Cubic Yards – What They Are and How to Use Them in Landscaping
When planning any landscaping or gardening project, understanding cubic yards is essential. This unit of measurement helps you figure out how much material like topsoil, mulch, compost, gravel, or sand you’ll need to complete your project without waste or shortage.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume that measures 3 feet long × 3 feet wide × 3 feet deep. In simpler terms, one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
Think of it like this:
If you fill a box that’s 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft completely with soil, that’s 1 cubic yard.
Why Cubic Yards Matter in Gardening & Construction
Whether you’re filling up a raised garden bed or leveling out your backyard, materials like garden soil, bark mulch, or gravel are sold in cubic yards when ordered in bulk.
Common uses include:
- Topsoil delivery
- Raised bed soil filling
- Backyard leveling
- Driveway or walkway base preparation
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
To figure out how many cubic yards of material you need, use this simple formula:
Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
Use a Topsoil Calculator for Easy Estimation
Instead of doing manual math, you can use our free Topsoil Calculator to instantly estimate the number of cubic yards required for your space. Just plug in your area’s length, width, and depth and the calculator will do the rest.
How Much Does 1 Cubic Yard Cover?
| Depth | Area Covered per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~324 square feet |
| 2 inches | ~162 square feet |
| 3 inches | ~108 square feet |
| 6 inches | ~54 square feet |
This helps when you’re spreading soil, mulch, or compost evenly across a surface.
Final Thoughts
Understanding cubic yards helps you make accurate decisions when buying bulk materials for your garden or landscaping project. Whether you’re ordering mulch, gravel, or topsoil, knowing the correct quantity avoids overspending and saves time.
Use our Topsoil Calculator to make accurate volume measurements based on your area dimensions.
FAQs
How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?
To convert square feet to cubic yards, multiply the square footage by the depth in feet, then divide by 27.
Formula: Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards
How many bags of soil equal 1 cubic yard?
On average, it takes 27 bags (1 cubic foot each) to equal 1 cubic yard of soil. If you’re using 0.75 cu ft bags, you’ll need 36 bags.
What does 1 cubic yard of topsoil look like?
1 cubic yard of topsoil forms a pile roughly 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high—about the size of a standard washing machine.
How much area does 1 cubic yard of soil cover?
At 3 inches deep, 1 cubic yard covers approximately 108 square feet. At 6 inches deep, it covers about 54 square feet.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil typically weighs 1,800 to 2,200 pounds, depending on its moisture content and soil composition.