Mulch CalculatorHow do you calculate cubic yards?
Measure length, width and depth in feet. Multiply them to get cubic feet, then divide by 27, since a cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet. A space 12 feet long, 12 feet wide and 4 inches deep is 12 x 12 x 0.333 = 48 cubic feet. That is 48 / 27 = 1.78 cubic yards.
If you measure depth in inches, divide the inches by 12 first. Or use the short form: square feet x inches / 324. Both give the same answer.
Unit conversions
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 1 / 27 (0.037) |
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | 27 |
| Cubic yards | Cubic meters | 0.7646 |
| Cubic meters | Cubic yards | 1.308 |
| Cubic yards | US gallons | About 202 |
| Inches of depth | Feet of depth | 1 / 12 |
The gallons figure comes from the New Hampshire DES conversion sheet. The meter figures follow from the exact length of a yard, 0.9144 meters.
Cubic yards for common depths
Cubic yards needed for each 100 square feet of area:
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 8.3 | 0.31 |
| 2 in | 16.7 | 0.62 |
| 3 in | 25 | 0.93 |
| 4 in | 33.3 | 1.23 |
| 6 in | 50 | 1.85 |
| 12 in | 100 | 3.70 |
Weight of a cubic yard
Volume does not tell you weight. A cubic yard of soil weighs about 2,000 pounds, while a yard of compost is closer to 1,000 pounds, says Ask Extension. Gravel is heavier still. Use the topsoil calculator or the gravel calculator to see tons.
Tips for ordering by the yard
- Measure in a few spots and use the average depth.
- Most suppliers sell in whole or half yards. Round up.
- Ask how much a load is before it comes, and check how close the truck can get.
- For concrete, ask the plant how much extra to add for spills and uneven ground.
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Related guides
FAQ
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 x 3 x 3 = 27. To turn cubic feet into cubic yards, divide by 27. To go the other way, multiply cubic yards by 27.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
You need a depth too, since square feet only measure area. Multiply square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. If the depth is in inches, multiply square feet by inches and divide by 324. For example, 500 square feet at 4 inches is 6.17 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
Measure the bed and do the math, since trucks differ. Multiply the inside length, width and height of the bed in feet, then divide by 27. A bed 6.5 feet long, 5 feet wide and 1.6 feet deep holds about 1.9 cubic yards when filled level. Weight matters more. Ask Extension notes a standard pickup carries about 1,000 pounds, or half a yard of soil.
How many cubic meters are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 0.7646 cubic meters. One cubic meter is about 1.308 cubic yards. The tool shows cubic meters under each result, and you can enter lengths in meters too.