These guides explain how to measure, calculate, and order materials by the cubic yard. Each ends with answers to common questions and links to the right calculator.
All guides
How to Calculate Cubic YardsCalculating cubic yards takes three measurements and one division.What Is a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard is a unit of volume, equal to a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall.How Many Cubic Feet Are in a Cubic Yard?There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.Cubic Yard vs Yard: What Is the Difference?A yard measures length, and a cubic yard measures volume.How Big Is a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on every side, roughly the size of a standard washing machine standing on its end and a bit wider.How Much Does a Cubic Yard Weigh?A cubic yard weighs anywhere from about 500 pounds for wood chips to more than 4,000 pounds for concrete.Dump Truck Capacity in Cubic YardsDump trucks come in many sizes, and the capacity you can legally carry depends on both the bed volume and the weight limit.How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard of mulch equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic feet each, or 9 bags of 3 cubic feet each.How Much Mulch Do I Need?Most beds need a layer of mulch 2 to 3 inches deep.How Much Gravel Do I Need for a Driveway?A gravel driveway is usually 4 to 8 inches thick, built in layers.How Much Concrete Do I Need?Multiply length, width, and thickness in feet, divide by 27, and add 5 to 10 percent.How Much Topsoil Do I Need for a Lawn?A new lawn commonly needs 4 to 6 inches of topsoil.How Much Sand Do I Need for Pavers?Paver bedding sand is about 1 inch thick, so a 12 by 12 foot patio needs only about 0.45 cubic yards of sand, plus the stone base below.How to Measure an Irregular AreaBreak an odd shape into simple pieces, find each area, and add them up.Waste Factor: How Much Extra Should You Order?Order 5 to 10 percent more than the exact calculation for most materials, and 10 to 20 percent more for compacting base stone and loose fill.Bulk vs Bagged MaterialsBags are easy for small jobs.How to Order Ready Mix ConcreteKnow your volume, thickness, strength, and access, and call the plant a few days ahead.Bank vs Loose Cubic YardsSoil in the ground (bank volume) takes up less space than the same soil in a truck (loose volume), and compacted soil takes up less again.How Deep Should Mulch Be?Two to 3 inches of mulch is right for most beds.Cubic Yard GlossaryPlain language definitions for terms you will see on delivery tickets, calculators, and quotes.How Many Cubic Feet Are in a Yard of Mulch?A yard of mulch is 27 cubic feet.How Many Tons Are in a Cubic Yard?The answer depends on the material.How Many Tons Are in a Cubic Yard of Gravel?A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 US tons, or 2,800 pounds, as a planning value.How Many Tons in a Cubic Yard of Soil, Sand, and Rock?A cubic yard of topsoil is about 1.1 tons, sand is about 1.35 tons, and crushed rock is about 1.35 tons.How Many Cubic Yards Are in a Ton of Gravel?One ton of gravel fills about 0.71 cubic yards.How Many Cubic Yards Are in a Dump Truck?Most dump trucks carry between 5 and 20 cubic yards by volume.How Many Yards of Dirt Fit in a Dump Truck?A tandem dump truck usually carries about 10 to 12 cubic yards of dirt, and weight is often the limit, not the size of the bed.How Many Bags of Concrete Are in a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard of concrete takes about 45 bags of 80 pound mix, about 60 bags of 60 pound mix, or about 90 bags of 40 pound mix.How Many Cubic Yards Are in a Bag of Concrete?An 80 pound bag of concrete makes about 0.022 cubic yards, or 0.6 cubic feet.How Many Cubic Yards of Concrete Are in a Truck?A standard ready mix truck carries up to about 10 cubic yards of concrete, though many plants load 8 to 9 yards to stay within legal weight.How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Concrete Cost?The price of ready mix concrete depends on your area, the strength you order, the size of the order, and delivery fees.How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Cost?Gravel prices depend on the type of stone, your region, and the distance from the quarry, and many sellers quote by the ton instead of by the yard.How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Topsoil Weigh?A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 2,200 pounds, or 1.1 tons, as a planning value.How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Mulch Weigh?A cubic yard of mulch weighs about 700 pounds, or 0.35 tons, as a planning value, but fresh wet mulch can weigh 1,000 pounds or more.How Many Wheelbarrows Are in a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 9 loads in a 3 cubic foot wheelbarrow, about 7 loads in a 4 cubic foot barrow, or 4.5 loads in a 6 cubic foot contractor barrow.How to Calculate Cubic Yards from Square FeetTo turn square feet into cubic yards you need one more number: the depth.Cubic Yard Calculator App for Your PhoneYou do not need to download anything.Cubic Yard Calculator for SoilSoil is sold by the cubic yard, but the right type changes the weight and the price.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start?
Start with How to Calculate Cubic Yards.
Do the guides include examples?
Yes. Most include worked numbers.