Quick answer
The essential construction conversions: 1 yard = 3 feet, 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 square yard = 9 square feet, 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, and 1 meter = 3.28084 feet. Use our conversion calculators for instant results.
Length conversions
Length is the most basic measurement in construction. Here are the key US customary and metric conversions:
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Inches | Feet | ÷ 12 (divide) |
| Feet | Inches | × 12 |
| Yards | Feet | × 3 |
| Feet | Yards | ÷ 3 (divide) |
| Meters | Feet | × 3.28084 |
| Feet | Meters | × 0.3048 |
| Centimeters | Feet | × 0.0328 |
| Meters | Yards | × 1.0936 |
Example: A wall that is 10 feet 6 inches long: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5, so the wall is 10.5 feet. Always convert to a single unit before multiplying for area or volume.
Area conversions
Area measures 2D surfaces (floors, walls, lawns). The key conversions:
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Square inches | Square feet | ÷ 144 (divide) |
| Square feet | Square inches | × 144 |
| Square feet | Square yards | ÷ 9 (divide) |
| Square yards | Square feet | × 9 |
| Square feet | Square meters | × 0.0929 |
| Square meters | Square feet | × 10.764 |
| Acres | Square feet | × 43,560 |
| Square feet | Acres | ÷ 43,560 (divide) |
Example: A 12 × 10 room is 120 sq ft = 13.33 sq yd = 11.15 sq m. A 0.25-acre lot is 10,890 sq ft.
Volume conversions
Volume measures 3D quantities (concrete, mulch, gravel, dirt). These are the most important conversions for material ordering:
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic inches | Cubic feet | ÷ 1,728 (divide) |
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards | ÷ 27 (divide) |
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | × 27 |
| Cubic feet | Cubic meters | × 0.0283 |
| Cubic meters | Cubic feet | × 35.315 |
| Cubic yards | Cubic meters | × 0.7646 |
| Cubic meters | Cubic yards | × 1.308 |
Example: A 10 × 10 × 0.5 foot (6 inch) pour is 50 cubic feet = 1.85 cubic yards = 1.42 cubic meters.
Square feet to cubic yards conversion
To convert square feet (area) to cubic yards (volume), you need a depth. The formula: cubic yards = square feet × depth (inches) ÷ 324. The 324 comes from 27 × 12, combining the cubic-feet-to-yards and inches-to-feet conversions.
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 |
| 2 inches | 162 |
| 3 inches | 108 |
| 4 inches | 81 |
| 6 inches | 54 |
| 12 inches | 27 |
Use our free square feet to cubic yards converter for instant results.
Weight conversions for materials
To convert volume (cubic yards) to weight (US tons), multiply by the material’s density. Common densities:
| Material | US tons per cubic yard | lb per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete (solid) | 2.025 | 4,050 |
| Gravel (loose, dry) | 1.40 | 2,800 |
| Sand (loose, dry) | 1.35 | 2,700 |
| Topsoil (loose) | 1.00 | 2,000 |
| Fill dirt (compacted) | 1.25 | 2,500 |
| Mulch (bark) | 0.30 | 600 |
| Asphalt (compacted HMA) | 1.96 | 3,915 |
Use our cubic yards to tons converter or tons to cubic yards converter for material-specific results.
Metric to US customary conversion
If you’re working with metric plans or products, here are the key conversions to US customary units:
| Metric | US customary | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 meter | 3.281 feet | × 3.28084 |
| 1 centimeter | 0.394 inches | × 0.3937 |
| 1 square meter | 10.764 sq ft | × 10.764 |
| 1 cubic meter | 35.315 cu ft | × 35.315 |
| 1 cubic meter | 1.308 cu yd | × 1.308 |
| 1 kilogram | 2.205 pounds | × 2.205 |
| 1 metric tonne | 1.102 US tons | × 1.102 |
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators and converters
For instant conversions, browse our unit conversion calculators. For project calculations, use the square footage calculator or cubic yard calculator.