Why do you divide by 27 to find cubic yards?

You divide by 27 because there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. One linear yard equals 3 linear feet. Therefore, a 3-dimensional cube measuring 1 yard on each side equals 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are exactly 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. For bagged materials, 1 cubic yard equals 13.5 bags of 2.0 cu. ft. mulch, 9 bags of 3.0 cu. ft. mulch, or 36 bags of 0.75 cu. ft. (40 lb) topsoil.

How many wheelbarrow loads make a cubic yard?

A standard contractor wheelbarrow holds 3 cubic feet of material. Since 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, it takes exactly 9 full wheelbarrow loads (27 ÷ 3 = 9) to move 1 cubic yard. For smaller residential 2 cu. ft. wheelbarrows, it takes 13.5 to 14 loads.

Universal Formula: (Feet × Feet × Feet) ÷ 27

Cubic Yards Calculator

Q: What is the universal formula to calculate cubic yards?

The universal formula is: Cubic Yards = (Length in feet × Width in feet × Depth in feet) ÷ 27. If your depth is measured in inches, divide the inches by 12 first: Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × (Depth in ÷ 12)) ÷ 27.

Q: How do you calculate cubic yards for a circle or round area?

To calculate cubic yards for a circular area or round garden bed: 1. Divide diameter by 2 to get the radius. 2. Calculate surface area using Area = π × (Radius)². 3. Multiply area by depth in feet (Depth in inches ÷ 12). 4. Divide total cubic feet by 27. The full formula is: Cubic Yards = (3.14159 × (Diameter ÷ 2)² × (Depth ÷ 12)) ÷ 27.

Q: How do you calculate cubic yards for a triangular area?

To calculate cubic yards for a triangle: 1. Calculate surface area: Area = 0.5 × Base (ft) × Height (ft). 2. Multiply area by depth in feet: Cu. Ft. = Area × (Depth in inches ÷ 12). 3. Divide by 27: Cubic Yards = (0.5 × Base × Height × (Depth ÷ 12)) ÷ 27.

Q: How do you convert cubic yards to cubic meters?

To convert cubic yards to cubic meters, multiply the cubic yards by 0.764555. For example, 5 cubic yards × 0.764555 = 3.82 cubic meters. To convert from cubic meters to cubic yards, multiply cubic meters by 1.30795.

Calculate cubic yards instantly for any landscaping or construction project. Easy formula for rectangular, circular, and triangular areas with live cubic feet and cubic meter conversions.

Rectangle, Circle & Triangle Cu. Yds, Cu. Ft. & m³ Instant Cost & Weight Estimates

Project Shape & Dimensions

Select Area Shape

Length (Feet)

Width (Feet)

Surface Area:

288.0 sq. ft. (26.8 m²)

Depth or Thickness (Inches) Standard mulch/gravel is 3"

Material Weight & Budget (Optional)

Material Type (Weight Estimation) Topsoil avg: 1.15 tons per cubic yard

Price per Cubic Yard ($)

Average bulk material: $30 - $65/yd

Instant Yardage Output Rectangle Shape

Total Volume Required

2.67 cu. yd.

72.0 Total Cubic Feet

Metric Volume

2.04

Cubic Meters (m³) 1 yd³ = 0.7646 m³

Contractor Loads

Wheelbarrows 3 cu. ft. contractor loads

Material Specs & Estimate Excludes taxes/delivery

Estimated Weight: 3.07 Tons (~6,141 lbs)

Est. Material Cost ($45/yd): $120.15

Bag Equivalents: 36 (2 cu ft) | 96 (40 lb dirt)

Universal Mathematical Guide

How to Calculate Cubic Yards: The Universal Formula

A cubic yard is a standard unit of three-dimensional volume equal to a cube that is 1 yard (3 feet) wide, 1 yard long, and 1 yard deep. Here is the step-by-step math.

The Golden Yardage Rule

Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27

Because landscaping and concrete depths are universally specified in inches, always divide the depth by 12 first to convert into feet before multiplying.

Why 27?

3 × 3 × 3 = 27

27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard

1. Rectangles & Squares

Driveways, patios, garden beds, standard trenches, and walkways.

Area = Length × Width

Yards = (L × W × (D ÷ 12)) ÷ 27

Example: 24 ft × 12 ft bed at 3" depth = 288 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 72 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.67 cu yds.

2. Circular & Round Beds

Round tree rings, circular fire pit zones, and round fountain foundations.

Radius = Diameter ÷ 2

Yards = (π × r² × (D ÷ 12)) ÷ 27

Example: 16 ft circle at 3" depth: r = 8 ft. Area = π × 64 = 201.06 sq ft. Volume = 50.27 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.86 cu yds.

