Cubic Yard Calculator

What Is a Cubic Yard?

A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to the space inside a cube measuring 3 feet on each side. It contains 27 cubic feet, 46,656 cubic inches, or 0.7646 cubic meters. In construction and landscaping, cubic yards are the standard ordering unit for bulk materials including concrete, gravel, sand, topsoil, mulch, and fill dirt. Understanding cubic yards is essential for ordering the right amount of material and avoiding costly overages or shortfalls. The calculator above converts your length, width, and depth measurements directly into cubic yards.

How to Calculate Cubic Yards?

Multiply length (feet) by width (feet) by depth (feet), then divide by 27. If the depth is measured in inches, divide it by 12 first to convert to feet. A gravel bed 20 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 6 inches deep: 20 x 15 x 0.5 = 150 cubic feet. Divide by 27 = 5.56 cubic yards. For circular areas, use the formula: pi x radius squared x depth, then divide by 27. The key is making sure all three dimensions are in feet before multiplying. The calculator accepts depth in either inches or feet and handles the conversion automatically.

How Many Cubic Yards Do Common Projects Need?

A 10 x 10 foot patio base at 4 inches of gravel: 1.23 cubic yards. A 20 x 20 driveway at 6 inches of gravel: 7.41 cubic yards. A 50-foot garden bed at 4 feet wide and 3 inches of mulch: 1.85 cubic yards. A 10 x 10 concrete slab at 4 inches thick: 1.23 cubic yards of concrete. A typical residential landscaping project uses 3-10 cubic yards of various materials. Knowing the cubic yardage before calling a supplier ensures you get an accurate price quote and avoids the surprise of needing a second delivery.

How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Material Weigh?

Weight per cubic yard varies dramatically by material. Topsoil: 2,000-2,400 lbs. Gravel: 2,800-3,400 lbs. Sand: 2,400-2,900 lbs. Mulch: 400-800 lbs. Concrete: 3,600-4,000 lbs. Fill dirt: 2,000-2,600 lbs. Crushed stone: 2,700-3,000 lbs. Compost: 800-1,200 lbs. Weight matters because delivery trucks have weight limits as well as volume limits. A standard dump truck holds 10-14 cubic yards by volume, but it may reach its weight limit with only 8-10 yards of heavy material like gravel or concrete. Always tell the supplier what material you need so they can load the truck appropriately.

How to Convert Between Cubic Yards and Other Units?

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. 1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic meters. 1 cubic yard = 201.97 US gallons. 1 cubic meter = 1.308 cubic yards. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. To convert cubic meters to cubic yards, multiply by 1.308. These conversions appear frequently in construction because specifications may use different units depending on the material and the supplier. Concrete plants quote in cubic yards, gravel pits may quote in tons, and international specifications use cubic meters. Having a reliable conversion reference prevents ordering errors.

How Many Wheelbarrow Loads Per Cubic Yard?

A standard contractor wheelbarrow holds about 6 cubic feet. One cubic yard (27 cubic feet) requires 4-5 wheelbarrow loads. A smaller homeowner wheelbarrow holds 3-4 cubic feet, needing 7-9 loads per cubic yard. This estimate helps you plan the physical effort involved in moving material from the delivery pile to the project site. Moving 5 cubic yards of gravel by wheelbarrow means 23-25 trips with a full-size wheelbarrow, each weighing 500-700 pounds. For large quantities, a skid steer or tractor saves hours of manual labor and reduces the risk of back injury.

Ordering Tips for Bulk Materials

Always order 5-10% more than your calculated volume. Uneven terrain, compaction, and spillage consume material beyond the theoretical amount. Ask the supplier about minimum delivery quantities and short-load fees. Many suppliers require a 3 to 5 cubic yard minimum for dump truck delivery. For smaller amounts, you may need to pick up material yourself with a pickup truck or trailer. A standard full-size pickup truck bed holds about 1-1.5 cubic yards of loose material, but check the payload capacity before loading heavy materials like gravel or sand that can easily exceed the truck weight rating.

Cubic Yards for Concrete Projects

Ready-mix concrete is ordered in cubic yards. One cubic yard fills a 4-inch thick slab that covers 81 square feet (roughly a 9 x 9 area). A 10 x 10 slab at 4 inches needs 1.23 yards. A 20 x 20 slab at 4 inches needs 4.94 yards. Always round up to the nearest half yard when ordering ready-mix. A truck carrying 5 cubic yards cannot deliver 5.2 yards, so you would order 5.5 to be safe. The small overage costs far less than calling for a second short-load delivery to finish the pour, which can cost $150-$200 in additional delivery and short-load charges.

Frequently asked questions