Home/Square Feet to Cubic Yards

Area to volume · Updated 2026

Square Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator: Any Material, Any Depth

Not just a math converter: select concrete, gravel, soil, mulch, sand, asphalt, or custom material and get cubic yards, bags, material cost, and weight in one step.

Square Feet to Cubic Yards Formula

yd3 = (sq ft x depth in inches) / 324

2 in: sq ft / 162. 3 in: sq ft / 108.

4 in: sq ft / 81. 6 in: sq ft / 54.

Memory trick: 1 yd3 covers 324 sq ft at 1 in, 81 sq ft at 4 in, and 27 sq ft at 12 in.

Quick convert

Square feet to cubic yards calculator

AreaEnter total square feet or a format like 20x20.Length ftWidth ftDepth

Instant result

4.94 yd3 raw

133.33 ft3 before waste.

Material layer

What material?

4 in standard residential; 6 in for driveways and heavy loads.

WastePrice / yd3Density lb/ft3

Results

5.43 yd3

400 sq ft x 4 in depth x 1.1 waste factor.

yd35.43raw 4.94

ft3146.67raw 133.33

m34.15

liters4,153

Material specifics

Material cost$977

5.43 yd3 x $180

Weight22,000 lb

11 tons

Concrete bags245 x 80 lb

or 184 Maximizer bags

Ready-mix1 truck

$977 estimate

Coverage check: at 4 in deep, 1 yd3 covers 81 sq ft. 400 sq ft / 81 = 4.94 yd3 raw.

Full Concrete Calculator

Six-way unit converter

Depth is required for area-to-volume conversions. Edit any field and the rest update live.

sq ftyd3ft3m3sq ydsq m

Common projects - click to auto-fill

Multi-zone area calculator

Add multiple areas, such as a main driveway plus a side pad, and combine raw cubic yards.

AreaDepth in

Total raw volume: 4.94 yd3

Square Feet to Cubic Yards - Complete Coverage Matrix

How many cubic yards do you need? Values include 10% waste factor.

Area (sq ft)	2 in	3 in	4 in	5 in	6 in	8 in	12 in
50 sq ft	0.34	0.51	0.68	0.85	1.03	1.37	2.06
100 sq ft	0.68	1.03	1.37	1.71	2.06	2.74	4.12
150 sq ft	1.03	1.54	2.06	2.57	3.09	4.12	6.17
200 sq ft	1.37	2.06	2.74	3.43	4.12	5.49	8.23
300 sq ft	2.06	3.09	4.12	5.14	6.17	8.23	12.35
400 sq ft	2.74	4.12	5.49	6.86	8.23	10.97	16.46
500 sq ft	3.43	5.14	6.86	8.57	10.29	13.72	20.58
600 sq ft	4.12	6.17	8.23	10.29	12.35	16.46	24.69
800 sq ft	5.49	8.23	10.97	13.72	16.46	21.95	32.92
1,000 sq ft	6.86	10.29	13.72	17.15	20.58	27.43	41.15
1,500 sq ft	10.29	15.43	20.58	25.72	30.86	41.15	61.73
2,000 sq ft	13.72	20.58	27.43	34.29	41.15	54.87	82.30

Cubic Yards to Square Feet Coverage

Cubic Yards	2 in	3 in	4 in	6 in	12 in
0.5 yd3	81 sq ft	54 sq ft	40 sq ft	27 sq ft	13 sq ft
1.0 yd3	162 sq ft	108 sq ft	81 sq ft	54 sq ft	27 sq ft
2.0 yd3	324 sq ft	216 sq ft	162 sq ft	108 sq ft	54 sq ft
3.0 yd3	486 sq ft	324 sq ft	243 sq ft	162 sq ft	81 sq ft
5.0 yd3	810 sq ft	540 sq ft	405 sq ft	270 sq ft	135 sq ft
10.0 yd3	1,620 sq ft	1,080 sq ft	810 sq ft	540 sq ft	270 sq ft

Material Coverage Quick Reference

Material	Rec. Depth	Coverage/yd3	Price/yd3
Concrete (slab)	4 inches	81 sq ft	$179.89
Concrete (drive)	6 inches	54 sq ft	$179.89
Gravel (base)	4 inches	81 sq ft	$45.00
Gravel (drive)	6 inches	54 sq ft	$45.00
Topsoil (lawn)	6 inches	54 sq ft	$35.00
Topsoil (garden)	12 inches	27 sq ft	$35.00
Mulch (landscape)	3 inches	108 sq ft	$28.00
Mulch (playground)	9 inches	36 sq ft	$28.00
Sand (paver base)	1 inch	324 sq ft	$38.00
Sand (sandbox)	4 inches	81 sq ft	$38.00
Asphalt (overlay)	3 inches	108 sq ft	$110.00
Crushed stone	6 inches	54 sq ft	$42.00

How to Convert Square Feet to Cubic Yards - Step by Step

The Formula

Method 1: yd3 = square feet x depth in inches / 324.

