# Cubic Yard Calculator

Convert length, width, and depth to cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters. Free calculator for concrete, gravel, mulch, soil, and fill material.

## What this calculates

Cubic yards are the standard unit for ordering bulk construction materials like concrete, gravel, mulch, topsoil, and sand. Enter your project dimensions in feet and inches, and this calculator instantly converts to cubic yards along with cubic feet and cubic meters.

## Inputs

- **Length** (ft) — min 0 — Length of the area in feet
- **Width** (ft) — min 0 — Width of the area in feet
- **Depth** (in) — min 0 — Depth or thickness in inches

## Outputs

- **Volume** (yd³) — Total volume in cubic yards
- **Volume** (ft³) — Total volume in cubic feet
- **Volume** (m³) — Total volume in cubic meters
- **60-lb Concrete Bags** — Approximate number of 60-lb bags (0.45 ft³ each)

## Details

The formula is simple: Volume = Length x Width x (Depth in inches / 12), then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet (3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft).

This conversion is essential for ordering materials from suppliers who sell by the cubic yard. Common uses include estimating concrete for slabs, gravel for driveways, mulch for landscaping, topsoil for garden beds, and sand for leveling projects.

The calculator also shows the equivalent number of 60-lb concrete bags for smaller projects where bagged mix is more practical than ordering a ready-mix truck. Each 60-lb bag yields approximately 0.45 cubic feet of mixed concrete.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?**

A: There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A cubic yard is a volume measuring 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet deep (3 x 3 x 3 = 27).

**Q: How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?**

A: A cubic yard of wet concrete weighs approximately 3,900 to 4,050 pounds (about 2 tons). Dry concrete mix weighs slightly less at around 3,600 pounds per cubic yard.

**Q: How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard?**

A: A standard 6-cubic-foot wheelbarrow holds about 0.22 cubic yards. So one cubic yard requires approximately 14 wheelbarrow loads. A larger 8-cubic-foot wheelbarrow needs about 10 loads per cubic yard.

**Q: When should I use bags vs. ordering a truck?**

A: For projects under 1 cubic yard (about 27 cubic feet), pre-mixed bags are practical. For 1-2 cubic yards, it depends on your timeline and budget. For anything over 2 cubic yards, ordering a ready-mix truck is significantly more efficient and usually more cost-effective.

**Q: How do I convert cubic yards to tons?**

A: The conversion depends on the material. Gravel weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, sand about 1.3 tons, topsoil about 1.1 tons, and mulch about 0.4 tons. Multiply cubic yards by the material's weight factor.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/conversion/cubic-yard
Category: Conversion
Last updated: 2026-04-21