How many feet are in a yard?

There are exactly 3 feet in 1 yard. This means 1 yard = 36 inches. To convert yards to feet, multiply by 3. To convert feet to yards, divide by 3. For example, 10 yards = 30 feet. This conversion is commonly used in construction for fencing, grading, and landscaping measurements.

How do you convert cubic feet to cubic yards?

Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. Since 1 yard = 3 feet, one cubic yard = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. For example, a concrete slab measuring 108 cubic feet requires 108 ÷ 27 = 4 cubic yards of concrete. This is the most common volume conversion in construction, used for ordering ready-mix concrete, gravel, topsoil, and fill materials.

How do you convert roof pitch to degrees?

Convert roof pitch to degrees using the formula: degrees = arctan(pitch ÷ 12) × 180 ÷ π. For example, a 6/12 pitch converts to arctan(6/12) × 57.296 = 26.57 degrees. A 12/12 pitch equals exactly 45 degrees. This is NOT a simple division — the relationship is non-linear because pitch and degrees both describe the same angle using different systems (rise/run ratio vs. angular measurement).

How many square feet are in an acre?

There are exactly 43,560 square feet in 1 acre. An acre is also equal to 4,840 square yards, approximately 4,047 square meters, or about 0.4047 hectares. To visualize an acre, it is roughly the size of a football field without the end zones (which is 48,000 sq ft). Residential lot sizes are commonly described in fractions of an acre.

What is the difference between a US ton and a metric tonne?

A US ton (short ton) equals 2,000 pounds, while a metric tonne equals 1,000 kilograms (2,204.62 pounds). The metric tonne is about 10% heavier than a US ton. There is also the Imperial long ton at 2,240 pounds, sometimes used in shipping. In US construction, "ton" almost always means the short ton (2,000 lb). When ordering imported materials or reading international specifications, verify which ton is being used.

How many board feet are in a cubic foot?

There are exactly 12 board feet in 1 cubic foot. A board foot is a unit of lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches (1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long). Since a cubic foot contains 1,728 cubic inches, dividing by 144 gives 12 board feet. Board feet are based on nominal lumber dimensions, not actual (surfaced) dimensions. Hardwood lumber and specialty wood are typically priced per board foot.

How do you convert percent grade to pitch?

To convert percent grade to pitch (/12), use the formula: pitch = grade × 12 ÷ 100. For example, a 50% grade equals a 6/12 pitch (50 × 12 / 100 = 6). This works because percent grade is rise/run × 100, and pitch is rise per 12 inches of run. At 100% grade, rise equals run (45°), which is a 12/12 pitch. Surveyors and civil engineers typically use percent grade, while roofers and framers use pitch notation.

Unit Conversion Calculator — Construction Units

How to Use the Unit Conversion Hub

How to Convert Construction Units

Construction projects regularly require converting between imperial and metric measurements, and even between different imperial units. Whether you are reading plans drawn in meters, ordering materials priced by the cubic yard, or converting a roof pitch to degrees for your miter saw, accurate unit conversion is essential for avoiding costly mistakes. This free construction unit converter handles length, area, volume, weight, and angle conversions instantly — covering every unit you will encounter on a residential or commercial jobsite.

Length Conversions: Imperial & Metric

Length is the most common conversion in construction. The key relationships to memorize are: 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 yard = 3 feet, and 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters (exactly). From that last fact, all metric conversions follow: 1 foot = 304.8 mm = 30.48 cm = 0.3048 m. When working with international suppliers or plans drawn to metric standards, you will convert between feet and meters frequently. A quick reference: 1 meter is approximately 3 feet 3-3/8 inches (3.281 feet). For larger distances, 1 mile equals 1.609 kilometers.

Area Conversions for Material Estimation

Area conversions matter when estimating flooring, roofing, siding, paint, and landscaping materials. The most common construction area conversion is square feet to square yards (divide by 9) for carpet and flooring. For metric conversion, 1 square meter = 10.764 square feet. Land area uses acres: 1 acre = 43,560 square feet, which is roughly the size of a football field without the end zones. When estimating materials, always calculate in the same unit your supplier uses — converting after the fact is where errors creep in.

Volume Conversions: Concrete, Gravel & Fill

Volume conversions are critical for ordering concrete, gravel, topsoil, and fill. The most important relationship is 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Ready-mix concrete is sold by the cubic yard, so after calculating your slab, footing, or column volume in cubic feet, divide by 27 to get the order quantity. For liquid volumes, 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches = 3.785 liters. Board feet (used for lumber pricing) represent a volume of 144 cubic inches — equivalent to a 1" × 12" × 12" board. There are 12 board feet in one cubic foot.

Weight Conversions: Materials & Loads

Weight conversions are necessary for structural load calculations, material ordering, and shipping estimates. Construction materials are typically sold by the pound (lb) or ton in the US. Be careful with “tons” — there are three different types: US short tons (2,000 lb), Imperial long tons (2,240 lb), and metric tonnes (2,204.62 lb / 1,000 kg). Gravel and aggregate are often ordered by the ton: a cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 US tons). For metric conversion, 1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms.

Angle Conversions: Pitch, Degrees & Grade

Angle conversions bridge the gap between different trades and their conventions. Roofers use pitch (rise per 12" of run), surveyors use percent grade (rise/run × 100), and most other trades use degrees. These conversions are not simple linear multiplications — they require trigonometry. A 12/12 pitch equals 45° (and 100% grade), but a 6/12 pitch equals only 26.57° (not 22.5°). The formula is: degrees = arctan(pitch/12) × 180/π. This calculator handles the trigonometry for you, plus converts to radians and Degrees:Minutes:Seconds (DMS) notation used in surveying.

Pro Tips for Accurate Conversions

Never round intermediate values. When chaining conversions (e.g., pitch to degrees to radians), let this calculator do the full chain — rounding at each step compounds errors. The “All Conversions” table shows every unit simultaneously with full precision.
Know which “ton” your supplier uses. A US short ton (2,000 lb) is the standard in American construction, but imported materials may use metric tonnes (2,204.62 lb) or Imperial long tons (2,240 lb). A 10% difference per ton adds up fast.
Board feet are nominal. A board foot is based on nominal lumber dimensions (before planing), not actual dimensions. 1 BF = 1" × 12" × 12" nominal = 144 cubic inches. Use the Board Foot Calculator for lumber-specific calculations.
Area and volume conversions square and cube the linear factor. If 1 foot = 0.3048 meters, then 1 square foot = 0.3048² = 0.0929 square meters, and 1 cubic foot = 0.3048³ = 0.0283 cubic meters. This is a common source of conversion errors.
Pitch and percent grade are equivalent at 45°. At a 12/12 pitch, rise equals run, so percent grade is exactly 100%. Below 45°, the pitch number is always larger than the grade percentage divided by 100 times 12 — they are not linearly proportional because both use tangent-based conversions.

Free Unit Conversion Calculator — Construction Units