Work out how many cubic yards of concrete a job needs from feet, inches, yards or metric sizes. See the same amount in m³ for ordering in Australia, plus bags, truck loads and weight.
The calculator did not load. Refresh the page to try again.
:
| Bag | Bags |
|---|
| Truck | Holds | Loads |
|---|
Uses the low end of each truck size. Ask your supplier what they run.
Cubic Yards Of Concrete
0yd³
This concrete cubic yard calculator takes the sizes of a job and gives you the volume in cubic yards and cubic metres. It suits overseas plans, older drawings, or a tape measure marked in feet. To swap a number you already have, the cubic yards to cubic metres page is the quick route.
After the first calculation, the result updates as you type. Enter a price per m³ or per yd³ in the options to convert it and get a concrete cost.
What this tool does not do. It works out quantities. It does not choose thickness, strength or reinforcement. Those come from your plans, engineer or council, and our slab thickness guide explains the terms.
A cubic yard is a cube 1 yard (3 feet) long, wide and high. It holds 27 cubic feet, which is 3 × 3 × 3. People often shorten this to a yard of concrete, or just a yard.
The international yard has been exactly 0.9144 m since 1959. Cubing that gives the conversion used on this page.
1 yd³ = 0.9144³ m³ = 0.764555 m³
1 m³ = 1.30795 yd³
So one cubic yard is about three quarters of a cubic metre. A cube 1 m each way is a little wider than a cube 1 yard each way, but it holds about 31% more concrete.
No. Concrete in Australia is sold by the cubic metre. Metrication in Australia began with the Metric Conversion Act in 1970, and the building industry had changed over for new buildings by January 1976. You will still hear older tradies talk about yards, and old plans can be in feet and inches.
The cubic yard is still the usual unit in the United States, so it turns up in American videos, calculators and plans. That is the main reason people here need a concrete cubic yard calculator. Work out the job in whichever units you have, then give your supplier the m³ figure.
The result rounds up to the next 0.1 m³ for an Australian order. For a fuller order check, try the concrete order calculator or the concrete volume calculator.
Each formula gives cubic feet first. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
Slab: cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Footing: cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Round column: cubic yards = 3.1416 × diameter² (ft) ÷ 4 × height (ft) ÷ 27
Solid steps: cubic yards = width (ft) × going (ft) × rise (ft) × n × (n + 1) ÷ 2 ÷ 27
Metric sizes: cubic yards = volume in m³ × 1.30795
In the steps formula, n is the number of steps. The most common mistake is forgetting to change inches to feet. A 4 inch slab is 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft thick, not 4 ft. See how we calculate concrete for the site's method.
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Metres | Cubic Feet | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 0.191 m³ | 6.75 ft³ | 0.46 t |
| 0.5 | 0.382 m³ | 13.5 ft³ | 0.92 t |
| 1 | 0.765 m³ | 27 ft³ | 1.83 t |
| 2 | 1.529 m³ | 54 ft³ | 3.67 t |
| 3 | 2.294 m³ | 81 ft³ | 5.50 t |
| 4 | 3.058 m³ | 108 ft³ | 7.34 t |
| 5 | 3.823 m³ | 135 ft³ | 9.17 t |
| 7.5 | 5.734 m³ | 202.5 ft³ | 13.76 t |
| 10 | 7.646 m³ | 270 ft³ | 18.35 t |
| 20 | 15.291 m³ | 540 ft³ | 36.70 t |
| Cubic Metres | Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.65 yd³ | 17.7 ft³ |
| 1 | 1.31 yd³ | 35.3 ft³ |
| 2 | 2.62 yd³ | 70.6 ft³ |
| 3 | 3.92 yd³ | 105.9 ft³ |
| 4 | 5.23 yd³ | 141.3 ft³ |
| 5 | 6.54 yd³ | 176.6 ft³ |
| 6 | 7.85 yd³ | 211.9 ft³ |
| 8 | 10.46 yd³ | 282.5 ft³ |
| 10 | 13.08 yd³ | 353.1 ft³ |
Weight uses 2.4 t/m³, a planning figure for normal concrete that you can change in the options.
