Cubic yard formula
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
A cubic yard is a cube 3 ft on each side: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. When the depth is in inches, divide by 324 instead (27 × 12): 12 × 12 × 4 ÷ 324 = 1.78 yd³. All in inches? Divide length × width × height by 46,656.
Square feet to cubic yards
Cubic yards needed to cover an area at each depth:
| Depth | 100 sq ft | 250 sq ft | 500 sq ft | 1,000 sq ft | 1 yd³ covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 0.31 | 0.77 | 1.54 | 3.09 | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | 0.62 | 1.54 | 3.09 | 6.17 | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 0.93 | 2.31 | 4.63 | 9.26 | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 1.23 | 3.09 | 6.17 | 12.35 | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 1.85 | 4.63 | 9.26 | 18.52 | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | 3.7 | 9.26 | 18.52 | 37.04 | 27 sq ft |
Cubic yards to tons
Suppliers of gravel, sand and stone often sell by the ton. Multiply cubic yards by the material's weight per yard:
| Material | Tons per yd³ | 5 yd³ | 10 yd³ | Yards per ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil (screened) | 1.1 | 5.5 | 11 | 0.91 |
| Gravel (general) | 1.4 | 7 | 14 | 0.71 |
| Sand | 1.35 | 6.8 | 13.5 | 0.74 |
| Fill dirt | 1.2 | 6 | 12 | 0.83 |
| Wood / bark mulch | 0.3 | 1.5 | 3 | 3.33 |
| Concrete | 2.03 | 10.1 | 20.3 | 0.49 |
| Crushed stone / #57 stone | 1.35 | 6.8 | 13.5 | 0.74 |
FAQ
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). One cubic yard is also 0.765 cubic meters.
How big is a cubic yard of dirt or gravel?
Picture a cube 3 ft on each side. Spread out, it covers 324 sq ft one inch deep or 81 sq ft four inches deep.
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
A full-size bed holds 2–3 cubic yards of mulch by volume, but only about ½–1 yard of soil, gravel or sand before you exceed a half-ton payload.
How many yards in a dump truck?
Small single-axle trucks haul about 5–7 yd³; tandem trucks 10–14 yd³ — limited by weight for heavy materials.