Cubic Yards Calculator
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Enter your dimensions below to see cubic yards, cubic feet, tons, and delivery truck loads instantly — for concrete, gravel, mulch, topsoil, and 6 more bulk materials.
Enter depth in inches (4 inches = standard slab).
Your result
Order 2 cubic yards of concrete (poured) from your supplier.
33.3
cubic feet
for bagged products
2.5
US tons (dry)
Concrete density
0.1
truck loads
9–10 CY ready-mix
Formula: L × W × D ÷ 27 · Tons use ACI 318-19 §26.4.
10 Materials, Live Tons
Auto-converts to US short tons using ACI and ASTM density values.
Delivery Truck Loads
See how many ready-mix or dry-bulk truck loads your result needs.
CCM-Reviewed Formulas
Field-tested coverage rates from Marcus Johnson, CCM.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
To calculate cubic yards, multiply length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft), then divide by 27. For a 10×10-foot patio at 4 inches thick: (10 × 10 × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 1.23 cubic yards. Convert depth from inches to feet by dividing by 12 before placing values into the formula.
The Cubic Yards Formula
The cubic yards formula divides cubic feet by 27 because one cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet on every side (3 × 3 × 3 = 27). The unit conversion is defined by NIST SP 811 (2008), Table 8.
What one cubic yard looks like
One cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. Its volume equals 27 cubic feet, 46,656 cubic inches, or roughly 201.97 US gallons. Visualizing the cube helps you sanity-check calculator results before ordering.
Worked Example — 10 × 10 Concrete Patio at 4 Inches
A rectangular patio measuring 10 feet × 10 feet, poured 4 inches thick, with concrete as the material:
For concrete specifically, the concrete calculator returns bag counts by weight (40 / 60 / 80 lb) and includes PSI-based mix options for footings and slabs on grade.
Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Conversion
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet on each side (3 × 3 × 3 = 27). To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide the cubic feet figure by 27. To convert cubic yards to cubic feet, multiply by 27.
One cubic yard also equals 46,656 cubic inches, roughly 201.97 US gallons, or 0.7646 cubic meters. The 27-to-1 ratio is the conversion every US bulk-material supplier quotes against.
Need to go the other direction? The cubic feet calculator handles the inverse with the same density selector.
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet | Tons (concrete) | Tons (gravel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 13.5 | 1.01 | 0.71 |
| 1 | 27 | 2.03 | 1.42 |
| 2 | 54 | 4.05 | 2.84 |
| 5 | 135 | 10.13 | 7.10 |
| 10 | 270 | 20.25 | 14.20 |
Concrete density: 2.025 tons/yd³ (ACI 318-19). Crushed gravel density: 1.42 tons/yd³ (ASTM C33).
Cubic Yards by Material Type
The tonnage for a given number of cubic yards depends entirely on the material’s density. Concrete is roughly 2 tons per cubic yard; mulch is roughly one-sixth of that. Use the density factor (tons/yd³) column when suppliers quote by the ton. Wet densities apply when material has absorbed water — most suppliers quote dry weight at pickup and wet weight on delivery.
| Material | lb/yd³ (dry) | Tons/yd³ (dry) | Tons/yd³ (wet) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (poured) | 4,050 | 2.025 | ~2.10 | ACI 318-19 §26.4 |
| Gravel (crushed) | 2,835 | 1.42 | ~1.69 | ASTM C33/C33M-18 |
| Topsoil | 2,430 | 1.22 | ~1.62 | AASHTO M 57 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,700 | 1.35 | ~1.62 | ASTM C33 |
| Mulch (wood chip) | 675 | 0.34 | ~0.50 | Industry est. |
| Fill Dirt | 2,295 | 1.15 | ~1.45 | Industry est. |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | 3,915 | 1.96 | ~2.00 | NAPA / Asphalt Institute |
| Crushed Stone (limestone) | 2,565 | 1.28 | ~1.45 | ASTM C33 |
| River Gravel | 2,700 | 1.35 | ~1.62 | Industry est. |
| Pea Gravel | 2,430 | 1.22 | ~1.35 | Industry est. |
Note on units: all tons are US short tons (1 ton = 2,000 lb). Metric tonnes (1 tonne = 2,204.6 lb) are roughly 10% heavier per unit — confirm with your supplier if they quote metric.
