1. What is a Cubic Yard?

A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to 27 cubic feet (3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet). It's commonly used in landscaping and construction to measure materials like soil, mulch, gravel, and concrete.

2. How the Calculation Works

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( length \) — Length in feet
• \( width \) — Width in feet
• \( depth \) — Depth in feet
• 27 — Conversion factor (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet)

Explanation: First calculate cubic feet by multiplying length × width × depth, then convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27.

3. Practical Applications

Details: Knowing cubic yards helps determine how much dirt you need for projects like filling garden beds, leveling lawns, or construction site preparation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure the length and width of your area in feet. For depth, convert inches to feet (divide by 12). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many cubic yards do I need for a 10×10 area?
A: For 1 foot depth: (10×10×1)/27 = 3.7 cubic yards. For 6 inches depth: (10×10×0.5)/27 = 1.85 cubic yards.

Q2: How many wheelbarrows in a cubic yard?
A: Typically 9-14 wheelbarrows per cubic yard, depending on wheelbarrow size (usually 2-3 cubic feet capacity).

Q3: How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?
A: Approximately 2,000-3,000 lbs depending on moisture content and composition.

Q4: How to measure irregular areas?
A: Break into regular shapes (rectangles, triangles), calculate each separately, then sum the volumes.

Q5: How much will a cubic yard cover?
A: One cubic yard covers 100 sq ft at 3 inch depth, or 54 sq ft at 6 inch depth.