cubic yards to cubic feet calculator
Convert cubic yards to cubic feet and gallons instantly. Enter a delivered material amount in cubic yards to break it into cubic feet for layout.
A delivery ticket or order quote in cubic yards doesn’t always translate directly to the feet-based measurements you’re working with on site. This calculator converts cubic yards into cubic feet and gallons.
How this calculator works
Since a cubic yard is a 3 ft cube, each cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
Formula: Cubic feet = cubic yards × 27. Gallons = cubic yards × 201.97.
Worked example
10 cubic yards of material:
- Cubic feet: 10 × 27 = 270.0 ft³
- Gallons: 10 × 201.97 ≈ 2,019.7 gal
Reference
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet |
|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | 27.0 ft³ |
| 5 yd³ | 135.0 ft³ |
| 10 yd³ | 270.0 ft³ |
| 20 yd³ | 540.0 ft³ |
Where this conversion is used
Once a cubic-yard delivery arrives, spreading it evenly across a bed or footing means working in feet — length times width times depth needs to add up to that cubic-foot total. For material-specific coverage and cost, see the Cubic Yard Calculator; for the reverse conversion, use the Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27 cubic feet. A cubic yard is a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cube, and multiplying those three dimensions gives 27 cubic feet in every cubic yard.
Why convert a delivered cubic-yard amount into cubic feet?
Once a load of gravel, mulch, or soil is on site, you're usually spreading it over an area or filling a space measured in feet — knowing the cubic feet lets you check coverage or split the load between multiple spots.
How many wheelbarrow loads is a cubic yard?
A standard 2-cubic-foot wheelbarrow, filled level, needs about 13-14 loads to move a full cubic yard (27 ÷ 2 ≈ 13.5), though most people underfill each load slightly.
What's the gallon figure for?
It's the same volume expressed as liquid capacity, useful when the cubic yardage represents a tank, pond, or excavation being compared to a fluid amount.
Does one cubic yard of gravel weigh the same as one cubic yard of mulch?
No — cubic yards measure volume, not weight. Gravel weighs roughly 2,600-2,900 lbs per cubic yard while mulch is closer to 400-800 lbs, since density varies enormously by material.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.