How to Calculate Cubic Yards
A cubic yard is one of the most common volume measurements in the United States, used for ordering bulk materials like gravel, sand, mulch, topsoil, and concrete. Understanding how to calculate cubic yards saves money and prevents over- or under-ordering.
Cubic Yards Formula
For a rectangular area:
Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27
The number 27 comes from the fact that one cubic yard equals 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet.
Converting Between Units
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.7646 cubic meters = 201.97 US gallons
- 1 cubic meter = 1.308 cubic yards = 35.31 cubic feet
- 1 cubic foot = 0.037 cubic yards = 7.48 US gallons
Common Material Weights
When ordering materials, you need both volume (cubic yards) and weight (tons) since delivery trucks have weight limits:
- Gravel: 1.4 tons per cubic yard (2,800 lbs)
- Sand: 1.35 tons per cubic yard (2,700 lbs)
- Topsoil: 1.08 tons per cubic yard (2,160 lbs)
- Concrete: 2.0 tons per cubic yard (4,000 lbs)
- Mulch: 0.4 tons per cubic yard (800 lbs)
For storing and transporting bulk materials, consider industrial HDPE containers that resist chemicals, weather, and heavy loads.