Calculate cubic yards from cubic feet by dividing by 27, convert cubic yards back to cubic feet, or get both directly from length, width, and height.
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Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Formula
One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, so the conversion is a single division or multiplication depending on which way you are going.
yd^3 = ft^3 / 27
To go the other way, multiply instead of divide:
ft^3 = yd^3 * 27
When you start from measurements rather than a finished volume, find the cubic feet first, then divide by 27:
yd^3 = (length_ft * width_ft * height_ft) / 27
- yd^3 is the volume in cubic yards.
- ft^3 is the volume in cubic feet.
- length_ft, width_ft, height_ft are the three dimensions of the space, each measured in feet.
- 27 is the number of cubic feet in one cubic yard, because a cubic yard is 3 feet on every side and 3 x 3 x 3 = 27.
The cubic feet to cubic yards mode divides your entered cubic feet by 27. The cubic yards to cubic feet mode multiplies by 27. The length, width and height mode converts each measurement to feet, multiplies them for cubic feet, then divides by 27 so you get both values at once. The optional price field multiplies the cubic yards by your price per cubic yard to estimate material cost.
Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Conversion Reference
Common cubic feet amounts and their cubic yard equivalents:
| Cubic feet (ft³) | Cubic yards (yd³) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.037 |
| 10 | 0.370 |
| 27 | 1.000 |
| 50 | 1.852 |
| 100 | 3.704 |
| 135 | 5.000 |
| 500 | 18.519 |
| 1000 | 37.037 |
To convert a measurement that is not in feet, change it to feet before multiplying:
| Length unit | Multiply by to get feet |
|---|---|
| Inches | 0.08333 (divide by 12) |
| Yards | 3 |
| Meters | 3.28084 |
| Centimeters | 0.03281 |
Example Problems
Example 1. You have 135 cubic feet of mulch. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards: 135 / 27 = 5 cubic yards.
Example 2. A garden bed is 12 feet long, 9 feet wide, and filled 4 inches deep. First convert the depth to feet: 4 / 12 = 0.333 feet. The cubic feet are 12 * 9 * 0.333 = 36 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 36 / 27 = 1.333 cubic yards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. A cubic yard measures 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, and 3 times 3 times 3 equals 27.
How do you convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the number of cubic feet by 27. For example, 81 cubic feet divided by 27 equals 3 cubic yards. To reverse it, multiply the cubic yards by 27.
Why do materials like soil, gravel and concrete get sold by the cubic yard?
Bulk materials are heavy and are moved in large quantities, so the cubic yard is a more practical unit than the cubic foot. Converting your project volume to cubic yards lets you order the right amount and compare prices, which are usually quoted per cubic yard.