Divide the volume by the thickness to get the area one cubic yard covers.
| Thickness | Area Covered | In Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 75 mm | 10.2 m² | 110 ft² |
| 100 mm | 7.6 m² | 82 ft² |
| 4 in (102 mm) | 7.5 m² | 81 ft² |
| 125 mm | 6.1 m² | 66 ft² |
| 150 mm | 5.1 m² | 55 ft² |
| 6 in (152 mm) | 5.0 m² | 54 ft² |
| 200 mm | 3.8 m² | 41 ft² |
These figures have no extra allowance. A 4 inch slab gets about 81 square feet per yard, which is the number you often see on American sites. It equals about 7.5 m².
Thickness is where unit swaps cause the biggest errors, because a small difference runs across the whole slab.
| Inches | Millimetres | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 76.2 mm | 0.250 ft |
| 4 in | 101.6 mm | 0.333 ft |
| 5 in | 127.0 mm | 0.417 ft |
| 6 in | 152.4 mm | 0.500 ft |
| 8 in | 203.2 mm | 0.667 ft |
| 10 in | 254.0 mm | 0.833 ft |
| 12 in | 304.8 mm | 1.000 ft |
A metric slab at 100 mm is 3.94 inches, so it uses about 1.6% less concrete than a true 4 inch slab. On a metric job, use the thickness on your plans in millimetres. Don't round it to inches and back.
Length boxes in the concrete cubic yard calculator take decimals, so a size like 12 ft 9 in goes in as 12.75. Divide the inches by 12, or use this table.
| Inches | Decimal Feet | Millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.083 ft | 25.4 mm |
| 2 in | 0.167 ft | 50.8 mm |
| 3 in | 0.250 ft | 76.2 mm |
| 4 in | 0.333 ft | 101.6 mm |
| 6 in | 0.500 ft | 152.4 mm |
| 8 in | 0.667 ft | 203.2 mm |
| 9 in | 0.750 ft | 228.6 mm |
| 10 in | 0.833 ft | 254.0 mm |
| 11 in | 0.917 ft | 279.4 mm |
Thickness, going and rise boxes stay in inches when you choose feet, so enter 4 for a 4 inch slab. Choose metres and millimetres if your tape reads metric, because each conversion adds a little rounding.
This table shows some everyday metric slabs in both units, so you can get a feel for the numbers. Thickness here is only an example, because your plans set the real figure.
| Job | Size | Volume | Cubic Yards | With 10% Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small path | 10 × 1.2 m, 100 mm | 1.20 m³ | 1.57 yd³ | 1.73 yd³ |
| Shed slab | 6 × 4 m, 100 mm | 2.40 m³ | 3.14 yd³ | 3.45 yd³ |
| Single driveway | 12 × 3 m, 125 mm | 4.50 m³ | 5.89 yd³ | 6.47 yd³ |
| Double garage | 6 × 6 m, 100 mm | 3.60 m³ | 4.71 yd³ | 5.18 yd³ |
| Double driveway | 10 × 6 m, 125 mm | 7.50 m³ | 9.81 yd³ | 10.79 yd³ |
For the job itself, use the concrete driveway calculator, concrete walkway calculator or concrete slab calculator. Each one gives more detail for that shape.
These examples use the same maths as the concrete cubic yard calculator, so you can enter them and see matching results.
Each hole is 300 mm wide and 600 mm deep. Choose metric, enter 0.3 and 0.6, and set the quantity to 8.
The concrete post hole calculator also takes off the post itself, so use it for real fence posts.
The steps are 1.2 m wide, with a 300 mm going and a 170 mm rise.
The concrete steps calculator goes into more detail for stairs.
