How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A cubic yard is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet = 27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. For example, 135 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 5 cubic yards.

How many wheelbarrows per cubic yard?

A standard 3-cubic-foot wheelbarrow holds about 1/9 of a cubic yard, so you need approximately 9 wheelbarrow loads per cubic yard. A larger 6-cubic-foot wheelbarrow requires about 5 loads per yard. For a typical driveway project of 10 cubic yards, that's 90 trips with a standard wheelbarrow — which is why most people opt for delivery.

How many bags of concrete per cubic yard?

You need approximately 45 bags of 80-lb concrete mix or 60 bags of 60-lb mix to make one cubic yard of concrete. At roughly $5–$7 per 80-lb bag, that's $225–$315 per yard using bagged concrete. Ready-mix concrete delivered by truck costs $125–$175 per yard — significantly cheaper for anything over 1 yard. For projects requiring more than 2 cubic yards, always order ready-mix.

How much does a cubic yard weigh?

Weight per cubic yard varies by material: concrete weighs about 4,050 lbs (2.0 tons), gravel is 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons), sand is 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons), topsoil is 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons), mulch is 400–800 lbs (0.2–0.4 tons), and asphalt is 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons). Wet materials weigh 20–30% more than dry.

Cubic Yard Calculator — Volume, Weight & Material Estimates

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). It's the standard measurement for ordering bulk materials like concrete, gravel, sand, topsoil, and mulch. Getting the right quantity saves money and prevents project delays from short orders or wasted material.

Cubic Yard Formula

For rectangular areas (the most common):

Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27

All dimensions must be in feet. If depth is in inches, divide by 12 first. For example: a 20 ft × 10 ft patio with 4 inches of gravel = (20 × 10 × 0.333) ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards.

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Conversion

Cubic Feet	Cubic Yards	Cubic Feet	Cubic Yards
27	1.00	189	7.00
54	2.00	216	8.00
81	3.00	243	9.00
108	4.00	270	10.00
135	5.00	540	20.00
162	6.00	810	30.00

Material Weight per Cubic Yard

Material	Lbs/yd³	Tons/yd³	Typical Cost/yd³
Concrete (ready-mix)	4,050	2.03	$125–$175
Gravel (loose)	2,800	1.40	$20–$50
Crushed Stone	2,700	1.35	$30–$60
Sand	2,700	1.35	$25–$55
Topsoil	2,200	1.10	$20–$50
Fill Dirt	2,150	1.08	$8–$20
Mulch (wood)	400–800	0.20–0.40	$25–$45
Asphalt (hot mix)	2,700	1.35	$100–$200
Pea Gravel	2,600	1.30	$30–$55
River Rock	2,700	1.35	$40–$80

Common Project Calculations

Project	Typical Depth	10×10 ft	20×20 ft	50×50 ft
Concrete slab	4 inches	1.23 yd³	4.94 yd³	30.9 yd³
Gravel driveway	6 inches	1.85 yd³	7.41 yd³	46.3 yd³
Mulch bed	3 inches	0.93 yd³	3.70 yd³	23.1 yd³
Topsoil (lawn)	4 inches	1.23 yd³	4.94 yd³	30.9 yd³
Paver base	6 inches	1.85 yd³	7.41 yd³	46.3 yd³

Wheelbarrow Loads per Cubic Yard

Wheelbarrow Size	Capacity	Loads per Yard
2 cubic foot (small)	0.074 yd³	~14 loads
3 cubic foot (standard)	0.111 yd³	~9 loads
6 cubic foot (large contractor)	0.222 yd³	~5 loads

Concrete Bags per Cubic Yard

Bag Size	Bags per Yard	Bags per 0.5 yd³	Cost per Yard
40-lb bag	~86 bags	~43 bags	$345–$430
60-lb bag	~60 bags	~30 bags	$300–$360
80-lb bag	~45 bags	~23 bags	$225–$315

Pro tip: For anything over 1 cubic yard, order ready-mix concrete from a batch plant. It's cheaper ($125–$175/yd vs. $225–$315/yd for bags), stronger (consistent mix), and saves hours of manual mixing.

Ordering Tips

Always order 5–10% extra. Uneven ground, compaction, and waste mean you'll use more than calculated. Running short mid-project is worse than having a little extra.
Ask about minimum delivery. Most suppliers require a minimum order (often 2–3 yards) or charge a small-load fee for under-minimum orders.
Wet materials weigh more. Rain-soaked topsoil or wet sand can weigh 20–30% more, which matters for truck weight limits and structural calculations.
Compaction factor: Loose gravel and soil compact 10–15% when tamped. Add that to your order quantity.
Delivery access: Ensure a dump truck can reach your site. Standard trucks need 10 ft width and 14 ft overhead clearance.

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Cubic Yard Calculator — Volume & Weight Estimator

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