Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Converter

The Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Converter turns a volume in cubic feet (ft³) into cubic yards (yd³) — the unit bulk materials like mulch, topsoil, gravel, sand, and concrete are actually sold and delivered in. It uses the exact relationship 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, shows the conversion on an animated 27-cube diagram, and goes one step further than a plain converter by helping you size a real order: add a waste allowance, round up to the nearest scoop, and estimate the delivery weight in tons.

How Many Cubic Feet Are in a Cubic Yard?

There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. The reason is simple: a yard equals 3 feet, so a cube that is one yard on each side measures 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. Multiplying the sides gives 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. That is why the 27-cube diagram above stacks three layers of nine little cubic-foot boxes into one big cubic yard.

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Formula

To convert, divide the number of cubic feet by 27. For example, a garden bed that works out to 150 ft³ of mulch is 150 ÷ 27 ≈ 5.56 yd³. Going the other way, a 4 yd³ concrete pour is 4 × 27 = 108 ft³.

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Conversion Chart

Why Bulk Materials Are Ordered by the Cubic Yard

Landscape and construction suppliers price loose material by the cubic yard because it matches how the material is scooped, loaded, and hauled. One cubic yard roughly fills a small pickup bed, and a standard dump truck carries around 10 to 14 yards. If you have measured a project in cubic feet — a common result when you multiply length × width × depth in feet — you must divide by 27 before you can place an order, otherwise you could over-order by a factor of nearly 27.

How Much Does a Cubic Yard Weigh?

Weight matters because delivery trucks and trailers have load limits. These are typical bulk densities per cubic yard used by this calculator; real values shift with moisture and compaction:

How to Use This Calculator

1. Choose the direction: Keep "Cubic feet → Cubic yards", or switch to "Cubic yards → Cubic feet" for the reverse.
2. Enter the amount: Type the volume you want to convert into the Amount field.
3. Add ordering options (optional): Pick a material for a weight estimate, add a waste percentage, and choose a rounding increment so the result reflects a real, buyable order.
4. Click Convert: Read your result, the animated 27-cube diagram, the amount to order, and the delivery weight and haul-load estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A yard is 3 feet, so a cubic yard measures 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, which is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.

How do you convert cubic feet to cubic yards?

Divide the number of cubic feet by 27. For example, 150 cubic feet ÷ 27 ≈ 5.56 cubic yards. To go the other way, multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet.

Why do material suppliers sell by the cubic yard?

Bulk landscape and construction materials such as mulch, topsoil, gravel, sand, and concrete are delivered by the cubic yard because it is a convenient truck-scale volume. One cubic yard fills roughly a small pickup bed, so ordering and pricing by the yard matches how the material is hauled.

How much does a cubic yard of material weigh?

It depends on the material. As a rough guide per cubic yard: wood mulch about 700 lb, compost about 1,100 lb, topsoil about 2,100 lb, sand about 2,700 lb, gravel about 2,800 lb, and wet concrete about 4,050 lb. Moisture and compaction change the real weight.

Should I add extra when ordering material?

Yes. Most projects add a 5 to 10 percent waste allowance for spillage, compaction, and uneven ground, then round up to the nearest half or whole yard because suppliers deliver in scoops. Ordering slightly over avoids a second delivery fee.

How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard?

A standard contractor wheelbarrow holds about 3 cubic feet heaped, so one cubic yard — 27 cubic feet — takes roughly 9 wheelbarrow loads to move by hand.

Additional Resources

• Cubic Yard - Wikipedia
• Cubic Foot - Wikipedia