Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate volume in cubic yards and cubic feet. Convert requirements into material weights (tons & pounds), pre-mix bag counts, and bulk order costs.
Job-site cuts, irregular contours, compaction, and spillage typically require 5–15% extra material.
Estimate & BOQ Generator
Turn calculated quantities into an itemized customer bid with overhead and profit markup.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
A cubic yard is a standard unit of three-dimensional volume equal to 27 cubic feet (a cube 3 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 3 feet deep). Bulk landscaping and construction materials such as crushed stone, pea gravel, garden topsoil, sand, and mulch are universally quoted and delivered by the cubic yard.
The Standard Cubic Yard Formula
Volume (Cubic Yards) = [Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Depth (in) ÷ 12)] ÷ 27Material Density & Weight Reference
| Material | Density (lb/cu ft) | Weight per Cu Yd (lbs) | Weight per Cu Yd (tons) | Typical Price / Yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed Stone / Aggregate | 110 lb/cu ft | 2,970 lbs | 1.49 tons | $40 – $55 |
| Driveway Gravel | 105 lb/cu ft | 2,835 lbs | 1.42 tons | $35 – $50 |
| Coarse Sand | 100 lb/cu ft | 2,700 lbs | 1.35 tons | $30 – $45 |
| Screened Topsoil | 75 lb/cu ft | 2,025 lbs | 1.01 tons | $25 – $40 |
| Hardwood Bark Mulch | 25 lb/cu ft | 675 lbs | 0.34 tons | $30 – $45 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate cubic yards from feet and inches?▼
Multiply Length (in feet) × Width (in feet) × Depth (in inches ÷ 12) to get total cubic feet. Then divide the total cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. Example: 30 ft × 10 ft × 4 in (0.333 ft) = 100 cu ft ÷ 27 = 3.70 cubic yards.
How many bags of soil or gravel equal 1 cubic yard?▼
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A standard 80 lb bag yields ~0.60 cubic feet, requiring approx. 45 bags for 1 cubic yard. A standard 2 cubic foot mulch bag requires 13.5 bags to equal 1 cubic yard.
How many tons is 1 cubic yard of gravel or topsoil?▼
Weight depends on bulk density: 1 cubic yard of gravel weighs approximately 1.4 to 1.5 tons (2,800–3,000 lbs). 1 cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs approx. 1.0 to 1.1 tons (2,000–2,200 lbs). 1 cubic yard of dry mulch weighs only 0.3 to 0.4 tons (600–800 lbs).
How many cubic yards can a standard pickup truck carry?▼
A standard half-ton pickup truck bed can physically fit 1.5 to 2 cubic yards of light material (like mulch), but for dense materials like gravel or topsoil, payload weight limits typically restrict loads to 0.75 to 1 cubic yard (around 2,000–2,500 lbs).
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