Cubic Yard Calculator

How to calculate cubic yards

Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27

Depth is usually measured in inches, so divide it by 12 first. Use the unit menus beside each box and the calculator converts everything for you.

Worked example

A flower bed 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, covered with mulch 3 inches deep: 20 × 10 × (3 ÷ 12) = 50 ft³. Divide by 27 to get 1.85 cubic yards, or about 25 bags of 2 ft³ mulch.

How deep should I spread it?

Material	Typical depth
Mulch in beds	2–4 in
Topsoil for new lawn	4–6 in
Gravel driveway (top layer)	2–4 in per layer
Sand under pavers	1 in
Raised garden bed fill	Height of the bed

Coverage of one cubic yard

Depth	Area covered by 1 yd³
1 in	324 ft²
2 in	162 ft²
3 in	108 ft²
4 in	81 ft²
6 in	54 ft²

For irregular shapes, split the area into rectangles, work out each one and add them up. For a circle, use the area calculator to get square feet, then multiply by depth in feet and divide by 27.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet high, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.

How many bags of mulch are in a yard?

About 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet, or 18 bags of 1.5 cubic feet.

How much does a cubic yard weigh?

It depends on the material. Mulch weighs about 400–800 lb per yard, topsoil about 2,000 lb and gravel about 2,800 lb. Use the gravel calculator to convert yards to tons.

How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?

Multiply the square feet by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. For example, 300 ft² at 4 inches deep is 300 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 3.7 cubic yards.

Should I order extra?

Yes, add about 5–10%. Materials settle and compact, and it is cheaper to have a little left over than to pay for a second delivery.