How to calculate cubic yards
A cubic yard is a box 3 feet on every side, or 27 cubic feet. Bulk soil, gravel, mulch and concrete are ordered this way.
Cubic feet = area (sq ft) × depth (ft)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Cubic meters = cubic feet × 0.0283
Worked example
A 10 by 10 foot area filled 6 inches deep: 100 sq ft × 0.5 ft = 50 cubic feet. 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards, so order 2 yards.
How far a cubic yard goes
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
Tips for ordering
- Loose materials such as soil and gravel settle when compacted. Add 5 to 10% if you will tamp or roll them.
- Most suppliers deliver in 1/2 yard or 1 yard steps and charge a delivery fee for small loads.
- For bags, weights and waste for a specific material, use the concrete, mulch, soil and gravel or paver calculators.
Common questions
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. A 10 by 10 foot area 6 inches deep is 10 × 10 × 0.5 = 50 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
At 3 inches deep, one cubic yard covers 108 sq ft. At 2 inches it covers 162 sq ft, and at 4 inches 81 sq ft.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply by the material's weight per cubic yard. Gravel is roughly 1.4 tons per yard and topsoil about 1.1, but it varies with moisture and stone type, so ask your supplier.