If you are planning a garden, filling raised beds, leveling your lawn, or buying soil for a landscaping project, knowing how much soil comes in a cubic yard can help you estimate the quantity you need. One of the most common questions homeowners and gardeners ask is: how many cubic feet are in a yard of soil?
One cubic yard of soil contains exactly 27 cubic feet. This measurement is based on the fact that one yard equals 3 feet, so a cubic yard measures 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.
A cubic yard is a standard unit used by landscaping suppliers to sell topsoil, garden soil, fill dirt, compost, and other bulk materials. Understanding this conversion helps you compare prices, calculate the amount of soil required for a project, and avoid ordering too much or too little.
In this guide, you will learn how many cubic feet are in a yard of soil, how to calculate soil volume, how much area a cubic yard can cover, and how to estimate the amount needed for gardens, lawns, and raised beds.
How Many Cubic Feet Are in a Yard of Soil?
One cubic yard of soil equals 27 cubic feet.
The word cubic means that the measurement includes three dimensions: length, width, and height or depth. A cubic yard is not simply a yard-long strip of soil; it is a volume measuring one yard in all three directions.
Since one yard equals 3 feet, the calculation is:
3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet = 27 cubic feet
Therefore:
- 1 cubic yard of soil = 27 cubic feet
- 2 cubic yards of soil = 54 cubic feet
- 3 cubic yards of soil = 81 cubic feet
- 4 cubic yards of soil = 108 cubic feet
- 5 cubic yards of soil = 135 cubic feet
- 10 cubic yards of soil = 270 cubic feet
These conversions work for any material measured in cubic yards, including topsoil, compost, mulch, sand, and gravel. The material’s weight may vary, but the volume conversion remains the same.
What Does a Cubic Yard of Soil Look Like?
A cubic yard of soil is the amount needed to fill a box measuring 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet tall.
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To visualize this quantity, imagine a cube with these dimensions:
- Length: 3 feet
- Width: 3 feet
- Height: 3 feet
- Total volume: 27 cubic feet
A cubic yard can look different depending on the soil’s moisture, texture, and how loosely or tightly it is piled. A loose pile may spread over a larger area and have an irregular shape, but the quoted volume is still one cubic yard if it contains the stated amount of material.
When a landscaping supplier delivers soil in a loose pile, do not expect it to resemble a perfect cube. The cube is simply a convenient way to understand the volume.
How to Convert Cubic Yards of Soil Into Cubic Feet
Converting cubic yards into cubic feet is straightforward. Multiply the number of cubic yards by 27.
Formula:
Cubic feet = Cubic yards × 27
For example, if you order 3 cubic yards of soil:
3 × 27 = 81 cubic feet
You will receive 81 cubic feet of soil by volume.
Here are additional examples:
| Cubic yards of soil | Cubic feet |
|---|---|
| 0.25 cubic yard | 6.75 cubic feet |
| 0.5 cubic yard | 13.5 cubic feet |
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet |
| 1.5 cubic yards | 40.5 cubic feet |
| 2 cubic yards | 54 cubic feet |
| 3 cubic yards | 81 cubic feet |
| 4 cubic yards | 108 cubic feet |
| 5 cubic yards | 135 cubic feet |
| 8 cubic yards | 216 cubic feet |
| 10 cubic yards | 270 cubic feet |
This table is useful when comparing bulk soil deliveries with bags that list their volume in cubic feet.
How to Calculate How Much Soil You Need
Before ordering soil, calculate the volume of the area you want to fill. For a rectangular or square area, multiply its length by its width and then by the desired soil depth.
Formula:
Volume in cubic feet = Length × Width × Depth
Make sure all measurements are in feet.
Example: Filling a Garden Bed
Suppose your garden bed measures:
- Length: 10 feet
- Width: 6 feet
- Soil depth: 1 foot
Calculate the volume:
10 × 6 × 1 = 60 cubic feet
Convert cubic feet into cubic yards:
60 ÷ 27 = 2.22 cubic yards
You need approximately 2.22 cubic yards of soil to fill the bed to a depth of 1 foot, assuming the dimensions represent the space you need to fill.
Because soil is commonly sold in increments set by the supplier, you may need to order 2.25 or 2.5 cubic yards, or another available quantity. Consider settling and the supplier’s minimum order when deciding how much to purchase.
How Much Area Does One Cubic Yard of Soil Cover?
The area covered by one cubic yard depends on how deep you spread the soil. A cubic yard always contains 27 cubic feet, but a thinner layer covers more ground than a thicker layer.
