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How to Calculate Cubic Yards
Cubic yards are the standard unit for ordering bulk construction and landscaping materials in North America. When you call a concrete supplier, a gravel yard, or a mulch delivery service, they quote and sell by the cubic yard. Getting the number right before you order prevents two equally frustrating outcomes: running short mid-project or paying to haul away leftover material.
Cubic Yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27
All dimensions must be in feet before dividing. Divide by 27 because 1 cubic yard = 3' × 3' × 3' = 27 cubic feet.
The single most common mistake is entering depth in inches without converting. A 4-inch slab is 0.333 feet deep — not 4 feet. Always convert depth to feet first. Our calculator handles this conversion automatically, no matter which unit you select.
Step-by-Step Calculation Example — Concrete Driveway
You're pouring a concrete driveway that's 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 inches thick. Here's the calculation: convert depth to feet (4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft), multiply the three dimensions (20 × 10 × 0.333 = 66.7 cubic feet), divide by 27 (66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards). Add 10% for waste and you order 2.75 cubic yards — round up to 3 yards for a comfortable margin.
Cubic Yards Quick Reference — Common Depths
The table below shows how many cubic yards you need per 100 square feet at common depths. Multiply by your area in hundreds of square feet to scale:
| Depth | Per 100 SF | Per 500 SF | Per 1,000 SF | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 0.31 yd³ | 1.54 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ | Top-dressing lawn |
| 2 inches | 0.62 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | Mulch refresh |
| 3 inches | 0.93 yd³ | 4.63 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | Mulch, base gravel |
| 4 inches | 1.23 yd³ | 6.17 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | Concrete slabs, deep mulch |
| 6 inches | 1.85 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | Driveways, deep gravel |
| 8 inches | 2.47 yd³ | 12.35 yd³ | 24.69 yd³ | Structural concrete |
| 12 inches | 3.70 yd³ | 18.52 yd³ | 37.04 yd³ | Deep fill, foundations |
Material Weights and Coverage
Knowing the weight per cubic yard helps you plan delivery logistics — most dump trucks hold 10–14 cubic yards but are weight-limited, which can reduce actual load size for heavy materials like concrete and wet sand.
| Material | Weight / yd³ | Tons / yd³ | Typical Price / yd³ | Compaction Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | ~4,000 lbs | 2.0 | $100–$150 | No compaction |
| Gravel / Crushed Stone | ~2,700 lbs | 1.35 | $15–$75 | Compacts 20–30%; order 25% extra |
| Sand | ~2,600 lbs | 1.3 | $15–$40 | Compacts 15–25%; order 20% extra |
| Topsoil | ~2,200 lbs | 1.1 | $20–$40 | Settles 10–15% |
| Mulch / Wood Chips | ~700 lbs | 0.35 | $25–$50 | Settles 10–20% |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | ~4,050 lbs | 2.03 | $90–$150 | Professional install required |
| Fill Dirt | ~2,000 lbs | 1.0 | $8–$15 | Settles and compacts significantly |
When to Use Each Shape
Most projects are rectangular — length × width × depth covers driveways, patios, raised beds, and foundations. But some situations call for other shapes. Use Cylinder for round ponds, tree wells, circular patios, or footing holes. Use Hollow Tube for cylindrical concrete walls or round planters. Use Trapezoid for drainage ditches and berms with sloped sides. Use Triangle Prism for wedge-shaped ramps and embankment fills. Use Cone to estimate a material pile — useful when checking how much sand or gravel has been delivered.
For irregular spaces, the simplest approach is to divide the area into simple shapes, calculate each separately, then add the results together. A kidney-shaped pond, for instance, can be approximated as a rectangle plus a semicircle, calculated as a cylinder half.
Waste and Compaction — How Much Extra to Order
Never order exactly what you calculated. Waste allowances depend on the material and application:
- Concrete slabs: Add 5–10% for spillage, uneven subgrade, and edges
- Gravel driveways: Add 25–30% — gravel compacts significantly after spreading and traffic
- Sand base layers: Add 20% for compaction losses
- Topsoil (new lawn): Add 15–20% for settling over the first growing season
- Mulch: Add 15% for settling and decomposition in the first year
- Fill dirt: Add 25–35% — loose fill compacts dramatically under its own weight
How Many Cubic Yards in a Ton?
Material suppliers sometimes quote by the ton rather than the cubic yard. To convert, divide the total weight by 2,000 (pounds per ton). For concrete: 1 cubic yard = 4,000 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 2 tons. For gravel: 1 cubic yard = 2,700 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 1.35 tons. Conversely, if a supplier quotes gravel at a certain price per ton and you know you need 5 cubic yards, you need 5 × 1.35 = 6.75 tons.
Truck Load Capacities
Understanding delivery vehicle capacities helps you minimize trips and delivery fees. A standard pickup truck can carry 1–2 cubic yards of heavy material (like gravel) before reaching its payload limit. A single-axle dump truck holds 8–10 cubic yards, a tandem-axle dump truck 12–15 cubic yards, and a full-size ready-mix concrete truck typically delivers 8–10 cubic yards per load. For smaller projects, many suppliers offer mini-load services or allow customer pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards does a standard pickup truck hold?
Most full-size pickup trucks (½-ton) can safely carry about 1 cubic yard of gravel or stone (roughly 2,700 lbs) before exceeding the payload rating. A ¾-ton or 1-ton pickup can carry up to 2 cubic yards of gravel. Mulch is much lighter — a ½-ton truck can haul 2–3 cubic yards without issue.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
You need a depth measurement to convert from square feet to cubic yards. Multiply your square footage by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. For example, 200 sq ft at 3 inches deep: 200 × 0.25 ft ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards.
Does concrete shrink after pouring?
Concrete doesn't compress or shrink significantly after it's poured. Unlike gravel or topsoil, what you pour is essentially what you get. However, you should still order 5–10% extra to account for spillage, waste during placement, and any uneven spots in the subgrade that consume more material than planned.
Material prices shown are approximate ranges and vary significantly by region, supplier, quantity, and market conditions. Weights are typical averages — actual weights depend on moisture content and material gradation. Always obtain current supplier quotes before ordering.
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