How to Calculate Cubic Yardage

Calculate cubic yardage with the forumula for volume.

Because many gardening and home improvement materials are sold by the cubic yard, homeowners and gardeners must understand how to calculate cubic yardage to complete projects. When you understand that 27 cubic feet are equivalent to 1 cubic yard, the process of calculating cubic yardage becomes easier to conceptualize. The basic formula for figuring volume is to multiply length by width by depth. Perform this basic math formula to calculate cubic yardage.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure or ruler
• Pencil
• Paper
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Determine the length, width and depth measurement of the space, if necessary, using the tape measure or ruler. Measure the dimensions in either feet or yards but whatever unit of measurement you use, use it for each dimension. Write these measurements down on the paper.

2. Multiply the length measurement by the width measurement. Multiply your answer by the depth measurement. If you measured in yards, your answer is in cubic yards already. If you measured in feet, proceed to the next step.

3. Divide cubic feet by 27 to find the measurement in cubic yards. For example, if the length is 40 feet, the width is 20 feet and the depth is 2 feet, the volume will be 1,600 cubic feet (40 * 20 * 2). Divide 1,600 by 27 to get 59.25 cubic yards.

References

• Andrews University: Lateral & Surface Areas, Volume
• Washington State University: Math for Gardeners