Cubic Yard Calculator

Understanding Cubic Yards

A cubic yard is the standard unit for measuring and ordering bulk construction materials in the United States. One cubic yard equals a volume that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet deep — or 27 cubic feet total. Nearly all ready-mix concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch, and sand are sold by the cubic yard.

Getting your cubic yard calculation right is critical because these materials are expensive to deliver. Under-ordering means a second delivery trip (usually $50–$150 per trip), while over-ordering means paying for material you don't need and finding somewhere to dump the excess.

The Cubic Yard Formula

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27

All measurements must be in feet for this formula. If depth is in inches, divide by 12 first to convert to feet. If measurements are in yards, the formula simplifies to Length × Width × Depth directly (no division by 27 needed since you're already in yards).

Cubic Yards by Material Type

Different materials have different weights per cubic yard, which matters for delivery vehicle capacity and structural load calculations:

• Concrete: ~2 tons per cubic yard. A standard concrete truck holds 8–10 cubic yards (16–20 tons).
• Gravel: ~1.4 tons per cubic yard. A dump truck typically carries 10–14 cubic yards.
• Topsoil: ~1.1 tons per cubic yard. Moisture content significantly affects weight.
• Sand: ~1.3 tons per cubic yard. Wet sand can weigh up to 1.6 tons/yd³.
• Mulch: ~0.4 tons per cubic yard. Very light; a dump truck can haul 15–20 cubic yards of mulch.
• Crushed stone: ~1.4 tons per cubic yard. Similar to gravel depending on stone type.
• Asphalt: ~2 tons per cubic yard. Hot-mix asphalt is denser than most aggregates.

Common Project Volumes

Here are typical cubic yard requirements for common projects to help you sanity-check your calculation:

• Concrete sidewalk (4 ft × 50 ft × 4 in): 2.5 cubic yards
• Patio slab (12 ft × 12 ft × 4 in): 1.8 cubic yards
• Driveway (20 ft × 40 ft × 4 in): 9.9 cubic yards
• Garden bed fill (10 ft × 20 ft × 6 in): 3.7 cubic yards of topsoil
• Gravel driveway base (20 ft × 40 ft × 6 in): 14.8 cubic yards
• French drain trench (2 ft × 50 ft × 2 ft): 7.4 cubic yards of gravel

Waste Factor: How Much Extra to Order

Always order more material than your exact calculation shows. The industry standard waste factors are:

• Concrete: 5–10% extra. Uneven subgrade, forms that aren't perfectly level, and spillage all consume material.
• Gravel and stone: 10–15% extra. Material spreads and compacts beyond the calculated area.
• Topsoil: 10% extra. Settling after placement reduces the final depth.
• Mulch: 5–10% extra. Light material that can blow or wash away during installation.

Converting Between Units

Here are the key volume conversions for construction:

• 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
• 1 cubic yard = 46,656 cubic inches
• 1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic meters
• 1 cubic yard = 201.97 US gallons
• 1 cubic meter = 1.308 cubic yards

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate cubic yards?

Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. If your depth is in inches, divide it by 12 first. For example: 20 ft × 10 ft × (6 in ÷ 12) = 100 cu ft ÷ 27 = 3.7 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

Exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27). This is the foundational conversion for all bulk material ordering in the US construction industry.

How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?

Wet ready-mix concrete weighs approximately 3,900–4,050 lbs (about 2 tons) per cubic yard. Cured concrete weighs slightly less at about 3,600 lbs per cubic yard due to water evaporation during the curing process.

How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?

A cubic yard of gravel weighs 2,400–2,800 lbs (1.2–1.4 tons) depending on the type and moisture. Crushed limestone and granite are on the heavier end; pea gravel and river rock tend to be lighter.

How many wheelbarrow loads in a cubic yard?

A standard 6-cubic-foot wheelbarrow holds about 0.22 cubic yards. You'll need approximately 14 full wheelbarrow loads to move one cubic yard. A larger 8-cubic-foot contractor wheelbarrow reduces that to about 10 loads.

How do I convert cubic yards to tons?

Multiply cubic yards by the material's density factor: concrete × 2, gravel × 1.4, soil × 1.1, sand × 1.3, mulch × 0.4. These are approximations — ask your supplier for their specific material weights.

Related Calculators

• Concrete Calculator — cubic yards, bag counts, and cost for concrete
• Asphalt Calculator — tons and cost for asphalt paving
• Gravel Calculator — tons and cost for gravel and crushed stone

These calculations are estimates for planning purposes. Material weights vary by type, moisture content, and supplier. Always confirm quantities with your material supplier before ordering.