When you need this conversion
Concrete, gravel, topsoil, mulch and sand are sold by the cubic yard in the US and by the cubic meter elsewhere. Converting helps compare quotes and follow instructions written in the other system.
Quick reference
- 1 yd³ = 0.764555 m³ = 27 ft³
- 2 yd³ = 1.52911 m³
- 5 yd³ = 3.82277 m³
- 10 yd³ = 7.64555 m³
- 1.30795 yd³ = 1 m³
Estimating material
For a slab or bed, multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10 × 10 ft area at 4 in (0.333 ft) deep is 33.3 ft³, or 1.23 yd³ (0.94 m³). Order about 10% extra for waste and uneven ground.
Common mistakes
Mixing linear and cubic yards. A cubic yard is 27 times a cubic foot, not 3 times.
Forgetting depth units. Depths are often in inches; divide by 12 first.
For smaller volumes, see cubic feet to cubic meters.