How it works
The formula
cu ft = area × number of areas × depth (in) ÷ 12
cu yd = cu ft ÷ 27
Assumptions
- A cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, which is 27 cu ft or 0.764555 m³.
- The depth is the same everywhere. For a hole or bed that slopes, use the average depth.
- The numbers under "What this buys" are rounded up to whole bags. Bags are counted by the volume printed on the bag. Concrete: 0.6 cu ft for 80 lb, 0.45 cu ft for 60 lb. Mulch: 2 cu ft. Topsoil: 0.75 cu ft.
- Gravel is estimated at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. It varies with the stone, so ask your supplier.
- This page adds no waste. The concrete, gravel and mulch calculators add the extra you should buy and show prices.
Worked example
A 10 × 10 ft area, 4 in deep
- 10 × 10 = 100 sq ft
- 100 × 4 ÷ 12 = 33.33 cu ft
- 33.33 ÷ 27 = 1.23 cu yd, or 0.94 m³
Cubic feet to cubic yards
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.04 |
| 5 | 0.19 |
| 10 | 0.37 |
| 13.5 | 0.50 |
| 20 | 0.74 |
| 27 | 1.00 |
| 50 | 1.85 |
| 100 | 3.70 |
What 1 cubic yard covers
| Depth | Area covered (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
| 6 in | 54 |
Common slab and bed sizes
| Size | Sq ft | 4 in: cu ft | 4 in: cu yd | 6 in: cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 | 33.3 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 10 × 20 ft | 200 | 66.7 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 144 | 48.0 | 1.78 | 2.67 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 | 133.3 | 4.94 | 7.41 |
| 24 × 24 ft | 576 | 192.0 | 7.11 | 10.67 |
Questions people ask
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. To convert, divide cubic feet by 27.
How much does a cubic yard cover?
162 sq ft at 2 in, 108 sq ft at 3 in, 81 sq ft at 4 in, 54 sq ft at 6 in. Half the depth covers twice the area.
How do I calculate cubic yards for a circle?
Halve the diameter to get the radius, then area = π × radius². Multiply by the depth in inches, divide by 12 for cubic feet, then by 27 for cubic yards. A circle 10 ft across and 4 in deep holds 26.2 cu ft, which is 0.97 cu yd. Choose Circle above and enter the diameter.
How heavy is a cubic yard?
It depends on the material. We use 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) for a cubic yard of loose gravel and 1.1 tons (2,200 lb) for topsoil. Wet material is heavier, so ask your supplier for their weight per yard.
Is a yard the same as a ton?
No. A yard measures volume and a ton measures weight. Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard, so with gravel at 1.4, 10 cu yd weighs 14 tons. An 80 lb concrete bag yields 0.6 cu ft, so a cubic yard takes about 45.0 bags.