Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator
Enter any cubic feet value to instantly convert to cubic yards, cubic meters and cubic inches. 1 yd³ = 27 ft³.
The 27:1 Ratio
A cubic yard is a cube 1 yard on each side. Since 1 yard = 3 feet, a cubic yard contains 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. This makes conversion simple: divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Why Cubic Yards Matter
Bulk landscaping and construction materials — concrete, mulch, soil, gravel, fill dirt — are priced and delivered by the cubic yard. Suppliers won't quote in cubic feet because a yard is the convenient delivery unit (a small pickup truck holds about 2 yards; a tandem dump truck holds 10–15 yards). Knowing the conversion lets you measure in feet then order in yards.
Square Feet to Cubic Yards
For flat areas with a uniform depth — driveways, beds, slabs — multiply area by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
Common depth conversions: 1 in = 0.0833 ft, 2 in = 0.1667 ft, 3 in = 0.25 ft, 4 in = 0.333 ft, 6 in = 0.5 ft, 12 in = 1 ft.
Conversion Table
| Cubic Feet | Cubic Yards |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.037 |
| 5 | 0.185 |
| 10 | 0.37 |
| 20 | 0.741 |
| 27 | 1 |
| 40 | 1.481 |
| 54 | 2 |
| 81 | 3 |
| 100 | 3.704 |
| 135 | 5 |
| 200 | 7.407 |
| 270 | 10 |
| 500 | 18.519 |
Worked Examples
Concrete Slab
A 12 ft × 16 ft patio at 4 inches thick. Volume = 12 × 16 × 0.333 = 64 ft³. Cubic yards = 64 ÷ 27 = 2.37 yd³. Order 2.5 yd³ to allow for waste — see the concrete calculator for bag counts on smaller pours.
Mulch Order
A 30 ft × 12 ft bed at 3 inches deep. Volume = 30 × 12 × 0.25 = 90 ft³ = 3.33 yd³. That's about 45 bags of 2 ft³ mulch or one bulk delivery of 3.5 yd³ — the mulch calculator converts this automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?
Exactly 27 cubic feet equal one cubic yard. Divide ft³ by 27 to convert.
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
Multiply square feet by depth in feet, then divide by 27. Example: 200 sq ft × 0.5 ft depth = 100 ft³ ÷ 27 = 3.7 yd³.
Why is concrete sold in cubic yards?
Ready-mix concrete trucks are sized in cubic yards (typical drum holds 8–10 yd³). Suppliers and pricing all use yd³ for full loads.
How many cubic feet in half a yard?
Half a cubic yard equals 13.5 cubic feet.
Is a cubic yard the same as a yard?
No. A yard is a linear measure (3 feet). A cubic yard is a volume — a cube 1 yard on each side = 27 cubic feet.
How many 2 ft³ bags of mulch make a cubic yard?
13.5 bags of 2 ft³ mulch equal one cubic yard (27 ÷ 2 = 13.5).
How much does a cubic yard cover at 3 inches deep?
108 square feet. 27 ft³ ÷ 0.25 ft depth = 108 ft².
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic meters?
1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic meters. Multiply yd³ by 0.7646.