Cubic Yard Calculator

Q: How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. A cubic yard is a cube that is 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet = 27 cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.

Q: How do I calculate cubic yards for concrete?

Measure length, width, and depth in feet, multiply together, and divide by 27. Add 5-10% for spillage. Concrete is ordered by the cubic yard.

Q: How many wheelbarrows are in a cubic yard?

A standard wheelbarrow holds about 3-6 cubic feet. One cubic yard (27 cu ft) requires approximately 5-9 wheelbarrow loads depending on wheelbarrow size.

Free online cubic yard calculator for concrete, soil, mulch, gravel, and more. Enter your dimensions to get instant cubic yard results with material weight and cost estimates.

Material Type

Shape

Length

ft in

Width

ft in

Depth / Height

ft in

Price Per Cubic Yard ($)

$/cu yd

0.00

cubic yards

Cubic Feet

Cubic Meters

Liters

Gallons

Volume (cu ft)0 cu ft

MaterialGeneral

Est. Weight0 tons

What Is a Cubic Yard?

A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube that is 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet tall — or 27 cubic feet. It's the standard unit of measurement for construction and landscaping materials like concrete, soil, mulch, and gravel in the United States.

Understanding cubic yards is essential for ordering materials correctly. Order too little and your project stalls; order too much and you waste money. Our cubic yard calculator helps you get it right the first time by converting your project dimensions into the exact number of cubic yards needed.

Quick Reference: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 46,656 cubic inches = 764.6 liters = 0.765 cubic meters = 202 US gallons

Common Uses: Concrete slabs and footings, garden beds and mulch, driveways and gravel, topsoil and fill dirt, sand for paver bases

Material Weight Reference

Different materials weigh different amounts per cubic yard. This is important for estimating trucking costs and ensuring your project can support the weight.

Concrete

~4,050 lbs / cu yd

Soil (Topsoil)

~2,200 lbs / cu yd

Mulch

~1,000 lbs / cu yd

Gravel

~3,000 lbs / cu yd

Sand

~2,700 lbs / cu yd

Water

~1,680 lbs / cu yd

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

Rectangle / Square

Formula: (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards

Example: A 10 ft × 10 ft area, 6 inches deep = (10 × 10 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards

Cylinder (Round)

Formula: (π × Radius² × Depth ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards

Example: A 6 ft diameter circle, 4 inches deep = (π × 3² × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 0.35 cubic yards

Triangle (Prism)

Formula: (½ × Base ft × Height ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards

Example: A triangular area with 10 ft base, 6 ft height, 6 inches deep = (0.5 × 10 × 6 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 0.56 cubic yards

Cubic Yard Conversion Table

Unit	1 Cubic Yard =	1 Cubic Foot =
Cubic Feet	27 cu ft	1 cu ft
Cubic Inches	46,656 cu in	1,728 cu in
Cubic Meters	0.765 cu m	0.0283 cu m
Liters	764.6 L	28.32 L
Gallons (US)	202 gal	7.48 gal

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. This is because a cubic yard is a cube that is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet = 27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27.

How do I calculate cubic yards for concrete?

Measure the length, width, and depth of your pour in feet, multiply them together, and divide by 27. Always add 5-10% for spillage and uneven subgrades. Concrete is typically ordered by the cubic yard.

How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?

A cubic yard of concrete weighs approximately 4,050 pounds (about 2 tons). Reinforced concrete can weigh slightly more due to the steel reinforcement. A standard concrete truck holds about 10 cubic yards.

How many cubic yards of mulch do I need?

Measure your garden bed's length and width in feet, multiply by the desired depth in feet (2-4 inches recommended), then divide by 27. A 10 ft × 10 ft bed at 3 inches deep needs about 0.93 cubic yards of mulch.

How do I convert inches to cubic yards?

First convert all measurements to feet by dividing inches by 12. Then multiply length × width × depth in feet, and divide by 27. Our calculator handles this automatically — just enter inches and feet separately.

How many wheelbarrows are in a cubic yard?

A standard wheelbarrow holds about 3-6 cubic feet. Since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, you'll need approximately 5-9 wheelbarrow loads per cubic yard, depending on wheelbarrow size.

What is the difference between a yard and a cubic yard?

A yard (or linear yard) measures length — it's 3 feet. A cubic yard measures volume — it's 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet. They are completely different units. Think of a yard as a line, and a cubic yard as a box.

How many cubic yards does a dump truck hold?

A standard dump truck typically holds 10-16 cubic yards of material. Smaller contractor trucks may hold 6-8 cubic yards. Always check your truck's capacity before ordering materials to avoid overloading.