How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

Exactly 27 — a cubic yard is a 3 × 3 × 3-foot cube, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.

Why do suppliers sell by the cubic yard?

It's the standard bulk unit for soil, gravel, and ready-mix concrete — delivery trucks and pricing are both set up around the cubic yard.

Should I order a little extra?

Usually yes — add about 5–10% for uneven ground, settling, and compaction, and round up to the nearest unit your supplier sells (often a whole or half yard).

Cubic Yard Calculator

Bulk materials — concrete, soil, gravel, mulch — are ordered by the cubic yard. Enter the area and how deep you're filling, and this gives the cubic yards (and cubic feet).

Cubic yards

1.48cu yd

Cubic feet: 40 cu ft

How these numbers are worked out

The formula

Cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 27, with depth converted to feet (inches ÷ 12). One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet — a cube 3 feet on a side.

Constants and sources

Cubic yards = area × depth ÷ 27; 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3 ft), exact.

How it was checked

Last reviewed June 16, 2026. Before this calculator was published, its formula, constants and worked example were checked in a separate, AI-assisted review that redid the arithmetic and tested the factual claims; the site owner then approved it for publishing. No engineer or tradesperson reviews these pages. Where a figure depends on the product (a density, a coverage rate, a bag size), it is either an input you can change above or a fixed planning value stated on this page, so check it against your product's label or your supplier.

Spot a wrong number or an outdated figure? Send a correction.

Worked example

A 10 ft × 12 ft area, 4 inches deep: 120 sq ft × (4 ÷ 12) = 40 cubic feet ÷ 27 ≈ 1.48 cubic yards.

FAQs

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?: Exactly 27 — a cubic yard is a 3 × 3 × 3-foot cube, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
Why do suppliers sell by the cubic yard?: It's the standard bulk unit for soil, gravel, and ready-mix concrete — delivery trucks and pricing are both set up around the cubic yard.
Should I order a little extra?: Usually yes — add about 5–10% for uneven ground, settling, and compaction, and round up to the nearest unit your supplier sells (often a whole or half yard).