Square Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator

Convert square feet to cubic yards by adding depth. Select material type, set waste factor, and get weight and cost estimates for bulk orders.

πŸ“ Square Feet to Cubic Yards

VOLUME

Cubic Feet166.7 cu ft
Cubic Yards6.17 cu yd
Liters4,719.5 L

MATERIAL ESTIMATE

With 10% Waste6.79 cu yd
Weight9.5 tons

COST

Total Cost$339.51

πŸ’‘ Square Feet to Cubic Yards

Square feet measure area (2D), while cubic yards measure volume (3D). To convert between them, you need depth or thickness. This calculator handles the conversion and estimates material weight and cost for 7 bulk materials. Measure your area with our square footage calculator or convert between square feet and cubic feet.

Square Feet to Cubic Yards Formula

cu yd = (sq ft Γ— depth in inches) Γ· 324

Or equivalently: cu yd = (sq ft Γ— depth in feet) Γ· 27

Step-by-step:

  1. Measure area in square feet (length Γ— width)
  2. Choose depth in inches (e.g., 4" for gravel, 6" for concrete)
  3. Multiply: sq ft Γ— depth (in) = cubic inches of coverage
  4. Divide by 324 (= 27 Γ— 12) to get cubic yards
  5. Add 10% waste for settling, spreading, and uneven surfaces

Coverage per Cubic Yard at Common Depths

DepthSq Ft per Cu YdCu Yd per 1,000 Sq Ft
1"3243.09
2"1626.17
3"1089.26
4"8112.35
6"5418.52
8"40.524.69
12"2737.04

Bulk Material Weight & Cost

MaterialTons/Cu YdTypical Cost/Cu YdTypical Depth
Gravel1.4$30–$652–4"
Sand1.35$25–$502–4"
Topsoil1.08$25–$554–6"
Mulch (wood)0.4$25–$452–3"
Concrete2.0$120–$1804–6"
Crushed stone1.3$35–$602–4"
Asphalt1.15$100–$2002–3"

Delivery note: Most suppliers require a minimum order (often 3–5 cu yd) and charge $50–$150 for delivery within 10–20 miles.

Cubic Yards to Square Feet (Reverse)

sq ft = (cu yd Γ— 324) Γ· depth (in)

Use this to figure out how much area a given amount of material will cover. Example: 5 cu yd of mulch at 3" deep: (5 Γ— 324) Γ· 3 = 540 sq ft.

How Much Concrete Do I Need?

Area (sq ft)4" Thick6" Thick
1001.23 cu yd1.85 cu yd
2002.47 cu yd3.70 cu yd
5006.17 cu yd9.26 cu yd
1,00012.35 cu yd18.52 cu yd

Standard residential slab: 4" thick. Driveways and garages: 6" thick. Always add 10% for waste.

500 sq ft at 4" deep = 6.17 cu yd. With 10% waste: 6.79 cu yd of gravel = 9.5 tons β‰ˆ $340 at $50/cu yd.

Square Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator FAQ

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