Cubic Feet From Yards Calculator

How to convert yards to cubic feet

One yard equals 3 feet. Cubed, that gives 27 — so 1 cubic yard always equals exactly 27 cubic feet. The cleanest path from yard dimensions to cubic feet is to compute cubic yards first (length × width × height in yards), then multiply by 27. A 2 yd × 1.5 yd × 0.5 yd bed is 1.5 yd³, which is 1.5 × 27 = 40.5 ft³.

Worked examples

Example 1: A 2-yard concrete delivery

2 yd³ × 27 = 54 ft³. That's enough to cover a 12 × 12 ft area at 4 inches thick (12 × 12 × 0.333 ≈ 48 ft³, with a little to spare).

Example 2: A 5 yd × 2 yd × 1 yd raised landscape bed

5 × 2 × 1 = 10 yd³. 10 × 27 = 270 ft³. That's about 135 of the standard 2 ft³ bagged soil products.

Example 3: A standard concrete-truck load (10 yards)

10 yd³ × 27 = 270 ft³. Suppliers typically deliver in 1-yard increments after the first full truck.

Cubic feet ↔ cubic yards quick reference

• 27 ft³ = 1 yd³
• 54 ft³ = 2 yd³
• 108 ft³ = 4 yd³
• 270 ft³ = 10 yd³
• 1 yd³ ≈ 200 gallons of water (200.97)

Common uses

• Concrete orders for slabs, footings, and walls
• Topsoil, mulch, and compost from bulk landscaping suppliers
• Gravel, sand, and aggregate deliveries
• Demolition debris and dumpster volume
• Mulch coverage for large areas (a yard covers ~108 ft² at 3" deep)

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing cubic yards with linear yards. A 3-yard length and a 3 cubic yard volume are different things. Match the unit on every measurement.
• Forgetting to multiply by 27. A cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet, not 3.
• Mixing yards with feet inside the multiplication. If one dimension is in yards and another in feet, convert both to the same unit first.

Expert tips

1. Multiply yards by 3 to get feet — for each dimension. If your dimensions are in yards, convert each one to feet (×3) and then multiply the three foot values. Or work in cubic yards and multiply the final answer by 27.
2. 27 cubic feet per cubic yard. Memorize this: 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. It is the most-used conversion in landscaping and concrete ordering.
3. Concrete and bulk landscaping deliver in cubic yards. Calculate your project in cubic feet, then divide by 27 for the supplier's order. See the cubic feet to cubic yardsconverter and the concrete calculator.
4. Round up to the next 1/4 yard. Suppliers usually deliver in 1/4-yard increments. If you need 2.65 yd³ of mulch, order 2.75.
5. Rule of thumb: 1 yd³ of mulch covers about 100 ft² at 3 inches deep. Useful for sanity-checking landscape orders. The mulch calculator does this directly.