Calculating a specific material? Jump directly to the gravel calculator, mulch calculator, or topsoil calculator for material-specific defaults and coverage maps.
How Much Area Does 1 Cubic Yard Cover?
The coverage area of one cubic yard is inversely proportional to depth. Shallower applications (mulch topdress, leveling sand) cover more square feet per yard; deeper applications (patios, driveway bases) cover less. The table below shows how many square feet one cubic yard covers at each standard depth.
| Depth | 1 yd³ covers | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | Thin mulch topdress; sand leveling course |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | Standard mulch bed; paver setting bed |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | Heavy mulch; driveway wearing course |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | Concrete patio; driveway base |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | Concrete driveway; gravel base course |
| 8 inches | 40.5 sq ft | Sub-base for heavy traffic; deep footings |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft | Deep fill; raised garden beds |
From the field
“I always measure the depth twice — at the edge and in the middle. Driveways and lawns settle over time, so the '3-inch' bed you measured is often 4 inches by the time you're actually buying material.”
Typical Project Sizes (Sanity Check Your Number)
Before ordering, compare the calculator’s result against the typical cubic-yard range for a similar project. If your figure is more than 50% off the benchmark, re-measure — most over-orders trace back to a double-counted dimension or an inch-vs-foot mix-up.
| Project | Typical volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small garden bed (8 × 10 ft) | 0.5–1 yd³ | At 2–3 in of topsoil or mulch |
| Large garden bed (20 × 10 ft) | 1–2 yd³ | At 3–4 in depth, with compost mix |
| Concrete patio (10 × 10 ft) | 1.2–1.5 yd³ | At 4 in thick — order 1.3 with waste |
| Sidewalk (3 × 30 ft) | 1.1 yd³ | At 4 in thick — bagged often cheaper |
| Two-car driveway (20 × 24 ft) | 5.9 yd³ | At 4 in thick (concrete) — order 6.5 yd³ |
| Driveway base course (20 × 24 ft) | 5.9 yd³ | At 4 in of compacted gravel |
| Shed foundation (10 × 12 ft) | 0.9–1.5 yd³ | At 4–6 in thick |
| French drain trench (40 ft × 1 ft) | 1.5 yd³ | At 12 in deep — includes 10% overage |
| Fire pit / fire ring base | 0.2–0.4 yd³ | 6–8 in of paver base |
Ranges assume residential conditions in the continental US. Commercial specs, structural thickening, and cold-climate frost depths can push volumes 20–40% higher.
Ballpark Cost Per Cubic Yard (2026 US Averages)
Material prices vary sharply by region, season, and supplier. The ranges below are 2026 US national averages for delivered bulk material — use them as a sanity check when calling suppliers, not as a quote. Bagged equivalents include the hidden premium most buyers pay at the big-box store.
| Material | Bulk $/yd³ | Bagged equiv. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (ready-mix) | $130–$180 | $225–$270 (80-lb × 45) | Short-load fee $50–$150 under 5 yd³ |
| Gravel (crushed) | $35–$80 | $110+ (DIY from big-box) | Plus delivery: $75–$200 per load |
| Topsoil (screened) | $25–$55 | $95+ (40-qt bags) | Organic/garden blends cost 30–60% more |
| Mulch (wood chip) | $30–$50 | $75+ (2-cu-ft bags × 14) | Dyed mulch adds $10–$15/yd³ |
| Sand (concrete/mason) | $25–$45 | $80+ (50-lb bags × 54) | Filter and play sand priced higher |
| Fill dirt | $15–$30 | — | Often free locally; confirm before hauling |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | $100–$200 | $250+ (cold patch) | Requires immediate placement and compaction |
| River gravel (decorative) | $55–$95 | $150+ (bags) | Premium sizes and colors cost more |
On seasonal pricing
“Concrete pricing jumps every spring when the plants reopen after winter. If you can pour in October or early November, you'll typically save 8 to 12 percent against a May quote. The flip side: winter delivery minimums and cold-weather surcharges can erase that savings.”
