve air exchange at the roots, and improve soil structure. It is a rectangular area with sides 3 feet wide by 10 feet long. And we want to fill it with a 2-inch layer of mulch.

Let's start by determining the area by multiplying the length by the width.

Rectangle Area (ft²) = Length × Width = 10 × 3 = 30 (ft²)

Then we multiply that value by the height and get the volume. It is important to remember to convert inches to feet in order to make calculations in homogeneous units. 2 inches equals 0.166667 feet.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth = 30 × 0.166667 = 5.00001 (ft³)

The cubic yard calculator will instantly give us this information in three units.

Answer

• Cubic Yards = 0.19 yd³
• Cubic Feet = 5 ft³
• Cubic Meters = 0.14 m³

And the main thing is that we don't have to convert inches to feet by ourselves when working with this calculator. The cubic yard calculator will do it for us.

Rectangle Border Area

In the situation of calculating the curb, we need more calculations. Let's look at the algorithm this calculator uses.

It calculates the area of the inside area based on length and width. Then it calculates the area of the outer area based on the curb data entered. It simply adds the border value to the inside length and width. Then it subtracts the inside area from the outside area, getting the border area. And it multiplies the area by the depth or height, giving us volume data.

Let's see what formulas are used in this process.

Calculating the area of the outer and inner areas:

Inner Area (ft²) = Inner Length × Inner Width

Outer Area (ft²) = (Inner Length + border × 2) × (Inner Width + border × 2)

Calculating the difference between them:

Border Area (ft²) = Outer Area (ft²) - Inner Area (ft²)

And finally, calculate the volume:

Volume (ft³) = Depth (ft) × Border Area (ft²)

Let's calculate the volume of decorative forms we will need to fill with concrete for our garden project. In this case, the designer sent us measurements in meters and centimeters, and we will demonstrate how we can take advantage of the conversion.

The dimensions of the interior area are 1 (m) × 0.3 (m). The width of the border is 0.05 (m). The form's height is 0.3 (m).

Inner Area (m²) = Inner Length × Inner Width = 1 × 0.3 = 0.3 (m²)

Outer Area (m²) = (Inner Length + border × 2) × (Inner Width + border × 2) = (1 + 0.05 × 2) × (0.3 + 0.05 × 2) = 1.1 × 0.4 = 0.44 (m²)

Border Area (m²) = Outer Area (m²) - Inner Area (m²) = 0.44 - 0.3 = 0.14 (m²)

Volume (m³) = Depth (m) × Border Area (m²) = 0.3 × 0.14 = 0.042 (m³)

To convert cubic meters to cubic feet, we multiply the result by 35.3147.

Volume (ft³) = Volume (m³) × 35.3147 = 0.042 × 35.3147 = 1.4832174 (ft³)

To convert cubic meters to cubic yards, we multiply the result by 1.30795.

Volume (yd³) = Volume (m³) × 1.30795 = 0.042 × 1.30795 = 0.0549339 (yd³)

The yard calculator will give us the same data but in different units in less than a second:

Answer

• Cubic Yards = 0.05 yd³
• Cubic Feet = 1.48 ft³
• Cubic Meters = 0.04 m³

Circle Area

Let's move on to circular areas. To calculate the volume of an object with a circular base, we need another version of the formula for calculating area. First, we calculate the area of a circle using the following formula:

Area (ft²) = π × (Diameter / 2)²

If you have a circle radius, you can apply another formula:

Area (ft²) = π × r²

And then, multiply the area obtained by the depth or height of our object, getting the volume.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

The result is volume expressed in cubic feet.

Let's look at an example from the field of landscape design. We have a circular area for an ornamental rock garden with a diameter of 10 feet. We want to fill it with a 2-inch layer of gravel.

First, we must determine the area by multiplying the number π (3.14) by the diameter divided by 2 squared.

Area (ft²) = π × (Diameter / 2)² = 3.14 × (10 / 2)² = 3.14 × 25 = 78.5 (ft²)

This calculation will result in an area of 78.5 square feet.

Then we convert the depth measurement from inches to feet (2 inches equals 0.166667 feet).

Now take the area of 78.5 square feet and multiply it by 0.166667 ft.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth = 78.5 × 0.166667 = 13.0833595 (ft³)

As a result of the calculations, we got 13.0833595 cubic feet - the volume to be filled with gravel.

The calculator gave us the following value:

Answer

• Cubic Yards = 0.48 yd³
• Cubic Feet = 13.09 ft³
• Cubic Meters = 0.37 m³

Circle Border Area

Let's talk about circular boundary areas, also known as ring areas. This area is ring-shaped and has both an outer and inner diameter. To calculate the area of such areas, our calculator first takes the data of the inner circle and calculates the area of that circle.

Inner Area (ft²) = π × (Inner Diameter/2)²

Then it calculates the diameter and area of the outer circle based on the data of the circle and the border.

