Cubic Yards Calculator
Cubic Yard Results
| Material | Weight/yd³ | Tons/yd³ | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (3000 PSI) | 4,050 lbs | 2.03 tons | $120–$200/yd³ |
| Gravel (crushed stone) | 2,800 lbs | 1.40 tons | $50–$90/yd³ |
| Topsoil | 2,100 lbs | 1.05 tons | $30–$65/yd³ |
| Sand | 2,700 lbs | 1.35 tons | $25–$60/yd³ |
| Mulch (shredded bark) | 400–800 lbs | 0.3 tons | $25–$50/yd³ |
| Pea Gravel | 2,500 lbs | 1.25 tons | $55–$100/yd³ |
The construction industry standardized on cubic yards because it's a practical unit for truck delivery: a standard ready-mix drum truck holds 8–10 cubic yards. A dump truck of gravel or topsoil holds 10–14 cubic yards. When you call a supplier, you order by the yard — so knowing how to convert your project dimensions directly to yards is the one skill that saves you from ordering too much or running short.
The formula is always the same: cubic yards = (L × W × D in feet) ÷ 27. The "27" comes from the fact that one cubic yard contains exactly 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft). Everything else — bag counts, cost estimates, weight calculations — flows from that one number.
The single most common error in DIY material calculations is mixing inches and feet. A 4-inch slab depth is 0.333 feet, not 4 feet. Entering 4 instead of 0.333 gives you a result 12× too large — you'd order enough concrete for a 4-foot thick slab. Always convert depth from inches to feet by dividing by 12 before multiplying. Our calculator handles this conversion automatically when you select the Inches input mode.
Cubic Yard Conversion Quick Reference
- 27 cubic feet
- ~45 bags of 80lb concrete
- ~60 bags of 60lb concrete
- ~1.4 tons of gravel (dry)
- 27 bags of 2 cu ft mulch
For a 4-inch slab, divide total square footage by 81 to get cubic yards. Example: 200 sq ft ÷ 81 = 2.47 yards. This works because 1 cu yd covers exactly 81 sq ft at 4-inch depth.
Common Cubic Yard Calculations
The easiest shortcut for 4-inch slabs: divide square footage by 81 to get cubic yards. For 6-inch slabs divide by 54. For gravel at 4-inch depth divide by 81. These shortcuts work because one cubic yard covers exactly 81 square feet at 4 inches deep (27 cubic feet ÷ 0.333 feet = 81.1 square feet).
When to Order Yards vs Buy Bags
Under 1.5 cubic yards — buy bags. Over 3 yards — ready-mix saves money on materials and hours of mixing labor. Between 1.5 and 3 yards is the grey zone where you should get an actual ready-mix quote before deciding. Short-load fees of $75–$200 below 3 yards can flip the math back toward bags.
The easiest shortcut for 4-inch slabs: divide square footage by 81 to get cubic yards. For 6-inch slabs divide by 54. This works because one cubic yard covers exactly 81 square feet at 4 inches deep (27 cubic feet ÷ 0.333 feet = 81.1 square feet).
🚛 Truck Payload Reality Check
| 2026 Truck | Max Payload | Concrete Capacity | Bag Capacity (80lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma (standard) | 1,521 lbs | ~0.38 cu yd | ~18 bags |
| Toyota Tacoma (i-FORCE MAX) | 1,705 lbs | ~0.42 cu yd | ~21 bags |
| Ford F-150 (PowerBoost Hybrid) | 1,740 lbs | ~0.43 cu yd | ~21 bags |
| Ford F-150 (5.0L V8) | 2,235 lbs | ~0.55 cu yd | ~27 bags |
| Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost) | 2,440 lbs | ~0.61 cu yd | ~30 bags |
| 3/4-ton (F-250, Silverado 2500) | 3,500+ lbs | ~0.87 cu yd | ~43 bags |
*Payload values from 2026 manufacturer specs. Your actual payload is on the door-jamb sticker. Add accessories (toolbox, bedliner) and that number drops 100-300 lbs. A driver and passenger count against payload too.
If your project needs more than 1 cubic yard (4,000 lbs), pickup-truck delivery requires multiple trips. For 2+ cubic yards, ready-mix delivery is almost always cheaper than the gas, time, and suspension wear of multiple bag runs. Most ready-mix trucks deliver 8-10 yards in one trip.
Cubic Yards to Bag Count Converter
Need to know exactly how many bags equal your cubic yards? Quick reference below — all numbers include 10% waste:
| Cubic Yards | 40 lb Bags | 60 lb Bags | 80 lb Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 cu yd | 25 bags | 17 bags | 12 bags |
| 0.5 cu yd | 50 bags | 33 bags | 25 bags |
| 1 cu yd | 100 bags | 66 bags | 50 bags |
| 2 cu yd | 200 bags | 132 bags | 99 bags |
| 3 cu yd | 300 bags | 198 bags | 149 bags |
Once you exceed 1.5 cubic yards (about 75 bags of 80lb), ready-mix delivery becomes more cost-effective than buying bags. Most plants require a minimum order of 1 yard with a short-load fee for under 3 yards.