Cubic Yard Calculator – Volume & Weight Converter

Convert measurements to cubic yards for accurate material ordering and volume calculations.

Results

Area

0ft²

Cubic Feet

0ft³

Cubic Yards

0yd³

Tonnage

0tons

Total Cost

Cost Per Sq Ft

$0/ft²

Material Ordering Checklist

☐ Measure all dimensions in feet (length, width, depth)
☐ Calculate volume: length × width × depth ÷ 12 (if depth in inches)
☐ Convert to cubic yards: divide cubic feet by 27
☐ Add 10-15% waste factor to final quantity
☐ Confirm unit of measure with supplier (cubic yards vs tons)
☐ Check supplier minimum order quantities
☐ Confirm delivery access (truck size, overhead clearance)
☐ Arrange for proper equipment to spread and compact material
☐ Have a plan for excess material storage or disposal

Tips for Accurate Cubic Yard Calculations

Measure twice: Always verify dimensions twice before ordering — material returns are costly or impossible.
Account for compaction: Order 10-15% more than calculated — materials compact during installation.
Know your units: Confirm whether your supplier quotes in cubic yards or tons — they are different measurements.
Use average depth: For areas with varying depth, measure at 5+ points and use the average.
Calculate each section separately: For L-shaped or irregular driveways, calculate each rectangle separately then add.

Common Material Weights Per Cubic Yard

Hot mix asphalt: ~3,915 lbs (1.96 tons) per cubic yard
Concrete: ~4,050 lbs (2.03 tons) per cubic yard
Crushed limestone: ~2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) per cubic yard
Crusher run gravel: ~2,500 lbs (1.25 tons) per cubic yard
Sand (dry): ~2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) per cubic yard
Topsoil: ~2,000 lbs (1.0 ton) per cubic yard
Mulch (wood chips): ~800 lbs (0.4 tons) per cubic yard

Cubic Yard Coverage by Material and Depth

Depth	1 Cubic Yard Covers	Common Use
1 inch	324 sq ft	Thin topdressing
2 inches	162 sq ft	Mulch, thin gravel
3 inches	108 sq ft	Asphalt surface layer
4 inches	81 sq ft	Concrete slab
6 inches	54 sq ft	Gravel base layer
12 inches	27 sq ft	Deep fill, foundation

Volume Conversion Calculator

Our cubic yard calculator converts between cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons for any paving or landscaping material. Whether you're ordering asphalt, gravel, concrete, or topsoil, knowing the correct volume-to-weight conversion prevents costly ordering mistakes.

Essential Conversion Factors

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft)
1 cubic yard = 46,656 cubic inches
1 cubic yard = 0.7646 cubic meters
1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches
1 US short ton = 2,000 pounds

Material Weight Per Cubic Yard

Asphalt (HMA): 3,915 lbs / 1.96 tons per cubic yard — density 145 lbs/ft³
Crushed Stone: 2,700 lbs / 1.35 tons per cubic yard — density 100 lbs/ft³
Gravel: 2,835 lbs / 1.42 tons per cubic yard — density 105 lbs/ft³
Concrete: 4,050 lbs / 2.03 tons per cubic yard — density 150 lbs/ft³
Sand: 2,700 lbs / 1.35 tons per cubic yard — density 100 lbs/ft³
Topsoil: 2,160 lbs / 1.08 tons per cubic yard — density 80 lbs/ft³
Mulch: 400-800 lbs / 0.2-0.4 tons per cubic yard — varies by moisture content

Common Conversion Examples

Example 1: Convert 150 cubic feet of asphalt to tons: 150 ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards × 1.96 = 10.9 tons

Example 2: Convert 8 cubic yards of gravel to tons: 8 × 1.42 = 11.36 tons

Example 3: How many cubic yards in a 20×30 ft area, 4 inches deep? 20 × 30 × 0.333 = 200 cu ft ÷ 27 = 7.41 cubic yards

Ordering Materials

Understanding how suppliers measure and sell different materials helps you order the right amount and avoid confusion:

How Materials Are Sold

Asphalt: Sold by the ton — always order in tons, never cubic yards. Suppliers need tonnage for batching at the plant.
Gravel: Sold by the cubic yard or ton — most suppliers accept either. Cubic yards are more common for pickup orders; tons for delivery.
Concrete: Sold by the cubic yard — ready-mix trucks deliver in cubic yards. Standard truck capacity is 8-10 cubic yards.
Sand: Sold by the cubic yard or ton — similar to gravel. Wet sand weighs significantly more than dry sand.
Topsoil/Mulch: Sold by the cubic yard — pickup loads or bulk delivery by dump truck.

