Area to volume
Square Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator
Enter your surface area and layer depth to calculate cubic yards for soil, mulch, gravel, sand or concrete.
- Inches or feet
- Metric inputs supported
- Clear calculation steps
Depth comparison
See how depth changes the quantity
Same area, different depths — calculated from your entry.
Area: . Geometric volumes before any allowance.
- 1 in deep
- 2 in deep
- 3 in deep
- 4 in deep
- 6 in deep
Doubling the depth doubles the volume.
Next step
What are you measuring for?
Continue in a material calculator for bags, weight from your supplier’s density, or buying options.
Calculate a volume above and your area and depth will be carried over.
Method
How to convert square feet to cubic yards
Three steps: area, depth in feet, then divide by 27.
Depth in inches
yd³ = sq ft × depth (in) ÷ 324
324 = 27 ft³ per yd³ × 12 in per ft.
Depth in feet
yd³ = sq ft × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Worked example: 500 square feet at 3 inches
- 3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
- 500 × 0.25 = 125.00 ft³
- 125 ÷ 27 = 4.63 yd³ (exactly 4.629630…)
With a 10% allowance: 5.09 yd³ (137.50 ft³).
Square feet to cubic yards at common depths
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ | 2.78 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ |
| 750 sq ft | 4.63 yd³ | 6.94 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ |
Geometric volumes, rounded to two decimals, before any allowance.
Next steps
Related tools and measurement guides
Calculators
Questions
Area to volume questions
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply the square footage by the depth in inches and divide by 324. Or multiply by the depth in feet and divide by 27. Example: 500 sq ft × 3 in ÷ 324 = 4.63 yd³.
Why do I need a depth?
Square feet measure a flat surface. Cubic yards measure volume, which needs a third dimension. Without a depth there is no volume to calculate, so the calculator asks for one rather than guessing.
Why is the number 324?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and a foot is 12 inches. 27 × 12 = 324, so dividing square feet × inches by 324 gives cubic yards directly.
Can I use square meters or centimeters?
Yes. Choose m² for the area and cm or m for the depth. The calculator converts everything before multiplying, and shows the result in cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters.
I only know the length and width. What should I use?
Use the cubic yard calculator, which accepts length, width and depth, several areas and other shapes.
How many square feet does 1 cubic yard of mulch cover?
Divide 324 by the depth in inches: 108 sq ft at 3 in, 162 sq ft at 2 in, 81 sq ft at 4 in. Two cubic yards cover twice that — 216 sq ft at 3 in.
How many 3 cu ft bags of mulch are in a yard?
Exactly 9, because a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. It takes 13.5 bags of 2 ft³ (buy 14).
How many cubic yards is 100, 240 or 1,000 square feet?
At 3 in deep: 100 sq ft = 0.93 yd³, 240 sq ft = 2.22 yd³ and 1,000 sq ft = 9.26 yd³ (square feet × 3 ÷ 324). Use the calculator for any other depth.
Is it the same for soil, gravel and concrete?
Yes. The volume is the same for any material; only the weight and how it is sold differ. See the material calculators for bags, density and ordering.