How to Calculate Cubic Yards

To determine the amount of concrete it takes to pour a foundation for a construction project, you may need to calculate cubic yards. The cubic yard is a unit of volume which is equivalent to 27 cubic feet. To calculate cubic yards is an easy task once you know the formula and the project measurements.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Find the cubic yards of concrete needed to add an additional driveway stall that is 44 feet long, 8 feet wide and has a thickness of 4 inches (after pouring the concrete).

2. Convert the thickness measurement of 4 inches to feet. Since 12 inches = 1 foot, you divide the 4 inches by 12 inches and get .33 feet.

3. Use the formula (Length X Width X Thickness) to find the cubic footage. From Step 1 and Step 2, Length= 44 feet, Width= 8 feet and the Thickness=.33 feet. Use the formula to get 44 feet X 8 feet X .33 feet = 116.16 cubic feet.

4. Calculate the cubic yards for this project by converting the cubic feet in Step 3. Since one cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet you then divide 116.16 by 27 i.e., (116.16÷ 27) = 4.3 cubic yards. You need 4.3 cubic yards of concrete for this driveway project.

Tips & Warnings

• When using the formula in Step 3, make sure that the units of measure for length, width and thickness are all in the same units. Make the necessary conversions by using your conversion tables (see the Resources); then you just apply the formula.

Resources

• Get information here on conversion tables.