Outer Diameter = Inner Diameter + (Border Width × 2)

Outer Area (ft²) = π × (Outer Diameter/2)²

By subtracting the Outer Diameter's area from the inner diameter's area, you can determine the area of the circular border base.

Area (ft²) = Outer Area - Inner Area

Next, he multiplies the base area by the depth to get the volume.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

Let's look at an example for clarity.

A circular flowerbed surrounded by a concrete border will be installed in a park. The inside diameter of the mold is 6 feet, the border is 6 inches, and the height is 10 inches. We need to calculate the volume of the mold to figure out how much concrete will be required to fill it.

First, let's calculate the area of the inner circumference.

Inner Area (ft²) = π × (Inner Diameter/2)² = 3.14 × (6 / 2)² = 28.26 (ft²)

Let's calculate the radius and area of the outer circle. To do this, we need to convert the border's size into feet.

Outer Diameter = Inner Diameter + (Border Width × 2) = 6 + (0.5 × 2) = 6 + 1 = 7 ft

Outer Area (ft²) = π × (Outer Diameter / 2)² = 3.14 × (7 / 2)² = 38.465 (ft²)

Let's determine the area of the circular base by subtracting the inner circle's area from the outer circle's area.

Area (ft²) = Outer Area - Inner Area = 38.465 - 28.26 = 10.205 (ft²)

And finally, we can calculate our mold's volume by multiplying the base's area by the mold's height or depth. Remember to convert the height of 10 inches into feet and get 0.833333 feet.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth = 10.205 × 0.833333 = 8.504163265 (ft³)

The answer is given by our calculator in a flash and without cumbersome calculations and unit conversions:

Answer

• Cubic Yards = 0.32 yd³
• Cubic Feet = 8.51 ft³
• Cubic Meters = 0.24 m³

Triangle Area

The following formula is used in geometry to determine the area of a triangle:

$$Area\ (ft^{2})=\frac{1}{4}×\sqrt[2]{(a+b+c)×(b+c-a)×(c+a-b)×(a+b-c)}$$

Then by multiplying the area by the height or depth of the object, we get its volume.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

Let's study an example from the field of design. Suppose our designer created a design for a creative concrete bollard with a triangular base that would be the basis for an unusual bench. The base has an equilateral triangle with a side length of 3 feet. And its height will be 1.5 feet. Let's calculate the volume of concrete that we will need to use to create such a bollard.

$$Area\ (ft^{2})=\frac{1}{4}×\sqrt[2]{(a+b+c)×(b+c-a)×(c+a-b)×(a+b-c)}=\frac{1}{4}×\sqrt[2]{9 × 3 × 3 × 3}=\frac{1}{4}×\sqrt[2]{243}=\frac{1}{4}×15.5884572681199=3.897114317029974$$

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth = 3.897114317029974 × 1.5 = 5.845671475544961 (ft³)

The calculator instantly gives us the following results:

• Cubic Yards = 0.22 yd³
• Cubic Feet = 5.85 ft³
• Cubic Meters = 0.17 m³

Trapezoid Area

To determine the area of a trapeziod, the following formula is applied:

Area (ft²) = ((a + b) / 2) h

In this formula, a is the length of the smaller base of the trapezoid, b is the length of the larger base of the trapezoid, and h is the height of the trapezoid.

And having information about the area of a trapezoid at our disposal, we can easily and quickly find out the volume of an object with that trapezoid at its base. Let's apply this formula, which we already know very well.

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth

Let's examine another example. Our client has a small trapezoidal-shaped area on his garden plot that he would like to fill with gravel to a height of 2 inches. The length of the smaller side of the court is 5 feet, the length of the larger side is 7 feet, and the distance between them is 8 feet. Let's calculate the amount of gravel we need to use for this.

First, let's calculate the area of the trapezoidal base using the formula:

Area (ft²) = ((a + b) / 2) h = ((5 + 7) / 2) 8 = 48 (ft²)

Now we multiply the area of the base by the depth to get the volume. Before doing this, we convert 2 inches into the corresponding feet by multiplying by 0.0833333

Volume (ft³) = Area × Depth = 0.166667 × 48 = 8.000016 (ft³)

The yards calculator instantly gives us the following results:

• Cubic Yards = 0.30 yd³
• Cubic Feet = 8 ft³
• Cubic Meters = 0.23 m³

Conclusion

Calculating cubic yards manually is not as difficult. If you use the correct formulas and measurements, it can be done quickly and without much efforts.

But the convenience of the calculator is that you don't have to keep formulas in your head to calculate or convert measurement units to uniform ones. And in the end, the calculator produces results in both imperial and metric units.

Whether working on a landscape design or a construction project, using the cubic yard calculator, you can quickly and accurately calculate the number of cubic yards needed for any area and depth.