Quick Math

Volume Calculator

Calculate cubic feet, cubic yards, and cubic inches from construction measurements including feet, inches, and fractions.

Free to use · No signup required

Enter length, width, and depth for trenches, slabs, pits, and boxes.

Measurements
Length
Width
Height
Height is the depth for trenches, footings, and slabs.Fractions welcome — 7 3/8 works in the inches box too.
Volume
— cu ft

Enter length, width, and height to calculate.

WidthHeightLength

How to Calculate Volume

Volume measures the amount of three-dimensional space inside a shape. In construction, volume is commonly expressed in cubic feet or cubic yards and is used for excavations, footings, trenches, slabs, tanks, columns, and other measured spaces. Enter the field dimensions in feet, inches, and fractions, and Skoppe Calculator converts the measurements and calculates the volume automatically.

Volume Formulas

Rectangular: Volume = Length × Width × Height

Cylinder: Volume = π × Radius² × Height

Radius = Diameter ÷ 2

Triangular Prism: Volume = Base × Height ÷ 2 × Length

Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27

Cubic Inches = Cubic Feet × 1,728

Every dimension has to be in the same unit before they are multiplied. Skoppe Calculator normalizes feet, inches, and fractions first, so rounding never compounds across three dimensions.

Volume Calculation Example

A trench measured in construction dimensions:

Length = 8 ft 6 in = 8.5 ft

Width = 4 ft 3 in = 4.25 ft

Depth = 1 ft 6 in = 1.5 ft

8.5 × 4.25 × 1.5 = 54.1875 cu ft

Trench volume: ≈ 54.19 cu ft · ≈ 2.01 cu yd

Diameter = 3 ft

Radius = 3 ÷ 2 = 1 ft 6 in

Height = 8 ft

π × 1.5² × 8

Column volume: ≈ 56.55 cu ft · ≈ 2.09 cu yd

Length = 10 ft

Width = 10 ft

Thickness = 6 in = 0.5 ft

10 × 10 × 0.5

Slab volume: 50 cu ft · ≈ 1.85 cu yd

Understanding Cubic Measurement

Cubic Foot

A cube measuring 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 ft. One cubic foot equals 1,728 cubic inches.

Cubic Yard

A cube measuring 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, which is 27 cubic feet — the unit most large construction quantities are ordered in.

Cubic Inch

A cube measuring 1 in × 1 in × 1 in. Useful for small measured spaces and openings.

Area vs. Volume

Area measures a surface in two dimensions. Volume measures three-dimensional space, so it always needs a thickness, depth, or height.

Common Uses for Volume

Excavations: measure trenches, pits, and rectangular excavated spaces.

Footings: calculate the geometric volume of a measured footing.

Slabs: calculate the volume of a slab from length, width, and thickness.

Columns & piers: calculate cylindrical volume from diameter and height.

Tanks & containers: measure basic rectangular or cylindrical capacity geometrically — wall thickness and irregular shapes change usable capacity.

General layout: calculate any basic three-dimensional measured space.

Cubic Feet vs. Cubic Yards

Cubic feet are useful for smaller measured volumes. Cubic yards are commonly used for larger construction quantities, so most excavation and concrete work is discussed in yards.

A cube measuring 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft is 27 cubic feet, which is exactly 1 cubic yard. To convert, divide cubic feet by 27.

Area vs. Volume

A slab measuring 10 ft long by 10 ft wide has an area of 100 sq ft. Area alone does not describe how much space the slab occupies.

Add the thickness and it becomes volume: 10 × 10 × 0.5 ft is 50 cu ft, about 1.85 cu yd. Use the Area Calculator for surfaces and this calculator once a thickness, depth, or height is involved.

Measuring Trenches and Excavations

For a rectangular trench or excavation, measure the length, average width, and average depth, then use Rectangular mode.

If width or depth varies significantly, divide the excavation into smaller sections and calculate each section separately, then add the volumes together. An irregular excavation is not an exact rectangular solid.

Measuring Round Holes and Columns

Use Cylinder mode when the measured space has a circular cross section. Enter the diameter and the depth or height.

This covers round footings, columns, piers, sonotube-style forms, and circular holes. Measuring the diameter straight through the center is usually faster and more reliable in the field than measuring a radius.

Volume Quick Reference

MeasurementVolume
1 cu yd27 cu ft
1 cu ft1,728 cu in
3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft27 cu ft · 1 cu yd
10 ft × 10 ft × 1 ft100 cu ft · ≈ 3.7 cu yd
10 ft × 10 ft × 6 in50 cu ft · ≈ 1.85 cu yd
3 ft diameter × 8 ft deep≈ 56.55 cu ft · ≈ 2.09 cu yd

Volume Calculator FAQ

How do I calculate cubic feet?

Multiply the length by the width by the height, with all measurements expressed in compatible units.

How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?

Divide cubic feet by 27.

How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?

One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.

How many cubic inches are in one cubic foot?

One cubic foot contains 1,728 cubic inches.

How do I calculate the volume of a cylinder?

Find the radius by dividing the diameter by two, square the radius, multiply by pi, then multiply by the height.

Can I enter feet, inches, and fractions?

Yes. Skoppe Calculator supports construction-style dimensions including feet, inches, and common fractions.

How do I calculate trench volume?

Measure the trench length, width, and depth and use Rectangular mode. If the dimensions vary, divide the trench into smaller sections and calculate each separately.

Is this the same as the Concrete Calculator?

No. The Volume Calculator calculates geometric cubic volume. The Concrete Calculator is intended for estimating concrete quantities and can include project-specific estimating logic.

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