How to Calculate a Cubic Yard

A cubic yard is a unit of measurement that is three-dimensional, thereby making it a unit of volume and not surface area. To calculate a cubic yard, the formula is simple. Cubic yards are calculated by multiplying the length, width and height of the area. The cubic yard is equivalent to 27 cubic feet. Most topsoil, gravel and mulch products are sold by the cubic yard. Imagine how much product it would take to fill a box and that is the way to conceptualize how these items are measured.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator (optional) Pencil Paper

Instructions

1. Use the formula of length x (times) width x (times) height to find a cubic yard.

2. Determine the square foot measurement of an area to be covered by multiplying the length by the width in feet. Next, determine the depth desired in inches.

3. Multiply the total square feet by the depth in inches.

4. Divide this answer by 324. This number is the number of inches in a cubic yard. The answer will be the cubic yards necessary for determining the amount of product to fill a specific area.

Tips & Warnings

• When applying the formula, it is important to use units of measure for length, width and thickness that are all the same. Make any necessary conversions and then apply the formula. It is helpful to know and remember that twenty-seven cubic feet is equivalent to 1 cubic yard.