Method 2: yd3 = square feet x depth in feet / 27.

Why 324? One cubic yard is 27 ft3, and one foot is 12 inches, so 27 x 12 = 324 square-foot-inches per cubic yard.

Example: 20 x 20 patio at 4 in = 400 x 4 / 324 = 4.94 yd3 raw. Add 10% waste = 5.43 yd3.

Depth Conversion Shortcuts

1 in = 0.083 ft, 2 in = 0.167 ft, 3 in = 0.250 ft, 4 in = 0.333 ft.

5 in = 0.417 ft, 6 in = 0.500 ft, 8 in = 0.667 ft, 12 in = 1.000 ft.

Shortcut: 4 in concrete is sq ft / 81. 6 in concrete or gravel is sq ft / 54. 12 in soil is sq ft / 27.

For shape-based work, use the concrete cubic yards calculator, then estimate how many bags of concrete, compare ready-mix concrete prices, or use the yards to bags converter.

Common Project Areas to Cubic Yards - Quick Reference

Standard concrete at 4 inches with 10% waste unless noted. Ready-mix at $179.89/yd3.

Project	Area	Depth	Raw yd3	+10% waste	80 lb Bags	Ready-Mix Cost
Small patio	100 sq ft	4 in	1.23 yd3	1.37 yd3	62 bags	$246 + short load
Standard patio	400 sq ft	4 in	4.94 yd3	5.43 yd3	245 bags	$977
Large patio	600 sq ft	4 in	7.41 yd3	8.15 yd3	367 bags	$1,466
1-car driveway	240 sq ft	4 in	2.96 yd3	3.26 yd3	147 bags	$587 + short load
2-car driveway	640 sq ft	4 in	7.90 yd3	8.69 yd3	391 bags	$1,563
2-car garage	576 sq ft	4 in	7.11 yd3	7.82 yd3	352 bags	$1,407
Shed base	192 sq ft	4 in	2.37 yd3	2.60 yd3	117 bags	$468 + short load
Sidewalk (4x20)	80 sq ft	4 in	0.99 yd3	1.09 yd3	49 bags	$196 + short load
Basement floor	800 sq ft	4 in	9.88 yd3	10.86 yd3	489 bags	$1,953
Lawn topsoil	1,000 sq ft	6 in	18.52 yd3	21.30 yd3	-	$745 topsoil
Garden bed	200 sq ft	12 in	7.41 yd3	8.52 yd3	-	$298 topsoil
Mulch bed	500 sq ft	3 in	4.63 yd3	5.09 yd3	-	$143 mulch

Area Known

This page is the fastest route when you already know square footage and need material volume.

Need Slab Details?

Use the concrete slab calculator for slab-specific volume, waste, bags, and cost.

Need Load?

Check concrete weight per square foot when structure or transport matters.

Square Feet to Cubic Yards - Frequently Asked Questions

How do you convert square feet to cubic yards?+

Use the formula: yd3 = (square feet x depth in inches) / 324. Measure area as length x width, choose the material depth, multiply area by depth, then divide by 324. Example: 400 sq ft at 4 inches = 4.94 yd3 raw. Add 10% waste for concrete to get 5.43 yd3.

How many cubic yards are in a square foot?+

A square foot has no volume by itself; you need a depth. At 4 inches deep, 1 square foot equals 0.0123 yd3 and 1 yd3 covers 81 sq ft. At 6 inches deep, 1 yd3 covers 54 sq ft. At 12 inches deep, 1 yd3 covers 27 sq ft.

How many cubic yards of concrete for 400 square feet?+

For 400 sq ft at 4 inches thick, raw volume is (400 x 4) / 324 = 4.94 yd3. With 10% waste, order about 5.43 yd3, or round to 5.5 yd3. That is about 245 80 lb bags or 1 ready-mix truck.

How many cubic yards of mulch for 500 square feet?+

For 500 sq ft at 3 inches deep, raw volume is (500 x 3) / 324 = 4.63 yd3. With 10% waste, plan for 5.09 yd3. At $28 per yd3, material cost is about $143.

How many cubic yards of topsoil for 1,000 square feet?+

For 1,000 sq ft at 6 inches deep, raw volume is 18.52 yd3. With 15% waste or settling allowance, plan for 21.30 yd3. At $35 per yd3, material cost is about $745.

What is the difference between square yards and cubic yards?+

Square yards measure area, while cubic yards measure volume. One square yard is 9 square feet. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. To convert square yards to cubic yards, multiply square yards by depth in feet.

How many cubic yards of gravel for a 16x40 ft driveway?+

A 16x40 ft driveway is 640 sq ft. At 6 inches deep, raw gravel volume is (640 x 6) / 324 = 11.85 yd3. With 10% waste, plan for 13.03 yd3. At $45 per yd3, material cost is about $586.