How the cubic Yard Calculator works
Suppliers sell mulch, topsoil, gravel, and ready-mix concrete by the cubic yard, and one yard is 27 cubic feet, enough to cover about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. Convert your depth to feet, multiply the three dimensions, and divide by 27.
Cubic yards = length(ft) × width(ft) × depth(in)/12 ÷ 27
Example: a 12 by 10 foot bed at 3 inches deep is 30 cubic feet, which is 1.11 cubic yards. Order 1.25 yards and you have a small buffer for settling.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard cover?
About 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, 160 square feet at 2 inches, or 320 square feet at 1 inch. Halve the coverage each time you double the depth.
How heavy is a cubic yard?
Mulch runs 400 to 800 lb, topsoil about 2,000 lb, and gravel 2,800 lb or more. A standard pickup safely hauls about one yard of soil or two of mulch.
Should I order extra?
Add 5% to 10% for settling, uneven ground, and spillage. Rounding up to the supplier's next quarter yard is usually the practical move.