How Many Cubic Feet in a Cubic Yard?
By Emiliano · Last updated 2026-11-13
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. No rounding, no adjustment, no variation by material. A cubic yard is a 3×3×3-foot cube, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. The number 27 is the single most useful conversion factor in construction estimating, because almost every bulk material — concrete, gravel, mulch, soil, sand — is priced and delivered by the cubic yard, while every calculator shows cubic feet.
The quick answer: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. To convert cubic yards to cubic feet, multiply by 27.
Cubic Feet ↔ Cubic Yards Converter
Why 27? (The Math)
A cubic yard is a cube that is one yard long on every side. Since one yard equals three feet, that cube is also 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet. Volume of a rectangular cube = length × width × height:
1 cubic yard = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet
That's it. The 27 never changes — not by material, not by moisture content, not by anything. The only variable in practice is whether you're converting the right direction (multiply vs divide) and whether the volume has already been computed correctly from dimensions.
Conversion Table: Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
The most common conversions you'll need for material ordering:
| Cubic Feet | Cubic Yards | Cubic Meters | Common Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft | 0.037 | 0.028 | Small bucket of concrete |
| 10 cu ft | 0.370 | 0.283 | One bag of soil, half a wheelbarrow |
| 27 cu ft | 1.000 | 0.765 | Standard wheelbarrow × 4 |
| 54 cu ft | 2.000 | 1.529 | Small patio slab (9×12 ft at 6 in) |
| 81 cu ft | 3.000 | 2.294 | Small concrete pad |
| 135 cu ft | 5.000 | 3.823 | Small driveway section |
| 270 cu ft | 10.000 | 7.646 | Full concrete truck load |
| 405 cu ft | 15.000 | 11.470 | Gravel driveway (20×40 ft at 6 in) |
| 540 cu ft | 20.000 | 15.292 | Large landscaping project |
Conversion Table: Cubic Yards to Cubic Feet
The reverse direction — useful when a supplier quotes cubic yards but you need to compare against bag yields:
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet | Real-World Context |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 cu yd | 13.5 cu ft | About 18 bags of 80 lb concrete |
| 1 cu yd | 27 cu ft | 45 bags of 80 lb concrete |
| 2 cu yd | 54 cu ft | Small patio |
| 3 cu yd | 81 cu ft | Concrete pad or small driveway |
| 5 cu yd | 135 cu ft | Standard driveway section |
| 10 cu yd | 270 cu ft | Full concrete truck |
| 20 cu yd | 540 cu ft | Large commercial pour |
Cubic Yards vs Cubic Meters
If you're working with metric measurements (Australia, UK, EU, or Canadian construction), the conversion is:
1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic meters
1 cubic meter = 1.3079 cubic yards
1 cubic meter = 35.315 cubic feet
Cubic meters are the standard metric unit for bulk material in most countries outside the US. If you see "m³" on a quote or a material bag, that's cubic meters. To compare against a US-based calculator result in cubic yards, multiply by 1.3079.
Convert square feet to cubic yards
Common Material Examples
What one cubic yard looks like in real construction materials:
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete (ready-mix) | ~4,050 lb (2.02 tons) | 81 sq ft at 4 in thick |
| Gravel / crushed stone | ~2,800 lb (1.4 tons) | 100–150 sq ft at 3–4 in thick |
| Topsoil | ~2,200 lb (1.1 tons) | 162 sq ft at 2 in thick |
| Mulch | ~800 lb (0.4 tons) | 108 sq ft at 3 in thick |
| Sand | ~2,700 lb (1.35 tons) | 162 sq ft at 2 in thick |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | ~3,900 lb (1.95 tons) | 81 sq ft at 4 in thick |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A cubic yard is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall. Volume = length × width × height = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. This is a fixed conversion that never changes; no rounding or adjustment is needed.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide cubic feet by 27. Formula: cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. For example, 81 cubic feet equals 3 cubic yards. 100 cubic feet equals 3.70 cubic yards. Round up to the next whole cubic yard when ordering bulk materials like concrete, gravel, or mulch.
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic feet?
Multiply cubic yards by 27. Formula: cubic feet = cubic yards × 27. For example, 2 cubic yards equals 54 cubic feet. 10 cubic yards equals 270 cubic feet. This is useful when a supplier quotes cubic yards but you need to compare against a bag yield listed in cubic feet.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic meter?
There are 35.315 cubic feet in one cubic meter. A cubic meter is 1 meter × 1 meter × 1 meter, and 1 meter equals 3.28084 feet. So 3.28084 cubed = 35.315 cubic feet. One cubic yard equals 0.7646 cubic meters, or 27 cubic feet equals 0.7646 cubic meters.
Related Calculators
- Square Feet to Cubic Yards — convert area and depth to cubic yards for any material
- How Much Does a Yard of Concrete Weigh? — weight per yard, slab, and PSI
- How Many Bags of Concrete? — bag count reference by slab and post hole
- Concrete Slab Cost Calculator — volume and dollar cost for any slab
- Gravel Calculator — cubic yards and tons by area and depth
- Mulch Calculator — cubic yards, cubic feet, and bag counts by bed area