Ordering Tips

Add 10-15% overage: Materials compact, spill, and get trimmed. Ordering short is far more expensive than ordering extra.
Check minimum orders: Most suppliers require 2-5 ton or 1-3 cubic yard minimums for delivery.
Delivery fees: Expect $75-200 per delivery based on distance. Consolidate orders to save.
Pickup option: You can pick up 1-2 cubic yards in a full-size pickup truck bed — but it's heavy (check your truck's payload rating).

Frequently Asked Questions About Cubic Yards

How to calculate cubic yards?

To calculate cubic yards, multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet). For example: 20 ft × 10 ft × 0.5 ft = 100 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 3.7 cubic yards.

How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³). To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. To convert cubic yards to cubic feet, multiply by 27.

How to convert cubic yards to tons?

To convert cubic yards to tons, multiply by the material's weight per cubic yard. Asphalt: multiply by 2.4, concrete: multiply by 2.0, gravel: multiply by 1.4, topsoil: multiply by 1.0, sand: multiply by 1.3. Different materials have different densities.

How many tons in a cubic yard?

Tons per cubic yard vary by material: asphalt = 2.4 tons, concrete = 2.0 tons, gravel = 1.4 tons, sand = 1.3 tons, topsoil = 1.0 ton, mulch = 0.4 tons. Always confirm with your supplier for exact weights.

How accurate is this calculator?

Our calculator uses industry-standard formulas and typical material densities to provide estimates accurate within 5-10%. For precise project planning, always consult with a licensed contractor who can assess your specific site conditions, local material costs, and project requirements. Add a 10-15% buffer to all material estimates to account for waste, spillage, and irregular surfaces.

What should I look for when hiring an asphalt contractor?

When hiring an asphalt contractor, verify they are licensed and insured in your state, check references and online reviews, get at least 3 written quotes, ask about the mix type and thickness they will use, confirm they will properly prepare the base, ask about warranty terms (typically 1-5 years), and never pay more than 30% upfront. Avoid contractors who only accept cash or pressure you to decide immediately.

How do weather conditions affect asphalt projects?

Weather significantly impacts asphalt installation quality. Ideal conditions are temperatures above 50°F with no rain forecast for 24 hours. Cold temperatures cause asphalt to cool too quickly, preventing proper compaction. Rain can wash away fresh asphalt and weaken the base. High humidity can affect adhesion. Most contractors will not work in rain or when temperatures are below 40°F. Always check the weather forecast before scheduling your project.

What permits are required for asphalt projects?

Permit requirements vary by location and project type. New driveway installations connecting to public roads typically require permits. Major repairs or resurfacing may also need permits. Commercial projects almost always require permits and inspections. Contact your local building department to determine requirements for your specific project. Unpermitted work can result in fines and complications when selling your property.

How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?

To convert square feet to cubic yards: multiply length (ft) × width (ft) to get square feet, then multiply by depth (ft) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Example: 100 ft × 20 ft × 0.25 ft (3 inches) = 500 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 18.5 cubic yards. Remember: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. Always add 10-15% for waste and compaction.

How many cubic yards are in a dump truck load?

A standard dump truck holds 10-14 cubic yards of material. A tandem axle dump truck holds 14-16 cubic yards. A tri-axle truck holds up to 18 cubic yards. Mini dump trucks hold 1-5 cubic yards. For asphalt, a truck holds approximately 20-25 tons (asphalt is denser than loose aggregate). Always confirm truck capacity with your supplier when ordering. Most suppliers charge by the ton for asphalt and by the cubic yard for aggregate.

What is the difference between cubic yards and tons?

Cubic yards measure volume while tons measure weight. To convert between them, you need the material density. Asphalt: 1 cubic yard ≈ 2 tons. Concrete: 1 cubic yard ≈ 2 tons. Gravel/crushed stone: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.4 tons. Topsoil: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1 ton. Sand: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.35 tons. Suppliers may quote in either unit — make sure you are comparing apples to apples when getting quotes.

How many cubic yards do I need for a 10x10 area?

For a 10x10 area (100 sq ft): at 2 inches deep = 100 × 0.167 ft = 16.7 cubic feet ÷ 27 = 0.62 cubic yards. At 3 inches = 0.93 cubic yards. At 4 inches = 1.23 cubic yards. At 6 inches = 1.85 cubic yards. At 12 inches (1 foot) = 3.7 cubic yards. Use our calculator above to compute any dimensions. Remember to add 10-15% for waste and compaction when ordering materials.