3. Triangular Corner Beds

Property corners, driveway junctions, and angular landscaping wedges.

Area = 0.5 × Base × Height

Yards = (0.5 × B × H × (D ÷ 12)) ÷ 27

Example: 20 ft base × 12 ft height at 3" depth = 120 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 30 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.11 cu yds.

The 4-Step Universal Calculation Process

Measure Area

Determine surface dimensions in feet to find total square footage.

Convert Depth

Take project depth in inches and divide by 12 to convert into feet.

Find Cubic Feet

Multiply Square Feet by Depth in Feet to get total cubic feet volume.

Divide By 27

Divide total cubic feet by 27 to obtain exact cubic yards required.

Quick Reference Lookup

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Conversion Table

Use this comprehensive chart to immediately convert cubic feet into cubic yards, cubic meters, and equivalent bag or wheelbarrow loads.

Cubic Feet (cu. ft.)	Cubic Yards (cu. yd.)	Cubic Meters (m³)	2 cu. ft. Bags	Wheelbarrow Loads	Typical Scale / Vehicle
1 cu. ft.	0.037 yd³	0.028 m³	0.5 bag	1/3 load	Flower pot / planter
2 cu. ft.	0.074 yd³	0.057 m³	1 Full Bag	2/3 load	1 Retail bag mulch
3 cu. ft.	0.111 yd³	0.085 m³	1.5 bags	1 Wheelbarrow	1 Contractor wheelbarrow
9 cu. ft.	0.333 yd³ (1/3 yd)	0.255 m³	4.5 bags	3 loads	Raised planter box
13.5 cu. ft.	0.500 yd³ (1/2 yd)	0.382 m³	7 bags	4.5 loads	Small garden border
27 cu. ft.	1.000 Cu. Yd.	0.765 m³	13.5 bags	9 loads	Standard bulk yard scoop
54 cu. ft.	2.000 yd³	1.529 m³	27 bags	18 loads	Standard 6ft pickup truck bed
81 cu. ft.	3.000 yd³	2.294 m³	40.5 bags	27 loads	Full size 8ft bed / utility trailer
108 cu. ft.	4.000 yd³	3.058 m³	54 bags	36 loads	Single-axle dump trailer
135 cu. ft.	5.000 yd³	3.823 m³	67.5 bags	45 loads	Small municipal dump truck
270 cu. ft.	10.00 yd³	7.646 m³	135 bags	90 loads	Standard commercial dump truck
540 cu. ft.	20.00 yd³	15.29 m³	270 bags	180 loads	Tri-axle commercial bulk hauler

Weight & Transport Logistics

How Much Does 1 Cubic Yard Weigh?

Volume remains constant, but weight varies dramatically depending on the density and moisture content of the material you are ordering.

Concrete & Heavy Aggregates

Ready-mix concrete, quarry crushed rock, and granite gravel.

Wet Concrete: ~4,050 lbs (2.03 Tons)
Crushed Gravel: ~2,800 lbs (1.40 Tons)
Coarse Sand: ~2,700 lbs (1.35 Tons)

⚠️ Exceeds standard 1/2-ton pickup payload limits for 1 full yard. Requires heavy-duty 3/4 ton truck or commercial delivery.

Topsoil & Garden Earth

Screened loam, fill dirt, compost blends, and potting mixes.

Screened Topsoil: ~2,300 lbs (1.15 Tons)
Saturated Clay Dirt: ~2,700 lbs (1.35 Tons)
Mushroom Compost: ~1,300 lbs (0.65 Tons)

✓ 1 yard of dry topsoil can safely fit in standard 8ft truck beds without overloading suspension.

Mulch & Bark Chips

Shredded hardwood, dyed cedar, pine bark, and wood nuggets.

Dry Shredded Bark: ~600 - 800 lbs (0.4 Ton)
Wet Dyed Mulch: ~900 - 1,000 lbs (0.5 Ton)
Pine Straw: ~300 - 400 lbs (0.2 Ton)

✓ Lightest material by volume. A pickup truck bed can easily carry 2 full cubic yards of mulch without sagging.

Pro Field Techniques

How to Measure Irregular or Curved Landscapes

Most real-world yards are not perfect rectangles. Use the decomposition technique used by landscape architects.

Split Into Geometric Zones

Break your winding garden bed into discrete geometrical sections: one large center rectangle, semicircles around trees, and triangles for tapering boundary corners.

Calculate & Sum Each Zone

Use our shape toggle above to calculate the cubic yards for each distinct zone, then sum them together for your master project total.

Add a 10% Waste & Compaction Buffer

Always add 10% extra volume (multiply total by 1.10) to account for subgrade settling, wheelbarrow spillage, irregular edging, and natural material compaction.

Frequently Asked Questions