How to work it out
- Multiply length by width to get the area in square feet.
- Divide the depth in inches by 12 to turn it into feet.
- Multiply the area by that depth to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 27, because a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
What one cubic yard covers
| Depth | Area covered |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
A worked example
A bed 20 ft long and 10 ft wide has an area of 200 sq ft. At 3 inches deep, that is 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cubic feet, and 50 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards.
Common questions
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
It depends on the depth: 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Divide 324 by your depth in inches.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide cubic feet by 27. To go the other way, multiply cubic yards by 27.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the material's weight per yard. Gravel is often around 1.35 tons per cubic yard, but weight changes with the type and moisture, so ask your supplier for their figure and type it into the calculator.
How much is a cubic yard in a pickup truck?
It varies with the truck and material. Ask your supplier, and check your truck's payload before loading, because a yard of gravel can weigh more than many pickups are rated to carry.
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