You decided to become a professional gardener on a beautiful Saturday morning. So you left your house, went to your garden, and started working.
You are proud of the soil bed you built for your plants, but now you need to fill it with soil. But wait, how much of it do you need?
That’s where a cubic yard calculator becomes a handy tool. Materials like mulch, soil, and concrete are often sold by cubic yards, and estimating the correct amount will save you money.
Cubic Yard Calculator
A cubic yard is a unit of volume measuring three feet long by three feet wide by three feet high. It’s a volume of a cube. You’ll need to measure the length, width, and depth of the area you wish to fill or cover.
With these measurements, our cubic yard calculator can quickly tell you how many cubic yards of material you’ll need to complete your project without guesswork.
To start, you’ll need three measurements:
- Length (in feet)
- Width (in feet)
- Height/Depth (in feet)
| Measurement | Description |
|---|---|
| Length | The longest side of the area |
| Width | The shorter side, perpendicular to length |
| Height/Depth | How thick or deep the material layer will be |
How To Use The Calculator
- Select the shape of the object you want to calculate
- Input the length, width, and height/depth into the calculator.
- Review your inputs for accuracy.
How To Calculate Cubic Yards Of Cuboid
To find the cubic yards of a cuboid, such as a concrete slab or a planter box, you’ll first calculate the volume in cubic feet using length × width × height and then use the conversion factor 1/27 to switch to cubic yards.
Formula:
Volume = Length × Width × Height/DepthExample: If you have an area that is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 0.5 feet deep, you would calculate the volume as follows:
Volume = 10 ft × 5 ft × 0.5 ft = 25 cubic feetSince there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, you’d then convert this to:
25 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yardsSo, you’d need approximately 0.93 cubic yards of material for your project.
If this calculation sounds like a headache, use our cubic yard calculator for precise conversions to save time and purchase just the right material for your project.
How To Calculate Cubic Yards Of Cylinder
To calculate a cylinder’s cubic yards, you’ll use the following formula and then convert the resulting cubic feet to cubic yards by multiplying by 1/27.
Formula:
Volume = π × radius² × height/depth
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet × 1/27Example:
Say you have a cylindrical water feature in your garden. It’s 4 feet in radius and 5 feet in height.
Volume = π × 4² × 5 = π × 16 × 5 ≈ 251.33 cubic feetNow convert to cubic yards:
251.33 cubic feet × 1/27 ≈ 9.31 cubic yardsTips for Accurate Measurement
When measuring for cubic yards, precision is key. Here are some steps to ensure your measurements are as accurate as possible:
- Use a tape measure and extend it from one end to the other.
- Ensure the tape is straight and level for a precise reading.
- If the depth varies, take multiple measurements at different points and calculate the average.
- Use the same measuring tool for all dimensions to avoid discrepancies.
- If your area isn’t a perfect rectangle or square, break it into smaller sections. Calculate the volume of each section, then add them together for the total.
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