What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard (yd³) is a unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 3 feet (1 yard) on each side. It contains exactly 27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3 = 27). In metric terms, 1 cubic yard equals 0.7646 cubic meters.
Cubic yards are the standard unit for ordering bulk materials in construction and landscaping: concrete, gravel, mulch, topsoil, sand, fill dirt, and crushed stone. Material suppliers and delivery trucks are calibrated in cubic-yard increments.
One cubic yard holds 46,656 cubic inches, approximately 202 US gallons, or about one full-size pickup truck bed of loose material. Understanding cubic yards helps you order the right amount and avoid costly over- or under-ordering.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
To calculate cubic yards, convert all dimensions to feet, multiply them together to get cubic feet, then divide by 27.
Step 1: Measure length, width, and height (or depth) of the area.
Step 2: Convert all measurements to feet. Divide inches by 12, multiply yards by 3, multiply meters by 3.28084, divide centimeters by 30.48.
Step 3: Multiply all three dimensions to get cubic feet.
Step 4: Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
Worked Example
A garden bed measures 20 ft long, 4 ft wide, and 6 inches deep.
Convert 6 inches to feet: 6 / 12 = 0.5 ft
Volume: 20 × 4 × 0.5 = 40 cubic feet
Cubic yards: 40 / 27 = 1.48 cubic yards. Order 2 cubic yards to account for settling and waste.
Material Coverage Chart
How many cubic yards of material you need for different areas at various depths.
| Area (sq ft) | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep | 12 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 0.93 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ | 2.47 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 yd³ | 2.78 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 5.56 yd³ | 11.11 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ |
| 750 sq ft | 4.63 yd³ | 6.94 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 13.89 yd³ | 27.78 yd³ |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 24.69 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ | 74.07 yd³ |
| 5,000 sq ft | 30.86 yd³ | 46.30 yd³ | 61.73 yd³ | 92.59 yd³ | 185.19 yd³ |
Weight per Cubic Yard by Material
Approximate weight of common construction and landscaping materials per cubic yard. Actual weight varies by moisture content and density.
| Material | Weight per yd³ (lbs) | Weight per yd³ (tons) | Weight per yd³ (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (wet/mixed) | 4,050 lbs | 2.03 tons | 1,837 kg |
| Gravel (loose, dry) | 2,800 lbs | 1.40 tons | 1,270 kg |
| Crushed stone | 2,700 lbs | 1.35 tons | 1,225 kg |
| Sand (dry) | 2,700 lbs | 1.35 tons | 1,225 kg |
| Topsoil (dry) | 2,200 lbs | 1.10 tons | 998 kg |
| Mulch (wood chips) | 400-800 lbs | 0.20-0.40 tons | 181-363 kg |
| Compost | 1,000-1,600 lbs | 0.50-0.80 tons | 454-726 kg |
| Fill dirt | 2,000 lbs | 1.00 tons | 907 kg |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | 3,960 lbs | 1.98 tons | 1,796 kg |
Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A cubic yard measures 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. To convert cubic yards to cubic feet, multiply by 27.
How do I calculate cubic yards from inches?
Convert each dimension from inches to feet by dividing by 12, then multiply all three dimensions and divide by 27. For example, a space 120 in × 60 in × 6 in: (120/12) × (60/12) × (6/12) = 10 × 5 × 0.5 = 25 cubic feet / 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of dry, loose gravel weighs approximately 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons or 1,270 kg). Weight varies by gravel type and moisture. Pea gravel weighs about 2,600 lbs per cubic yard. Crushed limestone weighs about 2,700 lbs. River rock can weigh up to 2,900 lbs per cubic yard.
How many cubic yards of mulch do I need?
Measure your area in square feet, then use the formula: Cubic Yards = (Sq Ft × Depth in inches) / 324. For a 500 sq ft area with 3 inches of mulch: 500 × 3 / 324 = 4.63 cubic yards. The standard mulch depth is 2-4 inches. Add 10-15% for settling.
How much area does 1 cubic yard cover?
One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches, 54 sq ft at 6 inches, and 27 sq ft at 12 inches (1 foot) deep. The thinner you spread it, the more ground you cover.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the material's tons-per-yard factor. Concrete: multiply by 2.03. Gravel: multiply by 1.40. Sand: multiply by 1.35. Topsoil: multiply by 1.10. Mulch: multiply by 0.20-0.40. For example, 5 cubic yards of gravel = 5 × 1.40 = 7.0 tons. Always confirm with your supplier as density varies.