Cubic Yard Calculator
Convert length, width and depth into cubic yards and cubic feet for concrete, gravel, soil or mulch, and estimate the weight in tons for common materials.
By CalcBuilt Editorial TeamUpdated September 9, 2026Formulas checked against manufacturer specs, see how we calculate.
Results
- Cubic yards
- 1.85 cu yd
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- Cubic feet
- 50 cu ft
- Length x Width x 6 in depth
- Area covered
- 100 sq ft
- At 6 in deep
Cubic Yard formula
Cubic feet = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (in) / 12
Cubic yards = Cubic feet / 27
Tons = Cubic yards x density (concrete 2.0, gravel 1.4, sand 1.3, topsoil 1.1, mulch 0.4)Worked example
A 30 x 12 ft driveway to be covered with 4 in of gravel: 30 x 12 x (4 / 12) = 120 cubic feet. 120 / 27 = 4.44 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard that is about 6.2 tons of gravel.
Two raised beds each 8 x 4 ft filled 12 in deep: 8 x 4 x 1 x 2 = 64 cubic feet, or 2.37 cubic yards of soil. At 1.1 tons per yard, about 2.6 tons.
Quick reference
| Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 8.3 | 0.31 |
| 2 in | 16.7 | 0.62 |
| 3 in | 25.0 | 0.93 |
| 4 in | 33.3 | 1.23 |
| 6 in | 50.0 | 1.85 |
| 12 in | 100.0 | 3.70 |
How to calculate cubic yards
Measure length and width in feet and depth in inches. Multiply length by width for the area, multiply by depth divided by 12 for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10 by 10 foot area 6 inches deep is 100 x 0.5 = 50 cubic feet, or 1.85 cubic yards.
The most common mistake is forgetting to convert inches to feet before multiplying. Four inches is 0.333 ft, not 4. If you have the depth in feet already, skip the division by 12.
Ordering bulk material
Bulk suppliers sell concrete, gravel, sand, soil and mulch by the cubic yard, and some quote stone and sand by the ton instead. Use the material selector to convert; gravel runs about 1.4 tons per yard, sand 1.3, topsoil 1.1 and dry mulch only 0.4.
Round up and add 5 to 10 percent for settling, spillage and uneven ground. Most suppliers have a one yard minimum and deliver in full or half yard increments, so 1.85 yards usually means ordering 2.
Key facts
- One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, a cube 3 ft on each side, or 0.765 cubic meters.
- One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 in deep, 162 sq ft at 2 in, 108 sq ft at 3 in and 81 sq ft at 4 in.
- A cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 lb, gravel 2,800 lb, sand 2,600 lb, topsoil 2,200 lb and mulch about 800 lb.
- A full-size pickup can carry about one cubic yard of mulch but only about half a yard of gravel or wet soil.
- A 10 cubic yard dumpster holds roughly the debris from a 250 sq ft deck or a small kitchen remodel.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft.
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
It depends on depth: 324 sq ft at 1 in, 162 sq ft at 2 in, 108 sq ft at 3 in, 81 sq ft at 4 in and 54 sq ft at 6 in.
How much does a cubic yard weigh?
Concrete about 4,000 lb, gravel about 2,800 lb, sand about 2,600 lb, topsoil about 2,200 lb and mulch 600 to 1,000 lb depending on moisture.
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
A full-size pickup bed holds about 2 to 2.5 cubic yards by volume, but the payload limit means about 1 yard of mulch or half a yard of gravel or soil.
Sources and references
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C: General Tables of Units of Measurement (NIST)
- DGLVR Materials Calculator (tonnage per cubic yard of aggregate and fill) (Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies)
- CIP 36: Structural Lightweight Concrete (unit weight of normal-weight concrete) (NRMCA)
Next steps for this project
The usual order for a measurement & cost project. See all measurement & cost calculators.
Results are estimates based on standard formulas and typical product specifications. Confirm quantities with your supplier and local code before ordering.