Calculate cylinder volume in cubic yards. Enter radius or diameter and height in inches, feet, yards, cm, or meters. See yd³, ft³, gallons, and material weight estimates for concrete and gravel.
The Cubic Yards of a Cylinder Calculator is the go-to tool for contractors, landscapers, and DIYers who need to estimate how much concrete, gravel, sand, or other fill material is needed for cylindrical forms. Cubic yards are the standard ordering unit at concrete batch plants and aggregate suppliers, so converting your cylinder dimensions directly into yd³ saves time and prevents costly over- or under-ordering.
The calculator uses V = πr²h, converting your chosen input units — inches, feet, yards, centimeters, or meters — into yards before computing. You can switch between radius and diameter entry to match whatever measurement you have. Alongside the primary cubic-yard result, the tool shows equivalent values in cubic feet, US gallons, and liters for cross-checking.
A standout feature is the material weight estimator. Once volume is computed, the calculator multiplies by standard bulk densities to show approximate tons for concrete, loose gravel, dry sand, topsoil, and crushed stone. Visual bars let you compare these at a glance. Eight common presets cover Sonotube forms, culverts, round pads, columns, fire pits, and cisterns— the most frequent cylindrical pours. A conversion reference table at the bottom provides quick unit equivalents you can jot down for the job site.
Use this calculator when the result needs to match how bulk material is bought and delivered. Concrete plants, gravel yards, and landscape suppliers usually quote cylindrical pours and fills in cubic yards, not in cubic feet or liters, so getting a direct yd³ answer is the practical goal for columns, Sonotubes, culverts, and round pads.
It is also valuable because it connects volume to material handling. The calculator estimates tons for concrete, gravel, sand, topsoil, and crushed stone, which helps with truck loading, delivery planning, and deciding whether a small pour is better handled with bagged material or ready-mix.
V = π × r² × h (with all dimensions in yards). 1 yard = 3 ft = 36 in. Material weight = volume (yd³) × density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2,000.
Result: 0.6206 yd³
With a radius of 2 feet and height of 4 feet, the calculator first converts to yards: r = 2/3 yd and h = 4/3 yd. The volume is V = π × (2/3)² × (4/3) ≈ 0.6206 yd³, which equals about 16.76 ft³ and 125.37 gallons. Using the built-in density estimate, that amount of concrete weighs about 1.26 tons.
Cubic yards is the unit that matters on the job site when you are ordering concrete, sand, gravel, topsoil, or crushed stone. Cylindrical forms are common in pier footings, Sonotubes, round columns, culverts, and fire pits, but the raw measurements are usually taken in inches or feet. This calculator bridges that gap by letting you enter the dimensions the way they are measured in the field and then converting them into cubic yards automatically. That avoids the usual chain of manual conversions before you can even price the material.
The weight-estimate section turns the geometric volume into something operational. Knowing the approximate tons of concrete or gravel helps when planning truck loads, labor, and site access. A round pad may only be a fraction of a cubic yard, while a row of deep cylindrical footings can add up quickly. Because the calculator shows multiple materials side by side, it is easy to compare how the same cylinder volume behaves when it is filled with concrete versus loose aggregate or soil.
For concrete columns and Sonotubes, verify whether the listed diameter is inside or outside the form. Capacity should be based on the inside diameter. For culverts and pipes, the same cylinder formula works even when the pipe is horizontal, so just use the pipe length as the height. Most contractors add waste allowance on top of the computed yd³ value, especially for uneven excavation or spill risk. After you calculate the clean geometric volume here, round up according to your supplier's minimum delivery increments and your tolerance for running short.
About 0.116 yd³ per tube. For 10 tubes you would need roughly 1.16 yd³ plus 5–10% extra.
Divide cubic feet by 27 (since 3³ = 27). Use this as a practical reminder before finalizing the result.
A cubic yard of wet concrete weighs approximately 4,050 lbs (about 2 tons). Keep this note short and outcome-focused for reuse.
Yes. Enter the pipe length as the height. The formula is the same regardless of orientation.
The density varies slightly by mix design, but 4,050 lb/yd³ is a reliable average for standard ready-mix. Lightweight mixes may be around 3,000 lb/yd³.
Approximately 45 bags. Each 80-lb bag yields roughly 0.6 ft³, and 27 ft³ make one cubic yard.