Plan Your Order (Trucks, Waste Factors, Bulk vs. Bags)
Once the calculator returns a cubic yards figure, the next decision is how to order the material. Marcus Johnson, CCM recommends reconciling the number against truck capacity before calling a supplier — every supplier quotes differently once you cross the full-truck threshold.
Ordering Bulk Delivery (Trucks and Loads)
| Truck Type | Capacity (CY) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete truck | 9–10 CY (11 CY legal max) | Slabs, footings, driveways 5+ cubic yards |
| Mini-load concrete truck | 1.5–4 CY | Small pours (sidewalks, fence posts, steps) |
| Dry-bulk dump truck | 10–14 CY | Gravel, sand, topsoil, mulch, fill dirt |
| Standard pickup (6 ft) | ~0.5 CY | DIY runs from a landscape supplier |
How Much Extra Should I Order? (Waste Factors)
Ordering the exact calculator result is rarely enough. Concrete pours cold-joint if you run short; loose topsoil compacts to 70–80% of its delivered volume; gravel settles under traffic. Add this percentage on top of the raw cubic yards result before placing the order.
| Material | Recommended Extra | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete (poured) | +5–10% | Cold joints if you run short; form and settle loss. |
| Topsoil / fill dirt | +20–30% | Loose soil compacts to 70–80% of its delivered volume. |
| Gravel / crushed stone | +10–15% | Settles about 10% under compaction and traffic. |
| Sand (dry) | +10% | Absorbs moisture, then settles into voids. |
| Mulch | +5% | Minor settling; overage covers uneven beds. |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | +5% | Cooling during lay reduces placed volume. |
Bulk vs. Bags — Which Is Cheaper?
Cost per cubic yard changes sharply around the 2- and 5-yard thresholds. 2026 US averages, for reference:
- Under 2 cubic yards: bagged concrete usually wins. 1 cubic yard = about 45 bags of 80-lb mix at roughly $225–$270 total.
- 2 to 5 cubic yards: ask about mini-load or short-load pricing. Expect roughly $150/CY plus a short-load fee of $50–$150.
- 5+ cubic yards: a full ready-mix truck is the clear value — roughly $130–$180/CY depending on region, additives, and delivery distance.
Cost ranges are 2026 US national averages; local pricing varies by region, fuel surcharges, and mix specification. Confirm with two suppliers before committing.
Avoiding short-load fees
“Short-load fees catch homeowners off guard. A 3-yard pour often costs the same as 5 yards after the short-load charge. If you're close to the threshold, it's worth expanding the scope — pour a second pad, a walkway, or a mow strip — rather than paying the fee.”
What to Calculate Next
Cubic yards is the order unit. Once the volume is set, the next step is material-specific: bag counts for concrete, bag counts for mulch, coverage depth for gravel. These calculators pick up where this one leaves off.
Concrete Calculator →
Cubic yards plus bag counts (40 / 60 / 80 lb) and PSI options for slabs, footings, and columns.
Gravel Calculator →
Cubic yards, tons, and compaction factors for crushed gravel, crushed stone, and pea gravel.
Mulch Calculator →
Cubic yards and bag counts for wood chip, bark, and dyed mulch by bed depth.
Topsoil Calculator →
Cubic yards for garden beds and lawn fill with compaction adjustment built in.
Expert Methodology, Reviewer, and Sources
Reviews: project calculators · 31 calculators reviewed
Marcus Johnson is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) with 20 years of experience in residential and commercial site work. He holds CCM certification from CMAA (member #2019-1247). He has managed NALP-member landscape installation projects covering more than 2 million square feet of site work. At CalcSummit, he writes all landscape volume and bulk-material calculators, applying field-tested coverage rates for mulch, gravel, sand, topsoil, and fill dirt.
Full profile →Standards and sources cited on this page
Last reviewed: by Marcus Johnson, CCM · Engineering verification by Alex Rivera, PE · Next scheduled review: April 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eight of the highest-frequency People Also Ask questions for cubic yards calculations, answered in the exact phrasing users search.