The formula
Cubic feet = length × width × depth (all in feet) Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 Depth in feet = depth in inches ÷ 12
Example: a 10 × 12 ft garden bed filled 3 inches deep is 10 × 12 × 0.25 = 30 cubic feet, or 1.11 cubic yards.
How far one cubic yard goes
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft |
Before you order
- Suppliers often deliver in half or whole yards, so round up.
- Loose fill settles once it is raked and watered; order a little more for fill dirt and topsoil.
- Need the weight? The gravel calculator and the topsoil calculator turn yards into tons.
Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27. A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on each side: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
How much area does a cubic yard cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, 162 square feet at 2 inches and 81 square feet at 4 inches.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply by the weight of one cubic yard of the material. Gravel is about 1.4 tons per yard and topsoil about 1.1.