Yardage Calculation

Yardage Calculator

" + volumeCubicYards.toFixed(2) + " cubic yards

Understanding Yardage Calculation for Landscaping Projects

Whether you're planning a new garden bed, laying a patio, or spreading mulch, accurately calculating the amount of material you need is crucial. This is where a yardage calculator comes in handy. It helps you determine the volume of material, such as soil, gravel, sand, or mulch, required to cover a specific area at a desired depth. Over-ordering can lead to wasted material and money, while under-ordering can cause delays and extra delivery fees.

What is Yardage?

In landscaping and construction, "yardage" refers to the volume of material measured in cubic yards. A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to the volume of a cube with sides one yard (or three feet) in length. This is the standard unit for bulk landscaping materials.

How to Use the Yardage Calculator

Our Yardage Calculator simplifies the process of determining your material needs. Follow these steps:

1. Measure the Length: Determine the length of the area you wish to cover. Input this value into the "Length of Area" field and select the appropriate unit (feet or meters).
2. Measure the Width: Determine the width of the area. Input this value into the "Width of Area" field and select the appropriate unit (feet or meters).
3. Determine Desired Depth: Decide how deep you want the material to be. This is critical for materials like mulch, soil, or gravel. Input this value into the "Desired Material Depth" field and select the appropriate unit (inches, feet, centimeters, or meters).
4. Calculate: Click the "Calculate Yardage" button. The calculator will instantly display the total cubic yards of material you need.

The Formula Behind the Calculation

The calculator uses a straightforward volume formula, with unit conversions to ensure accuracy:

1. Convert all measurements to feet: Regardless of the input units (inches, cm, meters), all dimensions are first converted into feet.
   • 1 foot = 12 inches
   • 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters
   • 1 meter = 3.28084 feet
2. Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet: Once all dimensions are in feet, the volume is calculated as:
   Volume (cubic feet) = Length (feet) × Width (feet) × Depth (feet)
3. Convert to Cubic Yards: Since there are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard (3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet = 27 cubic feet), the final step is to divide the cubic feet by 27:
   Volume (cubic yards) = Volume (cubic feet) / 27

Practical Examples

Let's look at a couple of scenarios:

Example 1: Mulching a Flower Bed

• Area Length: 25 feet
• Area Width: 8 feet
• Desired Mulch Depth: 3 inches
• Calculation:
  • Length in feet: 25 ft
  • Width in feet: 8 ft
  • Depth in feet: 3 inches / 12 = 0.25 ft
  • Volume (cubic feet) = 25 ft × 8 ft × 0.25 ft = 50 cubic feet
  • Volume (cubic yards) = 50 cubic feet / 27 ≈ 1.85 cubic yards
• Result: You would need approximately 1.85 cubic yards of mulch.

Example 2: Laying a Gravel Path

• Area Length: 15 meters
• Area Width: 1.2 meters
• Desired Gravel Depth: 10 centimeters
• Calculation:
  • Length in feet: 15 m × 3.28084 ft/m ≈ 49.21 ft
  • Width in feet: 1.2 m × 3.28084 ft/m ≈ 3.94 ft
  • Depth in feet: 10 cm / 30.48 cm/ft ≈ 0.33 ft
  • Volume (cubic feet) = 49.21 ft × 3.94 ft × 0.33 ft ≈ 64.05 cubic feet
  • Volume (cubic yards) = 64.05 cubic feet / 27 ≈ 2.37 cubic yards
• Result: You would need approximately 2.37 cubic yards of gravel.

Tips for Accurate Measurement

• Measure Carefully: Always double-check your measurements. Even small errors can lead to significant differences in material quantity.
• Irregular Shapes: For irregularly shaped areas, break them down into simpler rectangles or squares, calculate the yardage for each section, and then add them together.
• Account for Compaction: Some materials, especially gravel or soil, may compact over time. It's often wise to add a small percentage (e.g., 5-10%) to your total for settling, especially for driveways or paths.
• Material Specifics: Different materials have different densities and coverage rates. While the calculator gives you volume, always confirm with your supplier if they have specific recommendations for depth or coverage for their products.

Using this yardage calculator will help you plan your landscaping projects more efficiently, saving you time, effort, and money.