Bag sizes differ between countries, so check which bag a source means. Quikrete's data sheet gives the American yields below. For Australia, the calculator uses 0.0093 m³ per 20 kg bag, the same starting yield as the concrete bag calculator.
| Bag | Yield | Bags Per yd³ | Bags Per m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg premix (Australia) | 9.3 L | 83 | 108 |
| 80 lb (US) | 0.60 ft³ | 45 | 59 |
| 60 lb (US) | 0.45 ft³ | 60 | 79 |
| 40 lb (US) | 0.30 ft³ | 90 | 118 |
Counts are rounded up and have no extra allowance. Yield varies by product, so check the bag. The concrete bag yield calculator helps when your bag differs.
iSeekPlant lists these Australian agitator sizes. The yard figures are our conversions.
| Truck | Cubic Metres | Cubic Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Mini agitator | 2.5 to 4.5 m³ | 3.3 to 5.9 yd³ |
| Standard agitator | 6 to 8 m³ | 7.8 to 10.5 yd³ |
| Semi agitator | 9 to 12 m³ | 11.8 to 15.7 yd³ |
The result counts loads at the low end of each size, so it errs on the side of more trips. iSeekPlant's rates guide says most suppliers want at least 3 to 4 m³ per delivery, which is 3.9 to 5.2 yd³. Smaller loads may carry a short load fee. Plan bigger pours with the concrete truck calculator, and check the concrete delivery cost calculator for fees.
At our planning density of 2.4 t/m³, a cubic yard weighs about 1.83 tonnes, or 1,835 kg. A cubic metre weighs about 2.4 tonnes. Actual weight depends on the mix, so ask your supplier if it matters.
This is why a trailer is rarely a good way to move wet concrete. Even half a yard is close to a tonne. Check your trailer's rated load and your vehicle's towing limit before you pick up any concrete yourself.
Enter a price and choose its unit in the options. To convert by hand:
Price per yd³ = price per m³ × 0.7646
Price per m³ = price per yd³ × 1.308
Australian guides vary. Yellow Pages lists about $400 to $450 per m³, while iSeekPlant gives $200 to $350 per m³. In yards, $400 per m³ is about $306 per yd³.
Be careful with American price guides, since they quote US dollars per cubic yard. Our concrete cost calculator gives an Australian budget.
Volumes convert cleanly, but a design does not.
Use a concrete cubic yard calculator to turn the amount into local units, then get the design checked here.
Cement Australia's slab guide and our guide to pouring a concrete slab walk through the pour. Wet cement can burn skin, so wear gloves and boots. Cutting concrete creates silica dust, and Safe Work Australia's silica guidance is worth reading first.
For a whole slab list, including mesh and base, use the concrete slab material calculator.
Multiply length, width and thickness in feet, then divide by 27. In metric, multiply the m³ by 1.30795.
One cubic yard is 0.7646 m³, rounded from 0.764555.
One cubic metre is about 1.308 cubic yards.
27 cubic feet, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
About 7.6 m² at 100 mm thick, or about 81 square feet at 4 inches thick, before any extra.
About 4.94 cubic yards, or 3.78 m³, before any extra.
45 at Quikrete's 0.60 cubic foot yield, before any extra.
About 83, using a starting yield of 0.0093 m³ per bag. Check your bag's printed yield.
About 1.83 tonnes at a planning density of 2.4 t/m³.
iSeekPlant lists standard Australian agitators at 6 to 8 m³, which is about 7.8 to 10.5 cubic yards.
Australian suppliers work in cubic metres, so convert your amount before you ring.
Yes. This calculator adds 10% by default, and you can change it.
No. A cubic metre holds about 31% more than a cubic yard.
No. Your numbers stay in your browser and nothing is uploaded. Use Download Result PDF to keep a copy.
Figures reviewed November 2026. Sources: the international yard definition, Quikrete, iSeekPlant, Yellow Pages and the other sources linked in the sections above. Prices, yields and rules change, so treat this page as a planning guide. Read our Disclaimer and Calculator Methodology.