cubic yards to cubic feet calculator
A cubic yards to cubic feet calculator multiplies by 27, since a cubic yard is a 3 × 3 × 3 ft cube: 10 yd³ is 270 cu ft, or about 2,019.7 US gallons.
How do you convert cubic yards to cubic feet?
A cubic yards to cubic feet calculator multiplies the yards by 27. That is because one cubic yard is a cube 3 ft on each side, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. So 10 cubic yards of soil is 270 cubic feet. The calculator also shows the same space in US gallons, at about 201.97 gallons per cubic yard, which gives 2,019.7 gallons for 10 yards.
Type the number of cubic yards from your delivery ticket or quote. You get cubic feet and gallons.
The formula in plain words
- Cubic feet = cubic yards × 27
- Gallons = cubic yards × 201.974
Landscape yards and ready-mix plants sell by the cubic yard. Bags, wheelbarrows, planters, and most area math use cubic feet. This conversion connects them.
Worked examples
Both match the calculator.
- A 10-yard topsoil delivery**
- Cubic feet: 10 × 27 = 270.0 ft³
- Gallons: 10 × 201.974 = 2,019.7 gal
- Spread 3 inches (0.25 ft) deep, 270 ÷ 0.25 = 1,080 sq ft of coverage
- A 2.5-yard mulch order**
- Cubic feet: 2.5 × 27 = 67.5 ft³
- Gallons: 2.5 × 201.974 = 504.9 gal
- In 2 cu ft bags: 67.5 ÷ 2 = 33.75, or about 34 bags
Compare that bag count against a store’s bag price to see whether bulk delivery is worth it.
Conversion table
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 13.5 | 101.0 |
| 1 | 27.0 | 202.0 |
| 2.5 | 67.5 | 504.9 |
| 3 | 81.0 | 605.9 |
| 5 | 135.0 | 1,009.9 |
| 10 | 270.0 | 2,019.7 |
| 15 | 405.0 | 3,029.6 |
| 20 | 540.0 | 4,039.5 |
How far one cubic yard spreads
Coverage = 27 ÷ (depth in inches ÷ 12), or 324 ÷ depth in inches.
| Depth | Square feet per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
| 6 in | 54 |
It is the same 27 cubic feet laid out thinner or thicker. Use it to check that a delivery will cover the bed you measured.
Where the conversion helps
- Splitting a load: If 3 yards must cover two beds, convert to 81 cubic feet first and divide by each bed’s area and depth.
- Bags versus bulk: Bag labels list cubic feet. Convert the bulk quote to compare cost per cubic foot.
- Wheelbarrow planning: Knowing the cubic feet tells you how many trips to expect. The wheelbarrow calculator does that count.
- Tank and pit volume: Excavations are often figured in yards. Gallons tell you what the hole would hold as water.
Bags in one cubic yard
Divide 27 by the bag size in cubic feet to get the bags in one bulk yard.
| Bag size | Typical product | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6 cu ft | 80-lb concrete mix | 45 |
| 0.75 cu ft | 40-lb topsoil | 36 |
| 1.5 cu ft | Garden or potting soil | 18 |
| 2 cu ft | Bagged mulch | 13.5 |
| 3 cu ft | Large mulch or soil bag | 9 |
If a store sells 2 cu ft mulch at a price that makes 13.5 bags cost more than one delivered yard plus the delivery fee, bulk is the better buy.
How to read a delivery ticket
Bulk loads are measured loose in the truck or loader bucket. Soil, mulch, and gravel settle and compact once spread and walked on, so the spread volume often ends up a little less than the ticket. Order a few percent extra for that reason.
Common mistakes
- Using 9 instead of 27. Nine converts square yards to square feet. Volume needs the third dimension.
- Using 3. A linear yard is 3 feet, but a cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3.
- Treating gallons as weight. The gallon figure is space, not pounds of material.
- Forgetting settling. Loose mulch and soil drop in depth after rain and foot traffic.
Related calculators
For the reverse conversion, use the cubic feet to cubic yards calculator. To size an order from an area and depth, start with the cubic yard calculator. To turn yards into tons for a quarry quote, use the cubic yards to tons calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 ft long, 3 ft wide, and 3 ft tall, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. Half a yard is 13.5 cubic feet and a quarter yard is 6.75.
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic feet?
Multiply by 27. For 2.5 cubic yards: 2.5 × 27 = 67.5 cubic feet. To go the other way, divide cubic feet by 27.
How many bags is a cubic yard?
Divide 27 by the bag size in cubic feet. A cubic yard is 13.5 bags of 2 cu ft mulch, 18 bags of 1.5 cu ft soil, 36 bags of 0.75 cu ft topsoil, or 45 bags of 80-lb concrete at 0.6 cu ft each.
How many wheelbarrow loads is a cubic yard?
Divide 27 by what you actually carry per trip. A 6 cu ft contractor barrow filled level is 4.5 trips per yard, but most people carry 3 to 4 cu ft of heavy material, so plan on 7 to 9 trips. A small 3 cu ft garden barrow takes about 9 full trips.
Does one cubic yard of gravel weigh the same as one cubic yard of mulch?
No. Cubic yards measure space, not weight. This site uses about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard for gravel and 1.1 tons (2,200 lb) for topsoil, while bark mulch is far lighter. Convert to weight with the cubic yards to tons calculator.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.