Cubic yard calculator (and cubic meters)
Slab, backfill, excavation, soil or gravel: enter dimensions in feet and inches (or meters), get the volume in cubic yards and m³ — with the margin to plan for.
Dimensions → volume
You know the dimensions of the area.
Convert: cubic yards ↔ cubic meters
You already know the volume, in either unit.
Multiple areas? Add them up
Driveway, walkway, slab: each area has its own dimensions AND depth. Add a section per area — the total volume adds itself up.
Formula: L × W × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Conversion: 1 yd³ = 0.7646 m³. The margin covers compaction and waste.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. If the depth is in inches, divide it by 12 first. Example: a 12 ft × 10 ft × 4 in slab = 12 × 10 × 0.333 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.48 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards in a cubic meter?
1 cubic yard = 0.7646 m³ — so 1 m³ ≈ 1.308 cubic yards. Concrete is often ordered in m³ in Canada, while fill and soil are usually sold by the yard.
Should I add a margin?
Yes: add 5 to 10% for compaction, waste and uneven ground. Our calculator shows the quantity with a 10% margin.
From volume to quote
Volume is only half the job — you still need to price machine hours, hauling per trip and materials per yard. Our quoting app for renovation contractors shows how to structure the price — and bookyoo turns it into a professional PDF in 2 minutes, taxes included. Free 7-day trial.
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