Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards: How to Convert

One cubic yard equals exactly 27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide the number of cubic feet by 27. This calculator does that conversion instantly: enter a volume in cubic feet, and it returns the equivalent in cubic yards (and also shows the result in cubic meters for reference).

Formula

The conversion is a simple division:

Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27

Where:

• Cubic feet (ft³) – the volume you start with, measured in feet cubed.
• Cubic yards (yd³) – the resulting volume, measured in yards cubed.
• 27 – the number of cubic feet in one cubic yard (since 1 yard = 3 feet, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27).

If you need to go the other way, multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet.

Worked Example

Using the default value of 54 cubic feet:

1. Start with 54 ft³.
2. Divide by 27: 54 ÷ 27 = 2.
3. Result: 2 cubic yards.

The calculator also shows the metric equivalent: 54 ft³ × 0.028316846592 = 1.53 m³ (rounded to two decimals).

Why 27? Understanding the Math

The number 27 comes from the relationship between feet and yards. One yard is three feet. When you cube that (raise to the third power), you get 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. So a cube that is 1 yard on each side is 3 feet on each side, and its volume is 27 cubic feet.

This is a common source of confusion because converting linear measurements (feet to yards) only involves dividing by 3, but converting volume measurements requires dividing by 27. For example, 9 feet equals 3 yards, but 9 cubic feet equals only 0.333 cubic yards (9 ÷ 27).

When to Use This Conversion

You’ll most often need this when ordering materials like soil, mulch, gravel, or concrete. These are typically sold by the cubic yard, but you might measure your project area in cubic feet. For instance:

• A garden bed that is 10 ft long, 3 ft wide, and 1 ft deep has a volume of 30 cubic feet, which is about 1.11 cubic yards.
• A concrete slab that is 12 ft × 12 ft × 0.5 ft has a volume of 72 cubic feet, or 2.67 cubic yards.

Knowing this conversion helps you avoid ordering too little (which delays a project) or too much (which wastes money).

How to Measure in Cubic Feet

To get a volume in cubic feet, measure length, width, and height (or depth) in feet, then multiply them together. If your measurements are in inches, divide each by 12 first to get feet.

For irregular shapes, break the area into rectangles, calculate each volume, and add them up. For a circular area (like a round flower bed), use the formula π × radius² × depth, where radius and depth are in feet.

Always use the same unit for all three dimensions. Mixing inches and feet will give a wrong answer.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Confusing cubic feet with square feet: Square feet is area (length × width), cubic feet is volume (length × width × height). You cannot convert between them without knowing the depth.
• Dividing by 3 instead of 27: This is the most frequent error. Remember, it’s a volume conversion, so the factor is cubed.
• Rounding too early: If you round the cubic feet to a whole number before dividing, you may get a slightly off result. Keep full precision until the final step.
• Misreading units on a calculator: Some calculators label “cu ydâ€� as “cydâ€� or “yd³â€�. Make sure you’re looking at the right output.

Comparing Cubic Yards to Other Units

Here’s how cubic yards relate to other common volume units:

• 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
• 1 cubic yard = 46,656 cubic inches (since 1 ft³ = 1,728 in³, and 27 × 1,728 = 46,656)
• 1 cubic yard ≈ 0.7646 cubic meters
• 1 cubic yard ≈ 764.6 liters
• 1 cubic foot ≈ 0.037 cubic yards (1 ÷ 27)

For reference, a standard pickup truck bed holds roughly 2 to 3 cubic yards, and a typical wheelbarrow holds about 3 cubic feet (or 0.11 cubic yards).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

Exactly 27 cubic feet. This is because 1 yard = 3 feet, and 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.

Can I convert square feet to cubic yards?

No, not directly. Square feet measure area (two dimensions), while cubic yards measure volume (three dimensions). You need to know the depth (height) to convert from area to volume. For example, 100 square feet at 1 foot deep equals 100 cubic feet, which is about 3.7 cubic yards.

How do I estimate how much soil I need for a garden bed?

Measure the length, width, and depth of the bed in feet. Multiply them to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a bed that is 8 ft long, 2 ft wide, and 1 ft deep, the volume is 16 cubic feet, or about 0.59 cubic yards.

What is the difference between a cubic yard and a yard of topsoil?

In landscaping, “a yard of topsoil� usually means a cubic yard. It’s a volume measurement, not a linear one. So 1 yard of topsoil = 27 cubic feet of topsoil.

Is a cubic yard the same as a ton?

No. A cubic yard is a volume, while a ton is a weight. The weight of a cubic yard depends on the material. For example, dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 pounds per cubic yard, while gravel can weigh around 2,800 pounds per cubic yard. Always check the material’s density when converting between volume and weight.

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in ft3 | Cubic feet | ft³ | 54 | 0
out yd3 | Cubic yards | yd³ | ft3 / 27 | 2
out m3 | Cubic meters | m³ | ft3 * 0.028316846592 | 2