What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 3 feet on each side. That cube contains exactly 27 cubic feet (3 x 3 x 3 = 27). In metric terms, 1 cubic yard equals 0.7646 cubic meters.
Contractors, landscapers, and builders use cubic yards to order bulk materials: concrete, mulch, gravel, topsoil, sand, and fill dirt. Material suppliers price and deliver in cubic-yard increments.
One cubic yard holds 46,656 cubic inches, 202 gallons of liquid, or roughly 1 pickup-truck bed of loose material. Concrete weighs about 4,000 lbs per cubic yard. Mulch weighs 400-800 lbs. Gravel weighs about 2,800 lbs.
How to Convert Square Foot to Cubic Yards
Square feet measures flat area (2 dimensions). Cubic yards measures volume (3 dimensions). You need a depth or thickness measurement to bridge the gap between the two.
Step 1: Measure the area in square feet. Multiply length x width for rectangles.
Step 2: Measure the depth of material needed. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12. For example, 4 inches = 0.333 feet.
Step 3: Multiply the area (sq ft) by the depth (ft) to get cubic feet.
Step 4: Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
Worked Example
A patio measures 20 ft x 25 ft = 500 sq ft. You want 4 inches of gravel.
500 sq ft x 0.333 ft = 166.5 cu ft / 27 = 6.17 cubic yards. Order 7 cubic yards to account for waste and compaction.
Coverage Chart: Cubic Yards by Depth
This table shows how many square feet 1 cubic yard of material covers at different depths.
| Depth | Coverage per 1 yd³ | Coverage per 5 yd³ | Coverage per 10 yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft | 3,240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 540 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 405 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 270 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
| 12 inches (1 ft) | 27 sq ft | 135 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
Common Project Estimates
These estimates use standard depths recommended by contractors. Add 10% for waste on concrete and 15% for compaction on loose materials.
| Project | Area | Depth | Cubic Yards | Weight (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio (10x12 ft) | 120 sq ft | 4 in | 1.48 yd³ | 5,926 lbs |
| Concrete driveway (12x40 ft) | 480 sq ft | 4 in | 5.93 yd³ | 23,700 lbs |
| Concrete sidewalk (4x30 ft) | 120 sq ft | 4 in | 1.48 yd³ | 5,926 lbs |
| Mulch bed (landscape, 500 sq ft) | 500 sq ft | 3 in | 4.63 yd³ | 2,780 lbs |
| Gravel driveway (12x60 ft) | 720 sq ft | 6 in | 13.33 yd³ | 37,333 lbs |
| Topsoil for new lawn (1,000 sq ft) | 1,000 sq ft | 2 in | 6.17 yd³ | 12,346 lbs |
| Sand for paver base (200 sq ft) | 200 sq ft | 1 in | 0.62 yd³ | 1,674 lbs |
Square Foot to Cubic Yards Conversion Table
Pre-calculated cubic yards for common square footage values at 3 standard depths.
| Square Feet | At 2 in depth | At 4 in depth | At 6 in depth | At 12 in depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 5.56 yd³ | 11.11 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
| 750 sq ft | 4.63 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 13.89 yd³ | 27.78 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ |
| 1,500 sq ft | 9.26 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 27.78 yd³ | 55.56 yd³ |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 yd³ | 24.69 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ | 74.07 yd³ |
| 5,000 sq ft | 30.86 yd³ | 61.73 yd³ | 92.59 yd³ | 185.19 yd³ |
Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet does 1 cubic yard cover?
It depends on depth. At 1 inch deep, 1 cubic yard covers 324 sq ft (30.1 m²). At 2 inches: 162 sq ft. At 3 inches: 108 sq ft. At 4 inches: 81 sq ft. At 6 inches: 54 sq ft. At 12 inches (1 ft): 27 sq ft. The thinner the layer, the more ground you cover.
How do I calculate cubic yards for a concrete slab?
Multiply length x width (in feet) to get square feet, multiply by thickness in feet, then divide by 27. A 20 ft x 10 ft slab at 4 inches thick: 200 sq ft x 0.333 ft = 66.6 cu ft / 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. Order 2.75 yd³ to allow 10% for waste and slight depth variations.
How many bags of concrete make 1 cubic yard?
About 45 bags of 80-lb concrete mix. Each 80-lb bag yields roughly 0.6 cubic feet of cured concrete. Divide 27 cubic feet by 0.6 = 45 bags. A 60-lb bag yields 0.45 cu ft, so you need about 60 bags of the smaller size. For projects over 1 cubic yard, ready-mix delivery is more cost-effective.
How much does a cubic yard of material weigh?
It varies by material. Concrete: 4,050 lbs (1.84 metric tons). Gravel: 2,800 lbs (1.27 metric tons). Sand: 2,700 lbs (1.22 metric tons). Topsoil: 2,200 lbs (1.0 metric ton). Mulch (wood): 400-800 lbs (0.18-0.36 metric tons). Check your delivery vehicle's weight limit before ordering.
Should I order extra cubic yards for a project?
Yes. Order 10% extra for concrete to cover waste, spillage, and slight depth variations. Order 15% extra for loose materials like gravel and mulch to account for compaction and settling. Running short mid-pour on concrete is far more costly than having a small surplus.
Can I convert square feet to cubic yards without knowing the depth?
No. Square feet is a 2D area measurement. Cubic yards is a 3D volume measurement. Without a depth (thickness), the conversion is impossible. You must know how deep the material layer will be. Common defaults: 4 inches for concrete slabs, 3 inches for mulch, 6 inches for gravel driveways, and 2 inches for topsoil.