Planning the right amount of material helps reduce extra trips, shortages, and unnecessary waste. Use the steps below to estimate how many cubic yards your project may require.
Step 1: Measure Your Project Area
Measure the length and width of the area in feet. Then decide how deep you want the material in inches.
For irregularly shaped areas, divide the project into smaller sections, calculate each section separately, and add the totals together.
Step 2: Calculate Cubic Yards
Use this formula:
Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in inches ÷ 324 = Cubic Yards
Example:
For an area that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 3 inches deep:
20 x 10 x 3 ÷ 324 = 1.85 cubic yards
You may want to order slightly more material to account for settling, compaction, uneven ground, and measurement differences.
Coverage Guide
One cubic yard will cover approximately
- 324 square feet at 1 inch deep
-
162 square feet at 2 inches deep
- 108 square feet at 3 inches deep
- 81 square feet at 4 inches deep
- 54 square feet at 6 inches deep
Cubic Yards and Tons Are Not the Same
A cubic yard measures volume, while a ton measures weight. The weight of one cubic yard varies depending on the type of material, particle size, and moisture content.
Most of our bulk materials are sold by weight using our certified scale. Contact PRO Aggregate before ordering if you need help converting your estimated cubic yards into tons for a specific material.
Need Help With Your Estimate?
Bring us the approximate length, width, and desired depth of your project area. Our team can help estimate the amount of material you may need.
Estimates are provided as a helpful guide. Actual quantities may vary based on site conditions, compaction, material type, and installation method.
Call us at (530)342-8028 or visit us at 3668 Hicks Lane in Chico.
Build with the PRO's.