How To Measure Yards Of Soil Calculator

Instantly calculate cubic yards, cubic feet, and approximate tons of soil for your project – free and no sign‑up required.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Instant results

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How to use it

  1. Enter length, width (ft) and depth (in) of the area.
  2. Click “Calculate” to get results.
  3. Review cubic yards, cubic feet, and estimated tons.
  4. Use the numbers to order soil or plan your project.

The Soil Yard Calculator turns the dimensions of your garden, lawn or construction site into the three measurements suppliers use. You input the length and width in feet and the depth in inches; the tool instantly converts them to cubic feet, then to cubic yards – the unit most bulk‑soil vendors quote. It also multiplies the yard figure by the industry‑standard 1.3 US tons per cubic yard, giving you an approximate weight. Knowing cubic yards tells you how many truckloads to order, while cubic feet helps you visualize the fill depth. The ton estimate lets you compare pricing across vendors that charge by weight. All results appear in a clean table, so you can copy the numbers directly into a quote request or project plan.

Pro tips

  • Add 5‑10% extra volume to cover settling and compaction.
  • Round up the cubic yards to the nearest whole number for ordering.
  • Confirm the supplier’s density; the 1.3 tons per cubic yard is a typical estimate.
  • Double‑check depth conversion from inches to feet before entering data.

Real-life examples

  • A homeowner plans a new flower bed and needs to know how much topsoil to purchase.
  • A landscaper is filling a backyard patio area and wants the correct truckload count.
  • A contractor estimates the fill material for a foundation trench before ordering deliveries.

Case study

Mike needed 2 × 4 ft garden beds 6 in deep. Using the calculator, he entered 2, 4, and 6 and got 0.44 cubic yards (≈0.57 tons). He ordered 1 cubic yard, avoiding a costly second delivery and finished the beds on schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert depth in inches to feet for the calculator?
Enter the depth as inches; the calculator handles the conversion internally, so you don’t need to convert manually.
Why does the ton estimate differ from the supplier’s weight?
The tool uses a standard 1.3 US tons per cubic yard; actual soil density can vary, so the ton figure is an approximation.
Can I use the calculator for sand or gravel?
Yes, but adjust the weight factor—sand and gravel have different densities than typical garden soil.
Do I need to include a waste factor?
It’s best to add 5‑10 % extra volume to cover settling and spillage before ordering.
Is the result in cubic yards or cubic meters?
The calculator outputs cubic yards and cubic feet; it does not provide metric units.