How to do it
- 1
Find the volume in cubic feet
Multiply length, width, and depth, all in feet, to get cubic feet.
- 2
Divide by 27
Divide the cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. The cubic yard calculator does this for you.
Formula
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 46,656 cubic inches
A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on each side. It equals 27 cubic feet, 46,656 cubic inches, and about 0.765 cubic meters.
Worked example
How many cubic yards is a 9 foot by 9 foot area, 4 inches deep?
- 1Convert depth to feet: 4 / 12 = 0.333 feet.
- 2Find cubic feet: 9 x 9 x 0.333 = 27 cubic feet.
- 3Divide by 27: 27 / 27 = 1 cubic yard.
That area holds exactly 1 cubic yard of material.
Definition and dimensions
A cubic yard is a measure of volume, which is the amount of three dimensional space a material fills. It is defined as the space inside a cube that is one yard, or 3 feet, in each direction.
Because each side is 3 feet, the volume is 3 times 3 times 3, which is 27 cubic feet. The same volume is 46,656 cubic inches and about 0.765 cubic meters.
Volume versus area versus length
These three ideas are often confused, so it helps to separate them:
- Length
- A single dimension, measured in units such as feet or yards. A linear yard is 3 feet.
- Area
- Two dimensions, length times width, measured in square units. A square yard is 9 square feet.
- Volume
- Three dimensions, length times width times depth, measured in cubic units. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
What a cubic yard can measure
Cubic yards are used to order and deliver loose and poured materials, such as:
- Concrete for slabs, footings, and steps
- Gravel and crushed stone for driveways and bases
- Topsoil, compost, and fill dirt for landscaping and grading
- Mulch for garden beds
- Sand for paver bases and bedding
How coverage changes with depth
One cubic yard does not cover a fixed area. Spread 1 inch deep it covers 324 square feet, but spread 4 inches deep it covers only 81 square feet. The deeper the layer, the smaller the area a single yard reaches.
Use the coverage table below to see common depths, and the cubic yards to square feet calculator to try your own.
Common misconceptions
Watch out for these mix ups:
- Thinking a cubic yard is the same as a yard, when one is volume and the other is length
- Assuming every cubic yard weighs the same, when weight depends on the material density
- Believing a cubic yard covers a set area, when coverage depends on depth
- Confusing a cubic yard with a square yard
How to calculate cubic yards
To find cubic yards, multiply length, width, and depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. For a full walkthrough with shapes and examples, see how to calculate cubic yards, or use the cubic yard calculator to do it instantly.
Cubic Yard Conversion Table
Each cubic yard amount shown in cubic feet, cubic inches, and cubic meters. Values are generated from the calculation engine.
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Cubic inches | Cubic meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 6.75 | 11,664 | 0.191 |
| 0.5 | 13.5 | 23,328 | 0.382 |
| 0.75 | 20.25 | 34,992 | 0.573 |
| 1 | 27 | 46,656 | 0.765 |
| 2 | 54 | 93,312 | 1.53 |
| 3 | 81 | 139,968 | 2.29 |
| 5 | 135 | 233,280 | 3.82 |
| 10 | 270 | 466,560 | 7.65 |
Coverage by Depth
Square feet covered for each cubic-yard amount and depth, generated from cubic yards times 324 divided by depth in inches.
| Cubic yards | 1 in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in | 12 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
| 2 | 648 sq ft | 324 sq ft | 216 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 5 | 1,620 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft | 405 sq ft | 270 sq ft | 135 sq ft |
Frequently asked questions
- What is a cubic yard?
- A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high, which is 27 cubic feet.
- How big is a cubic yard?
- It is the space inside a 3 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot cube. That equals 27 cubic feet, 46,656 cubic inches, or about 0.765 cubic meters.
- How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
- Exactly 27 cubic feet.
- How much area does a cubic yard cover?
- It depends on depth. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch, 108 square feet at 3 inches, and 81 square feet at 4 inches.
- How much does a cubic yard weigh?
- It depends entirely on the material density. Light materials weigh much less per cubic yard than dense ones, so there is no single weight.
- Is a cubic yard the same as a square yard?
- No. A square yard measures area and is 9 square feet. A cubic yard measures volume and is 27 cubic feet.
- How many cubic yards do I need?
- Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. The cubic yard calculator can do this for any shape.
- How many cubic meters is a cubic yard?
- About 0.765 cubic meters.
Equivalents use the exact relationships of 27 cubic feet and 46,656 cubic inches per cubic yard, and the yard to meter definition of 0.9144. Tables are generated by the calculation engine. See the YardCalc calculation methodology.
Results are planning estimates. Last reviewed 2026-06-16.