Area plus depth converter
Square Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator
Enter square feet and depth to calculate cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, weight, tons, and overage for common bulk materials.
Convert Square Feet to Cubic Yards
How to Convert Sq Ft to Cubic Yards
Square feet measures area. Cubic yards measures volume, so depth is required. Convert depth to feet, multiply by the area, then divide by 27.
Formula Explanation
The formula is square feet x depth in feet / 27 = cubic yards. A 600 square foot area at 2 inches deep is 600 x 0.167 / 27 = 3.70 cubic yards.
Common Project Examples
| Area and depth | Cubic yards |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft at 4 in | 1.23 |
| 500 sq ft at 3 in | 4.63 |
| 1,000 sq ft at 2 in | 6.17 |
Quick answer: Cubic yards = square feet x depth in feet / 27. For example, 1,000 sq ft at 3 inches deep = (1,000 x 0.25) / 27 = 9.26 cubic yards. Convert inches to feet first: divide inches by 12.
Square Feet to Cubic Yards by Depth
Cubic yards needed per 100 square feet at common depths. Scale up by area - for 500 sq ft, multiply by 5:
| Depth | Per 100 sq ft | Per 500 sq ft | Per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 0.31 | 1.54 | 3.09 |
| 2 inches | 0.62 | 3.09 | 6.17 |
| 3 inches | 0.93 | 4.63 | 9.26 |
| 4 inches | 1.23 | 6.17 | 12.35 |
| 6 inches | 1.85 | 9.26 | 18.52 |
| 8 inches | 2.47 | 12.35 | 24.69 |
| 12 inches | 3.70 | 18.52 | 37.04 |
Worked Examples
Driveway gravel: 600 sq ft at 4 inches. 4 in = 0.333 ft. (600 x 0.333) / 27 = 7.41 cubic yards. With 10 percent overage: 8.15 yards.
Mulch bed: 350 sq ft at 3 inches. 3 in = 0.25 ft. (350 x 0.25) / 27 = 3.24 cubic yards, or about 44 bags of 2 cu ft mulch (48 with 10 percent overage).
Concrete patio: 400 sq ft at 4 inches. (400 x 0.333) / 27 = 4.94 cubic yards. With overage: 5.43 yards - order 5.5 or 6.
What Depth Should You Enter?
| Material | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Mulch beds | 2 to 3 inches (4 max) |
| Decorative gravel | 2 to 3 inches |
| Driveway gravel | 4 to 6 inches total base |
| Concrete patio/slab | 4 inches |
| Concrete driveway | 4 to 6 inches |
| Topsoil for lawn | 4 to 6 inches |
| Paver bedding sand | 1 inch over prepared base |
FAQ
Multiply square feet by depth in feet, then divide by 27. Convert inches to feet before calculating.
Three inches is 0.25 feet. 1,000 x 0.25 / 27 = 9.26 cubic yards before overage.
No. You also need depth or thickness because cubic yards measure volume.
Use 2 to 3 inches for most mulch projects. Use 4 inches only when the bed needs a heavier layer.
Many patios and sidewalks use 4 inches. Driveways and heavier slabs may need 5 to 6 inches or more.
Yes. Enter the area, planned depth, and gravel material to estimate cubic yards and tons.
Yes, 10 percent extra is a useful planning amount. It helps cover compaction, waste, and uneven ground.
There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. The calculator converts that automatically.
Multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27. At 3 inches (0.25 ft): (1,000 x 0.25) / 27 = 9.26 cubic yards before overage.
About 6.17 cubic yards. Convert 4 inches to 0.333 feet, then (500 x 0.333) / 27 = 6.17 yards.
Multiply square yards by depth in yards. One square yard at 1 yard deep is 1 cubic yard. For inches, divide by 36 first (36 inches = 1 yard).
No. Square feet measures area and cubic yards measures volume, so depth is required. If you only have area, pick the depth from the guide above.
About 12.35 cubic yards. (2,000 x 0.167) / 27 = 12.35 yards before the 10 percent overage.
Divide square footage by 100 for a rough 3-inch estimate in cubic yards: 300 sq ft at 3 inches needs about 2.78 yards. The calculator gives the exact figure.