Quick answer
Square feet to cubic yards: cu yd = sq ft × depth (inches) ÷ 324. A 10 × 10 area at 6 inches = 1.85 cubic yards. Use the free cubic yard calculator or square feet to cubic yards converter.
Square feet to cubic yards calculator formula
Cubic yards = Square feet × Depth (inches) ÷ 324
Or: cubic yards = square feet × (depth inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Same math — the 324 shortcut folds both conversions into one step.
Coverage table (sq ft per cubic yard)
| Depth | Sq ft per cu yd | Cu yd per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 0.31 |
| 2 in | 162 | 0.62 |
| 3 in | 108 | 0.93 |
| 4 in | 81 | 1.23 |
| 6 in | 54 | 1.85 |
| 12 in | 27 | 3.70 |
Worked examples
- Concrete slab: 12 × 12 at 4 in → 144 × 4 ÷ 324 = 1.78 cu yd (+5–10% waste).
- Mulch bed: 200 sq ft at 3 in → 200 × 3 ÷ 324 = 1.85 cu yd (~25 bags of 2 cu ft mulch).
- Gravel path: 100 sq ft at 2 in → 0.62 cu yd.
Material-specific tools: gravel calculator, dirt calculator.
Cubic yards to square feet (reverse)
Square feet = (Cubic yards × 27) ÷ Depth (feet)
| Cubic yards | Depth | Coverage (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 in | 162 |
| 1 | 4 in | 81 |
| 1 | 6 in | 54 |
| 5 | 4 in | 405 |
| 10 | 3 in | 1,080 |
Related guides
Basics: how to calculate cubic yards. Weight: cubic yards to tons guide. Concrete bags: concrete calculator guide. Mulch: mulch calculator guide.