How the cubic yard calculator is calculated
cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
to order = cubic yards × (1 + extra percent)
Worked example: 12 by 10 feet, 6 inches deep
These are the example defaults loaded in the calculator above: 12 by 10 feet at 6 inches deep, with 5% extra.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| 12 x 10 ft x (6 / 12) | 60 cu ft |
| 60 ÷ 27 | 2.222 cu yd |
| Plus 5% extra | 2.33 cu yd |
Every default in the calculator is an example so you can see a result straight away. None is a market average. Replace each with your own costs and rates.
Why divide by 27
A cubic yard is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep, so it holds 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cubic feet. To go from cubic feet to cubic yards you divide by 27. The common slip is to measure depth in inches and forget to change it to feet first. The depth unit selector does that for you.
Where this gets used
Soil, sand, gravel, mulch, fill and concrete are all sold by the cubic yard. The sum is the same for every one of them. What differs is what you do next: tons for stone, bags for mulch, bags or a truck for concrete. Use the page for the material you are buying when there is one: gravel, mulch or concrete.
How many cubic yards in a truckload
It depends on the truck. Capacity is set by the truck's bed or box, and delivery companies state it for each vehicle. Ask the supplier for the capacity of the truck that is coming and divide your total by it to see how many loads to expect.
Turn this into an estimate or invoice
The button under the result carries the volume into the document generator as a line with a quantity in cubic yards. To price the whole job, open the cost estimator. For designs and presets for outdoor work, see the landscaper invoice page.
Related calculators
- Concrete calculatorYards, bags and cost for a slab or footing
- Gravel calculatorCubic yards and tons of stone
- Mulch calculatorCubic yards and bags for beds
- Square footage calculatorArea of rooms and sections
Questions people ask
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide by 27. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard because 3 x 3 x 3 = 27. So 60 cubic feet is 2.22 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards in a truckload?
It depends on the truck. Ask the supplier for the capacity of the truck that will deliver, then divide your total cubic yards by that figure.
How do I figure yards of dirt?
Multiply length, width and depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. If your depth is in inches, divide the inches by 12 first. Add a small allowance for settling.
How is this different from the concrete calculator?
The volume sum is the same. The concrete calculator goes on to bags, forms and cost for a slab or footing, while this page only gives the volume for any material.
How do I go from cubic yards to cubic meters?
Multiply cubic yards by 0.7646. The calculator shows cubic meters for you.