Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate cubic yards for concrete, gravel, mulch, and more
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What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet on every side. Length, width, and height all come to 3 feet. That works out to 27 cubic feet of volume, or 46,656 cubic inches. Picture a washing machine — that is roughly one cubic yard.
Why does this matter? Most bulk materials in North America are sold by the cubic yard. Concrete, gravel, mulch, topsoil, and sand all use this measurement. Order the wrong number and the project either overspends or runs short mid-install. Both outcomes cost money.
This cubic yard calculator helps users land on the right number the first time. Enter project dimensions, pick a material, and get the volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons.
How the Calculation Works
The math is straightforward. Multiply length by width by depth. Then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet into cubic yards.
Formula: (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Real example. A driveway that is 20 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 4 inches deep needs the following: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.33 ft. Then 20 × 20 × 0.33 = 132 cubic feet. Then 132 ÷ 27 = 4.89 cubic yards. That is the number the supplier needs.
One thing to watch. The depth unit has to match the length and width unit. Enter "4" thinking feet when inches were meant and the result comes out 12 times too big. The calculator handles the conversion, but it helps to know the rule.
How Far Does One Cubic Yard Go?
Coverage depends entirely on depth. Here is what one cubic yard of material covers at common depths.
| Depth | Coverage | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~324 sq ft | Light mulch top-dressing |
| 2 inches | ~162 sq ft | Gravel walkways, garden mulch |
| 3 inches | ~108 sq ft | Standard mulch depth |
| 4 inches | ~81 sq ft | Concrete slabs, patios |
| 6 inches | ~54 sq ft | Driveway base, heavy foot traffic |
So a 200 square foot garden bed at 3 inches deep needs roughly 2 cubic yards. A 4-inch concrete slab across 400 square feet needs about 5 cubic yards.
Material Densities and 2026 Costs
Not all cubic yards weigh the same. A yard of mulch weighs about 800 pounds. A yard of concrete weighs over 4,000. That difference matters because most suppliers quote heavy materials by weight and light materials by volume.
| Material | Weight per yd³ | Cost per yd³ (2026) | Typical Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | ~4,050 lbs (2.0 tons) | $125 - $150 | 4-6 inches |
| Crushed Stone / Gravel | ~2,565 lbs (1.28 tons) | $40 - $75 | 2-4 inches |
| River Sand | ~3,240 lbs (1.62 tons) | $30 - $60 | 1-3 inches |
| Topsoil (screened, dry) | ~2,000 lbs (1.0 ton) | $18 - $40 | 2-6 inches |
| Bulk Mulch (wood) | ~800 lbs (0.4 tons) | $25 - $65 | 2-4 inches |
When a material is selected in this calculator, it automatically multiplies the volume by the right density. The result shows tons alongside cubic yards, which is what most suppliers want.
Common Mistakes With Cubic Yard Calculations
A few errors come up again and again. All of them cost money.
- Confusing cubic yards with square yards. Square yards measure area (2D). Cubic yards measure volume (3D). A 10×10 patio is 100 square feet. Add 4 inches of concrete and the volume is 1.23 cubic yards. Different measurements entirely — our guide on the difference between sq ft and cubic ft walks through the same trap.
- Confusing tons with cubic yards. Tons measure weight. Cubic yards measure volume. One ton of mulch and one ton of concrete take up very different spaces. That is why the calculator shows both.
- Wrong depth unit. Entering "4" thinking inches when the tool is set to feet. Result comes out 12 times too large. Always check the unit dropdown before typing.
- No waste buffer. Real projects need 5-10% extra for spillage, settling, and compaction. For a 5 cubic yard concrete pour, order 5.5. Material cannot be added after it sets.
- Assuming a pickup holds a full yard. A half-ton pickup bed holds one cubic yard by volume. But by weight, heavy materials like gravel and concrete will overload the truck past half a yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cubic yard? ▼
A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on each side. That equals 27 cubic feet or 46,656 cubic inches. Bulk materials like concrete, gravel, mulch, and topsoil are sold in cubic yards across North America.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard? ▼
27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. A project measuring 81 cubic feet needs exactly 3 cubic yards.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards? ▼
Multiply square footage by depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 200 square foot garden bed at 3 inches deep (0.25 ft) works out to 200 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard weigh? ▼
It varies by material. Concrete runs around 2 tons per yard. Gravel is about 1.3 tons. Sand is roughly 1.6 tons. Mulch is only 0.4 tons. Topsoil sits around 1 ton. This calculator uses these density values automatically.
Do I need to add extra for waste? ▼
Yes. Add 5-10% for spillage, settling, and compaction. For a 10 cubic yard order, plan 10.5-11. Better to have material left over than to fall short and pay a second delivery fee.
Will a cubic yard fit in a pickup truck? ▼
By volume, most half-ton pickup beds hold about one cubic yard. But weight limits matter. A full yard of concrete or gravel will overload a half-ton truck. Light materials like mulch travel fine.
Before You Order
Two things to do once the number is in hand.
First, add the 5-10% buffer. Real jobs rarely match the plan. Compaction, spillage, and slight uneven ground eat into the total.
Second, call the supplier with both numbers: cubic yards and tons. If they quote by volume, the yard count works. If they quote by weight, the tonnage works. Either way, the calculator has both.
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