Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert any 3-dimensional project (slab, garden bed, excavation) into cubic yards — the standard unit used by concrete, aggregate, mulch, and soil suppliers.
Cubic Yard Calculator
Enter project dimensions below — results update instantly. Switch units freely.
Estimates assume typical industry density and waste factors. Always verify with your supplier and local building code before purchasing material.
Why Every Bulk Material Supplier Quotes in Cubic Yards
The cubic yard is the industry-standard volume unit for bulk construction materials because it scales conveniently to truck capacity:
- Dump truck: 10-15 cubic yards
- Concrete mixer: 9-11 cubic yards
- Mini-mixer: 4-6 cubic yards
- Pickup truck bed (level): 2-3 cubic yards
- Front-end loader scoop: 1-3 cubic yards
When a supplier says ‘price per yard,’ they always mean cubic yard. Confusion with square yards (a 3 × 3 ft area) causes ordering mistakes. A square yard is 9 ft²; a cubic yard is 27 ft³. They're not equivalents.
The Cubic Yard Formula and Unit Conversions
where L, W, D are all in feet
Why ÷ 27? A cubic yard is a 3-ft × 3-ft × 3-ft cube = 27 cubic feet.
Common conversions:
- 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.7646 m³
- 1 m³ = 1.308 yd³ = 35.31 ft³
- 1 ft³ = 0.03704 yd³
- 1 yd³ of water = 201.97 gallons = 764.6 liters
For converting inch depths to feet before cubing:
- Divide inches by 12: 4 in = 0.333 ft, 6 in = 0.5 ft, 8 in = 0.667 ft
Mental math shortcut: for a surface at 4 inches depth, ft² ÷ 81 = cubic yards. A 200 ft² patio at 4 in = 2.47 yd³.
| Depth | ft² per yd³ | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 ft² | Lawn top-dressing, paint coverage |
| 2 in | 162 ft² | Thin mulch layer |
| 3 in | 108 ft² | Standard mulch, thin gravel top |
| 4 in | 81 ft² | Concrete patios, driveway top stone |
| 5 in | 65 ft² | Garage slabs |
| 6 in | 54 ft² | Deep mulch, aggregate base |
| 8 in | 40 ft² | Deep base prep, structural |
| 12 in | 27 ft² | Fill dirt grading, raised beds |
| 18 in | 18 ft² | Foundation backfill |
| 24 in (2 ft) | 13.5 ft² | Retaining wall base, excavation |
Use this table to quickly estimate cubic yards: area ÷ (ft²/yd³) at depth. Example: 500 ft² × 4 in = 500 ÷ 81 = 6.17 yd³.
| Vehicle / Truck | Typical Volume | Weight Limit (100 lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup bed, level | 2-3 yd³ | 5-6 tons |
| Pickup bed, heaped | 3-4 yd³ | 7-9 tons (exceeds most truck ratings!) |
| Small dump truck | 4-6 yd³ | 10-12 tons |
| Standard dump truck (single axle) | 10-12 yd³ | 20-25 tons |
| Tri-axle dump | 12-16 yd³ | 30-35 tons |
| Concrete mixer (single) | 9-11 yd³ | — |
| Trailer dump | 20-30 yd³ | 40-50 tons |
A ‘ton’ of gravel at 100 lb/ft³ is 0.74 cubic yards. Most small pickup trucks are rated for ~1 ton of cargo — don't overload.
Real-World Example Calculations
Concrete Patio 14 × 14 ft @ 4 in
Standard backyard patio slab volume for ready-mix concrete order.
- Length × Width
- 14 × 14 ft
- Depth
- 4 in (0.333 ft)
Takeaway: Order 2.66 yd³ with 10% waste. Qualifies for small-load delivery with minimum fee.
Mulch Bed 600 ft² @ 3 in
Complete front-yard mulch refresh for a suburban home.
- Area
- 600 ft²
- Depth
- 3 in (0.25 ft)
Takeaway: Order 6 yd³ (round up for delivery minimums). Bulk delivery much cheaper than ~75 bags.
Foundation Excavation 30 × 40 × 8 ft
Dirt removed during full basement excavation.
- Length × Width
- 40 × 30 ft
- Depth
- 8 ft
Takeaway: Huge removal volume. Dirt swell factor ~20-30% on excavation (loose volume exceeds in-place volume).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet), then divide by 27. For 4-inch depth: area × 0.01234 = yd³ (shortcut). Example: 12 × 20 ft patio at 4 in = 12 × 20 × (4/12) ÷ 27 = 2.96 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?
Exactly 27 cubic feet. A cubic yard is a 3-ft × 3-ft × 3-ft cube; volume = 3³ = 27. This is the core conversion for all construction volume calculations.
How many cubic yards in a truck?
Standard dump truck: 10-12 cubic yards. Concrete mixer: 9-11. Tri-axle dump: 12-16. Pickup truck (level load): 2-3. Always confirm capacity with your supplier before ordering.
How many cubic yards for a 20 × 20 ft slab at 4 inches?
20 × 20 × (4÷12) ÷ 27 = 4.94 cubic yards. Order 5.4 yd³ with 10% waste. Enough for one standard ready-mix truck delivery.
What is the difference between a cubic yard and a square yard?
Cubic yard = volume = 3×3×3 = 27 ft³. Used for bulk materials (concrete, gravel, mulch). Square yard = area = 3×3 = 9 ft². Used for flooring, fabric, landscaping fabric. Very different units — don't mix them up when ordering.
How much does a cubic yard weigh?
Varies by material. Water: 1,685 lb. Concrete: 4,050 lb (2.03 tons). Gravel / crushed stone: 2,700-3,000 lb (1.35-1.50 tons). Topsoil: 2,000-2,200 lb (~1 ton). Mulch: 400-800 lb. Sand: 2,400-2,800 lb.
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic meters?
Multiply by 0.7646. Example: 10 yd³ = 7.65 m³. For reverse: multiply m³ by 1.308 to get yd³. Useful for reading European specs or data sheets.