How to calculate cubic yards
A cubic yard is a cube 3 ft on each side, which holds 27 cubic feet. To find cubic yards, calculate cubic feet and divide by 27.
With depth in inches: Length × Width × Depth (in) ÷ 324
Worked example
A bed 20 ft long, 10 ft wide and 4 in deep: 20 × 10 × 4 ÷ 324 = 2.47 cubic yards.
For circles
Area of a circle = 3.1416 × radius². For a round bed 10 ft across, the radius is 5 ft, so the area is 78.5 sq ft. At 3 in deep that is 78.5 × 3 ÷ 324 = 0.73 cubic yards.
Cubic yard coverage chart
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft |
How much fits in a truck?
A full-size pickup bed holds about 2 cubic yards of light material like mulch when level. For heavy materials such as gravel, topsoil or sand, weight is the limit: a half-ton pickup can usually carry about half a yard and a three-quarter-ton about 1 yard. A standard dump truck carries roughly 10–14 yards. Always check your vehicle's payload rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard measures 3 × 3 × 3 ft.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. For 500 sq ft at 3 in: 500 × 3 ÷ 324 = 4.63 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards are in a ton?
It depends on the material. A ton of gravel is about 0.75 yards, a ton of topsoil about 1 yard, and a ton of mulch about 2–4 yards.
How do I measure an irregular area?
Split it into rectangles, triangles and circles, work out each area, then add them together and use the “I know the square feet” option.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14. Material weights are typical industry averages and vary by supplier, moisture and compaction.