Cubic Yard Calculator
Use our free cubic yard calculator to instantly convert between cubic yards and five other common volume units: cubic feet, cubic inches, US gallons, liters, and cubic meters. Designed for contractors, estimators, and anyone working with bulk materials, this tool handles the math so you don't have to. It's useful any time a supplier quote, spec sheet, or delivery ticket lists a volume in a unit that doesn't match how your project is estimated.
How to use this calculator.
- Enter your value. Type the volume you want to convert in the input field.
- Select your starting unit. Choose from cubic feet (ft³), cubic inches (in³), US gallons, liters (L), or cubic meters (m³).
- Get your result in cubic yards. The calculator instantly displays the equivalent volume in cubic yards (yd³).
- Switch units. Use the imperial/metric toggle to see results in cubic meters if preferred.
How do you calculate cubic yards and volume conversions?
Volume conversion uses fixed conversion factors based on the international yard standard (1 yard = 0.9144 meters, defined in 1959).
Result (cu yd) = Value × Conversion Factor
| From Unit | Conversion Factor (× for cu yd) | Inverse (cu yd → unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | ÷ 27 | × 27 |
| Cubic Inches (in³) | ÷ 46,656 | × 46,656 |
| US Gallons | ÷ 201.974 | × 201.974 |
| Liters | ÷ 764.555 | × 764.555 |
| Cubic Meters (m³) | × 1.30795 | ÷ 1.30795 |
Key conversions: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 46,656 cubic inches ≈ 202 US gallons ≈ 765 liters ≈ 0.765 cubic meters.
Note that the cubic feet, cubic inches, and gallon/liter conversions are exact by definition, while the cubic meter factor (1.30795) is a derived constant based on the international yard standard.
Example calculations.
Example 1: Cubic feet to cubic yards
Scenario: You have 81 cubic feet of material. How many cubic yards is that?
81 ft³ ÷ 27 = 3.0 cubic yards
Example 2: Cubic meters to cubic yards
Scenario: An international supplier quotes 10 cubic meters of gravel. How many cubic yards is that?
10 m³ × 1.30795 = 13.08 cubic yards
Example 3: Gallons to cubic yards
Scenario: You have a 500-gallon water tank. What volume is that in cubic yards?
500 gal ÷ 201.974 = 2.48 cubic yards
Example 4: Liters to cubic yards
Scenario: A metric-labeled tanker delivers 3,000 liters of grout. How many cubic yards did you receive?
3,000 L ÷ 764.555 = 3.92 cubic yards
Tips from the field.
- The most expensive mistake in construction is confusing cubic feet with cubic yards. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet: not 3, not 9. Always double-check: if your number seems too small, you might be in cubic yards when you think you're in cubic feet.
- 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 cubic meters. For quick mental conversion, multiply cubic yards by 0.76 to get cubic meters, or multiply cubic meters by 1.3 to get cubic yards. Close enough for estimating.
- Dump truck capacities are in cubic yards. A standard tandem-axle dump truck holds 10-16 cubic yards. A tri-axle holds 16-22. Always confirm whether your trucker quotes in cubic yards or tons.
- Concrete is ordered in cubic yards. Ready-mix trucks carry 8-10 cubic yards. Always round your concrete order up to the nearest 0.5 yard.
- Liters and gallons show up on liquid asphalt and grout tickets. Emulsions, sealcoat, and grout are sometimes metered in liters or gallons rather than cubic yards. Convert to cubic yards before comparing against your material takeoff to avoid an apples-to-oranges estimate.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides exact mathematical conversions based on the international yard standard (1959). All conversion factors use the legally defined values: 1 yard = 0.9144 meter, 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches. PavementCalculator.com provides these conversions for reference only and assumes no liability for estimation or ordering errors.
Cost, price, and density figures on this page reflect approximate U.S. averages as of August 2026 and vary by region, supplier, and material availability.
Frequently asked questions.
How do I calculate cubic yards?
Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) then divide by 27 (since one cubic yard = 27 cubic feet). For example, a 10 ft × 10 ft × 0.5 ft area = 50 cu ft ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. If you have measurements in inches for depth, divide by 12 first to convert to feet.
How many cubic yards in a ton?
It depends on the material. One ton of gravel equals approximately 0.7-0.8 cubic yards. One ton of sand equals about 0.6-0.7 cubic yards. One ton of topsoil equals about 0.8-1.0 cubic yards. The conversion varies by material density: heavier materials have fewer cubic yards per ton.
How many cubic yards in a dump truck?
A standard full-size dump truck holds 10-16 cubic yards of material. A tri-axle dump truck carries 15-22 cubic yards. Small dump trucks hold 5-8 cubic yards. When ordering bulk materials, always confirm the truck capacity with your supplier.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27. For example, 500 sq ft at 3 inches deep: 500 × (3÷12) ÷ 27 = 500 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 4.63 cubic yards. This is the most common calculation for ordering mulch, gravel, soil, and concrete.
How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
A cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs about 2,000-2,500 lbs (1-1.25 tons). Moist topsoil weighs 2,500-3,000 lbs (1.25-1.5 tons). Clay soil weighs 2,800-3,300 lbs per cubic yard. Always account for moisture content when estimating weight for hauling.
How many bags of mulch equal a cubic yard?
One cubic yard of mulch equals 13.5 bags of the standard 2-cubic-foot bags, or 9 bags of the larger 3-cubic-foot bags. Bulk mulch by the cubic yard is typically much cheaper than bagged mulch: $25-$50 per yard in bulk vs $2-$5 per 2-cu-ft bag ($27-$67 per yard equivalent).
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³). This is the most important volume conversion in US construction: confusing cubic feet and cubic yards is a 27× error.
How many gallons are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals approximately 202 US gallons (201.974 exactly). A 55-gallon drum holds about 0.27 cubic yards. A standard 275-gallon heating oil tank holds about 1.36 cubic yards.