What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 3 feet (or 1 yard) on each side. It equals 27 cubic feet, 46,656 cubic inches, or approximately 0.7646 cubic meters. The cubic yard is the standard unit for ordering bulk construction materials in the United States, including concrete, soil, mulch, gravel, sand, and compost. Understanding how to calculate cubic yards accurately is essential for every construction and landscaping project.
One cubic yard of material can be visualized as a cube roughly the size of a standard kitchen stove. In practical terms, one cubic yard of concrete covers a 10-foot by 10-foot area at about 3.25 inches thick, or about 6 wheelbarrow loads of soil. Ordering the correct number of cubic yards prevents the waste and expense of excess material or the delays caused by running short.
Cubic Yard Formula
If dimensions are in inches, divide each by 12 first. If in meters, multiply the result in cubic meters by 1.30795 to get cubic yards.
Common Conversions
| From | To Cubic Yards | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Feet | Cubic Yards | ÷ 27 |
| Cubic Inches | Cubic Yards | ÷ 46,656 |
| Cubic Meters | Cubic Yards | × 1.30795 |
| Liters | Cubic Yards | ÷ 764.55 |
| US Gallons | Cubic Yards | ÷ 201.97 |
Material Weight per Cubic Yard
| Material | Weight (lbs/yd³) | Weight (tons/yd³) |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 4,050 | 2.03 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 2,000 | 1.00 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Gravel | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Mulch | 400-800 | 0.20-0.40 |
| Compost | 1,000 | 0.50 |
Worked Example
Calculate cubic yards for a 10 ft × 10 ft area, 6 inches deep:
Cubic Yards = 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Since a yard equals 3 feet, a cubic yard equals 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
How many wheelbarrows in a cubic yard?
A standard wheelbarrow holds about 3 cubic feet, so one cubic yard requires about 9 wheelbarrow loads. A large contractor wheelbarrow may hold 6 cubic feet, requiring about 4.5 loads per cubic yard.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
Dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 pounds per cubic yard (1 ton). Wet soil can weigh 2,500-3,000 pounds per cubic yard due to the additional water weight. Clay soils are heavier than sandy soils.
How do I calculate cubic yards for an irregular shape?
For irregular areas, divide the space into rectangles, triangles, or circles. Calculate the volume of each section separately, then add them together. For odd-shaped areas, use the average of multiple width measurements multiplied by the length and depth.