There are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. A cubic yard is a cube that measures 3 feet long × 3 feet wide × 3 feet high, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. To convert cubic yards to cubic feet, multiply by 27. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27.
Why Is It 27, Not 3?
This trips a lot of people up. A linear yard is 3 feet, but a cubic yard measures volume in three directions—length, width, and height. Each direction is 3 feet, so you multiply three times: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. So, no, 1 cubic yard is not the same as 3 cubic feet.
Cubic Yards to Cubic Feet Conversion Table
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | 6.75 |
| 0.5 | 13.5 |
| 1 | 27 |
| 2 | 54 |
| 3 | 81 |
| 5 | 135 |
| 10 | 270 |
How to Calculate Cubic Yards for a Project
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Convert depth to feet by dividing inches by 12 (for example, 3 inches = 0.25 feet).
- Multiply length × width × depth to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
Example: a garden bed 10 ft × 4 ft, filled 6 inches deep: 10 × 4 × 0.5 = 20 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 0.74 cubic yards.
Want it done for you? Use our free cubic yard calculator.
How Many Bags Make a Cubic Yard?
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic foot | 27 |
| 1.5 cubic feet | 18 |
| 2 cubic feet (common mulch bag) | 13.5 (buy 14) |
| 3 cubic feet | 9 |
Bags sold by weight vary by material and moisture, so check the cubic-foot volume printed on the bag. As a rough guide, a 40 lb bag of topsoil is often about 0.75 cubic feet, so you’d need around 36 bags for one cubic yard.
How Much Area Does a Cubic Yard Cover?
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft |
| 3 inches (typical mulch) | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches (typical concrete slab) | 81 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft |
Bags vs Bulk Delivery
Pros
- Bags are easy to carry and store
- No delivery fee for small jobs
- Good for under about 1 cubic yard
Cons
- Bulk is usually much cheaper per yard
- Lots of plastic waste
- Hauling 14+ bags per yard takes time
