Cubic Yard Calculator — Volume in Yards, Feet & Meters

    Convert dimensions into cubic yards for ordering concrete, gravel, mulch, topsoil, sand, and fill dirt. Enter measurements in feet, inches, yards, or meters.

    Tips

    • • 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 46,656 cubic inches = 0.7646 cubic meters
    • • 1 cubic yard = 201.97 gallons
    • • Most landscape and concrete suppliers sell by the cubic yard
    • • Always add 10% extra when ordering bulk materials to account for settling and spreading

    Conversion tool for estimating purposes. Confirm quantities with your supplier.

    Example Calculation

    Filling a 10×20 foot area at 4 inches deep? That's 66.7 cubic feet, or 2.47 cubic yards. Ordering mulch, gravel, or topsoil by the cubic yard is how every landscape supply company sells it — this calculator converts your measurements into the unit they use.

    Cubic Yards for Common Projects

    ProjectDimensionsCubic Yards
    Garden bed mulch10×20 ft, 3" deep1.85
    Patio gravel base12×16 ft, 4" deep2.37
    Driveway gravel10×40 ft, 4" deep4.94
    Concrete slab10×10 ft, 4" deep1.23
    Raised bed fill4×8 ft, 12" deep1.19
    French drain gravel1×50 ft, 12" deep1.85

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

    27 cubic feet. A cubic yard is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet = 27 cubic feet.

    How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?

    Divide cubic feet by 27. For example, 81 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 3 cubic yards.

    How many wheelbarrows are in a cubic yard?

    About 9 standard wheelbarrow loads (at 3 cubic feet per load) or 14 smaller loads (at 2 cubic feet).

    How much does a cubic yard weigh?

    It depends on the material. Topsoil: ~2,200 lbs. Mulch: ~400–800 lbs. Gravel: ~2,700 lbs. Concrete: ~4,050 lbs. Sand: ~2,700 lbs.

    How do I calculate cubic yards from inches?

    Multiply length × width × depth (all in inches), then divide by 46,656 to get cubic yards. Or convert inches to feet first by dividing each measurement by 12, then multiply and divide by 27.

    Typical Results

    Wheelbarrow(heaped)0.1–0.15 cubic yards
    Pickup truck(full-size, level load)1.5–2.5 cubic yards
    Small dump truck(single axle)5–6 cubic yards
    Standard dump truck(tandem axle)10–14 cubic yards

    💡 Most suppliers have a 1-yard delivery minimum. For less than 1 yard, bags may be more practical.