How to use the cubic feet to cubic yards converter
- Select the conversion direction: cubic feet to cubic yards, or cubic yards to cubic feet.
- Type the volume into the number field.
- The result updates live as you type, showing the converted value.
- For bulk materials like concrete or soil, round up slightly to account for settling and spillage.
How the conversion works
A yard is exactly three feet. Because volume is three-dimensional, one cubic yard is 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. To go the other way, multiply by 27.
For example, a driveway base that requires 135 cubic feet of gravel needs 135 / 27 = 5 cubic yards. Conversely, ordering 2.5 cubic yards of topsoil gives you 2.5 x 27 = 67.5 cubic feet of material.
Common volume reference table
This table shows frequently used conversions between cubic feet and cubic yards for quick reference on job sites and in planning.
| Cubic feet (ft³) | Cubic yards (yd³) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.037037 |
| 9 | 0.333333 |
| 27 | 1 |
| 54 | 2 |
| 81 | 3 |
| 135 | 5 |
| 270 | 10 |
Practical uses in construction and landscaping
Ready-mix concrete is sold by the cubic yard in the United States. If you measure a slab form in feet and calculate its volume in cubic feet, you must convert cubic feet to cubic yards before calling the batch plant. A typical 10 x 12 foot patio poured 4 inches thick holds 40 cubic feet, which is about 1.48 cubic yards. Most suppliers require a minimum order of 1 yard, so you would order 1.5 or 2 yards.
Mulch, topsoil, and gravel are also priced per cubic yard. When spreading mulch 3 inches deep over a garden bed, calculating the area in square feet and multiplying by the depth in feet gives you cubic feet. Dividing by 27 tells you how many bags or truckloads to buy. For related area calculations, see square meters to square feet or acres to square feet.
Relationship to other volume units
One cubic foot equals approximately 7.48052 US gallons. If you need to know liquid capacity rather than bulk material volume, converting to gallons first may be more useful. See the cups to gallons or liters to gallons tools for liquid measures.
In metric terms, one cubic yard is about 0.764555 cubic meters. When working with international plans, you might first convert linear dimensions using feet to meters, then cube the result, rather than converting the final volume directly.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent error is treating linear, square, and cubic conversions as if they use the same factor. Three feet make one yard, but nine square feet make one square yard, and twenty-seven cubic feet make one cubic yard. Always confirm you are working with volume, not length or area.
Another mistake is rounding too early. If you divide 100 cubic feet by 27, you get 3.7037 cubic yards. Rounding that to 3.7 before ordering concrete could leave you short by nearly a quarter of a yard, which is enough to leave a visible gap in a pour. Keep full precision until the final order quantity.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 27 cubic feet (exactly 1 yard) | Conversion direction: ft3-to-yd3; Volume: 27 | Cubic yards: 1; Cubic feet entered: 27 |
| 10 cubic yards of mulch | Conversion direction: yd3-to-ft3; Volume: 10 | Cubic feet: 270; Cubic yards entered: 10 |
| Small planter box (5 ft3) | Conversion direction: ft3-to-yd3; Volume: 5 | Cubic yards: 0.185185185185; Cubic feet entered: 5 |
| Truck bed (2.5 yd3) | Conversion direction: yd3-to-ft3; Volume: 2.5 | Cubic feet: 67.5; Cubic yards entered: 2.5 |
FAQ
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the number of cubic feet by 27. For example, 54 cubic feet divided by 27 equals 2 cubic yards.
Why is the factor 27 instead of 3?
A yard is 3 feet long, but volume has three dimensions: length, width, and height. So 3 x 3 x 3 = 27.
Is this converter accurate for ordering concrete?
Yes, the math is exact. However, always add 5 to 10 percent extra to your order to account for spillage, uneven subgrade, and waste.
Can I convert negative volumes?
No. Volume is a physical quantity that cannot be negative. The tool will return an error if you enter a value below zero.
Does this tool work offline?
Yes. The calculation runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript, so it works without an internet connection once the page is loaded.