Cubic yards to other units
| Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Cubic inches | Cubic meters | Liters | US gallons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | 46,656 | 0.765 | 765 | 202 |
| 2 | 54 | 93,312 | 1.529 | 1,529 | 404 |
| 3 | 81 | 139,968 | 2.294 | 2,294 | 606 |
| 4 | 108 | 186,624 | 3.058 | 3,058 | 808 |
| 5 | 135 | 233,280 | 3.823 | 3,823 | 1,010 |
| 10 | 270 | 466,560 | 7.646 | 7,646 | 2,020 |
| 20 | 540 | 933,120 | 15.291 | 15,291 | 4,039 |
The formulas
Cubic feet = cubic yards × 27
Cubic meters = cubic yards × 0.764555
US gallons = cubic feet × 7.4805
The factor 27 comes from 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. One yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters, so a cubic yard is 0.9144³ = 0.764555 cubic meters. The US gallon is 231 cubic inches, which gives 7.4805 gallons per cubic foot.
Going the other way
| To get cubic yards from | Divide by |
|---|---|
| Cubic feet | 27 |
| Cubic inches | 46,656 |
| Cubic meters | 0.764555 (or multiply by 1.30795) |
| US gallons | 201.97 |
| Liters | 764.555 |
A 5 cubic foot wheelbarrow load is 0.185 cubic yards, so it takes 5.4 loads to move a yard. To turn an area and depth into yards, use the square feet to cubic yards calculator or the cubic yard calculator. For weight, see the tons to cubic yards calculator.
How far one cubic yard spreads
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Spread over ground, it covers less area the deeper you lay it.
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cubic yard | Area for 5 cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 810 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 405 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
| 8 in | 40 sq ft | 202 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 135 sq ft |
Reading the chart without mixing units
- Feet and inches: convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 before you multiply, or you will be off by a factor of 12.
- Gallons: a cubic yard holds about 202 US gallons, which helps when a liquid or slurry is involved.
- Metric: a cubic yard is 0.7646 cubic meters, or about 765 liters. A cubic meter is 1.308 cubic yards.
- Weight is separate: the chart converts volume only. For tons, see the tons to cubic yards calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
27, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
How many cubic meters are in a cubic yard?
0.7646 cubic meters. One cubic meter is 1.308 cubic yards.
How many gallons are in a cubic yard?
About 202 US gallons, since a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet and a cubic foot is 7.48 gallons.