Online Cubic Yards Calculator

Cubic Yards Calculator finds the volume of common shapes in cubic yards, feet, and meters and estimates material cost — fast and signup-free.

Options

$
Result
Cubic Yards 0.29834 yd³
Cubic Feet 8.05511 ft³
Cubic Meters 0.2281
Price ($) 2.98337

What Is This Tool?

The Cubic Yards Calculator works out the volume of a shape from its dimensions and returns the result in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters at the same time. It supports seven shapes — square, rectangle, rectangle with borders, circle, circle border, round with borders, triangle, and trapezoid — and lets you enter measurements in either centimeters or inches. You can also add a quantity and unit price to turn the volume into a quick material cost estimate, then download the result as a PDF.

How to Use This Tool?

  • Select the shape that matches your area using the shape icons at the top.
  • Toggle metric or imperial, then enter the required dimensions and the depth.
  • Optionally enter quantity, price, and price-per-unit under Options for a cost estimate.
  • Click Calculate to see the volume in all three units, then download the PDF if needed.

Key Features

  • Seven shape modes: square, rectangle, rectangle with borders, round (circle and circle border), round with borders, triangle, and trapezoid.
  • Outputs volume in three units at once — cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters.
  • Metric/imperial switch lets you enter dimensions in centimeters or inches with automatic conversion.
  • Material cost estimate from quantity, unit price, and price-per-unit (cubic yard, foot, or meter).
  • One-click PDF download of the calculated result.

Examples

  • A square slab 49 cm per side at 95 cm depth returns its volume across cubic yards, feet, and meters.
  • A rectangular bed measuring 49 × 95 cm at 95 cm depth uses length × width × depth.
  • A circle 49 cm in diameter at 95 cm depth uses π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth.
  • A triangle with 7, 6, and 5 cm sides at 95 cm depth uses Heron's formula for the area, then multiplies by depth.

Common Use Cases

  • Estimating concrete needed for slabs, footings, or pads.
  • Calculating soil, mulch, or compost for garden beds and borders.
  • Sizing gravel or aggregate fill for paths and driveways.
  • Working out fill volume for round, bordered, or trapezoidal planters and tanks.
  • Budgeting a material purchase by converting volume into a cost estimate.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Pick one measurement system before entering values and keep all dimensions consistent.
  • Use the depth field for the full thickness of material, not just the surface dimensions.
  • For bordered shapes, enter the inner dimensions and the border width in their separate labeled fields.
  • Add a small overage to your quantity to cover compaction, settling, or waste.
  • Match the price-per-unit setting to how your supplier quotes — per cubic yard, foot, or meter.

Limitations

  • It covers seven preset shapes only; irregular or composite areas must be split and added up manually.
  • Results assume exact measurements and a uniform depth, and don't account for slope, compaction, or settling.
  • The cost figure is a simple price × quantity × volume estimate and excludes tax, delivery, and waste.
  • Nothing is saved between sessions — only the current result can be exported as a PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it only calculate cubic yards?
No — despite the name, it shows the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters at the same time.
Can I enter measurements in inches instead of centimeters?
Yes. Use the metric/imperial switch and your values are converted automatically.
How is the price calculated?
It multiplies your unit price by the quantity and the volume in the unit you choose — cubic yard, foot, or meter.
Which shapes are supported?
Square, rectangle, rectangle with borders, circle, circle border, round with borders, triangle, and trapezoid.

Key Terminology

Volume
The amount of three-dimensional space a shape occupies, expressed here in cubic units.
Depth
The thickness or height of material, multiplied by the area to produce volume.
Cubic yard
A unit of volume equal to a cube one yard on each side, commonly used for bulk materials.
Border width
The thickness of the surrounding frame in bordered shapes, added around the inner area.
Heron's formula
A method for finding a triangle's area from the lengths of its three sides.

Quick Knowledge Check

Which units does the calculator output?
For a bordered rectangle, which values do you enter?
How is a triangle's area found before multiplying by depth?