Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert length, width and depth into cubic yards for any material — soil, gravel, mulch, concrete or debris. Enter feet and inches directly; the calculator handles the conversion.
feet · inches
feet · inches
You might also need:Gravel Calculator·Concrete Calculator
The cubic yard formula
(convert inches to feet first: inches ÷ 12)
A cubic yard is a 3 × 3 × 3 ft cube — 27 cubic feet. It's the standard unit for ordering bulk landscaping and construction material in the US, and the unit dumpster sizes are quoted in too (a "20-yard" dumpster holds 20 cubic yards).
Quick reference: common areas to cubic yards
| Area | 2″ deep | 4″ deep | 6″ deep | 12″ deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.31 | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.85 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 3.70 |
| 250 sq ft | 1.54 | 3.09 | 4.63 | 9.26 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 18.5 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 12.3 | 18.5 | 37.0 |
From volume to weight
Suppliers often quote bulk material by the ton, so you'll need a density conversion. Our material calculators do this automatically:gravel (~1.4 t/yd³),sand (~1.35 t/yd³),topsoil (~1.05 t/yd³) andconcrete (~2 t/yd³).
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?+
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?+
Multiply your square footage by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27. Example: 200 sq ft at 4 inches deep = 200 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard weigh?+
It depends entirely on the material: mulch ~800 lb, topsoil ~2,000 lb, sand ~2,700 lb, gravel ~2,800 lb, and concrete ~4,000 lb per cubic yard. Use our material-specific calculators for accurate tonnage.
How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard?+
A standard 6 cubic-foot contractor wheelbarrow takes 4.5 heaped loads to move one cubic yard. A smaller 4 cubic-foot barrow takes about 7 loads.
Will a cubic yard fit in a pickup truck?+
A full-size pickup bed holds 2–3 cubic yards of light material like mulch, but only about 1 yard of soil, sand or gravel before hitting its payload limit (typically 1,000–2,000 lb). Check your truck’s rated capacity — weight, not space, is the limit.