Square Feet to Cubic Yards Calculator

How to convert square feet to cubic yards

To convert area in square feet into cubic yards, multiply by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 (since 1 yd³ = 27 ft³). The compact formula is yd³ = ft² × depth ÷ 27.

Worked examples

Common uses

• Concrete slabs, footings, and patios
• Mulch coverage by yard from a delivery truck
• Topsoil for lawns, gardens, and raised beds
• Gravel driveways and walkways

Where this conversion comes up

Suppliers price landscape materials in cubic yards, but you typically have an area in square feet and a desired depth. This converter combines both steps.

• Mulch beds — most common use, especially at 2 or 3 inches deep.
• Topsoil and garden soil — typically 4 to 12 inches deep depending on the planting.
• Gravel driveways and walkways — usually 3 to 6 inches deep.
• Concrete slabs — 4-inch slabs convert directly from area.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting to convert depth to feet first. If your area is in square feet and your depth is in inches, divide depth by 12 before multiplying.
• Skipping the divide-by-27. After multiplying area × depth in feet, you have cubic feet — divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
• Confusing topsoil depth with mulch depth. Mulch is usually 2–3 inches; topsoil is often 4–6 inches; raised-bed soil is 8–12 inches. Use the right depth for your project.

Expert tips

1. Two-step conversion: ft² × depth ÷ 27 = yd³. Multiply area by depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
2. Quick rule for mulch: 100 ft² at 3 inches ≈ 1 yd³. Useful for sanity-checking landscape orders. The mulch calculator applies this directly.
3. For concrete slabs, 100 ft² at 4 inches = 1.23 yd³. Round up to 1.5 yd³ to allow for waste. See the concrete calculator.
4. For a raised garden bed, factor depth carefully. An 8-inch deep bed needs about 2.5× the soil of a 3-inch mulch layer of the same area. The raised bed calculator handles depth automatically.