By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Supplier quotes are in cubic yards, but plans are measured in square feet. The bridge is depth: square feet × depth in feet gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 gives cubic yards. This calculator also reports 40 lb and 60 lb bag counts for small jobs.
Convert a measured area and depth into cubic yards of material.
Cubic yards = (sq ft × depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27
Because 27 = 12 × 2.25, the shortcut is sq ft × depth ÷ 324. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at one inch deep, 108 square feet at three inches and 81 square feet at four inches.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Area in square feet. |
| D | Depth in inches. |
| V | Volume in cubic yards. |
600 × 3 ÷ 324 = 5.56 cubic yards. With 10% waste, order 6.25 cubic yards — usually rounded to 6.5 at the yard.
Continue with the Board Foot Calculator, Cubic Yard Calculator, Gallons per Square Foot Calculator, or the Size to Weight Calculator (Rectangular Box) — or browse more construction converters and all construction calculators.
324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches, 81 at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches.
Results use standard construction estimating arithmetic: volumes from measured area and depth, unit weights from published material densities, and code-referenced spans or clearances where the page names a code. Quantities are rounded up to whole saleable units and include the stated waste allowance. These tools are planning aids, not structural design, and do not replace a licensed engineer, a local code check, or a contractor's site measurement.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026