To calculate coverage, divide the volume in cubic feet by the desired depth in feet.
Formula:
Coverage in square feet = 27 ÷ Depth in feet
For example, if you spread one cubic yard of soil at a depth of 3 inches, first convert the depth into feet:
3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet
Then calculate the coverage:
27 ÷ 0.25 = 108 square feet
One cubic yard of soil can cover approximately 108 square feet at a depth of 3 inches.
Soil Coverage by Depth
| Soil depth | Approximate coverage from 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 square feet |
| 2 inches | 162 square feet |
| 3 inches | 108 square feet |
| 4 inches | 81 square feet |
| 6 inches | 54 square feet |
| 9 inches | 36 square feet |
| 12 inches | 27 square feet |
These figures assume the soil is spread evenly and that the full 27 cubic feet is usable. In real projects, uneven ground, settling, and soil loss may affect the final coverage.
How Many Cubic Feet of Soil Are in a Raised Garden Bed?
Raised garden beds are often measured in feet, making cubic feet a convenient unit for calculating how much soil to buy.
Example: A 4 × 8 Raised Bed
Suppose you have a raised bed measuring 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, and you want to fill it to a depth of 12 inches, or 1 foot.
Calculate the volume:
4 × 8 × 1 = 32 cubic feet
Convert to cubic yards:
32 ÷ 27 = 1.19 cubic yards
You need approximately 32 cubic feet, or 1.19 cubic yards, of soil.
Example: A 4 × 8 Raised Bed With 6 Inches of Soil
A depth of 6 inches equals 0.5 feet.
4 × 8 × 0.5 = 16 cubic feet
16 ÷ 27 = 0.59 cubic yard
For this bed, approximately 16 cubic feet of soil is required.
These calculations assume you are filling the entire measured space. If your raised bed already contains soil, compost, or other material, subtract the volume already present.
How Many Bags of Soil Equal One Cubic Yard?
The number of bags required depends on the volume printed on each bag.
Since one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, divide 27 by the volume of one bag.
Formula:
Number of bags = 27 ÷ Bag volume in cubic feet
Here are common examples:
| Bag size | Bags needed for 1 cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.5 cubic foot | 54 bags |
| 0.75 cubic foot | 36 bags |
| 1 cubic foot | 27 bags |
| 1.5 cubic feet | 18 bags |
| 2 cubic feet | 13.5 bags |
| 3 cubic feet | 9 bags |
If a bag contains 2 cubic feet, you need 13.5 bag-equivalents to equal one cubic yard. In practice, you must buy 14 whole bags to obtain at least 27 cubic feet.
Always check the volume printed on the bag. Bag sizes differ by product and supplier, and the package may list weight rather than volume.
How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Soil Weigh?
Although one cubic yard always equals 27 cubic feet, its weight can vary considerably.
Soil weight depends on several factors:
- Moisture content
- Soil type and composition
- Organic matter content
- Compaction
- Amount of sand, clay, and other particles
A cubic yard of dry, loose topsoil may weigh substantially less than a cubic yard of wet, compacted soil. As a rough planning estimate, some common soils may weigh around 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per cubic yard, but actual weights can fall outside this range.
Do not use this estimate to determine whether a vehicle or trailer can safely carry the load. Ask the supplier for the product’s estimated weight and check the vehicle’s payload capacity.
If you are buying soil for a raised bed, weight is often less important than volume. If you are transporting the soil yourself, however, weight becomes a critical safety consideration.
What Is the Difference Between a Cubic Yard and a Square Yard?
A cubic yard and a square yard measure different things.
A cubic yard measures volume, while a square yard measures area.
One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. One square yard equals 9 square feet.
For example, if you spread one cubic yard of soil across a garden at a depth of 3 inches, it covers approximately 12 square yards, or 108 square feet.
The reason is that volume depends on both the area covered and the depth of the material. You cannot convert cubic yards into square yards accurately unless you know the depth at which the soil will be spread.
Tips for Ordering Soil
Before placing an order, use these practical tips to avoid buying too much or too little soil.
- Measure the area carefully. Measure length, width, and the depth you want to fill.
- Use consistent units. Convert all dimensions into feet before calculating cubic feet.
- Divide by 27. Convert your total cubic feet into cubic yards when ordering bulk soil.
- Account for settling. Loose soil may settle after watering or compaction. The additional amount needed depends on the material and the project.
- Check the product type. Topsoil, garden soil, compost, and fill dirt have different characteristics and may not be interchangeable.
- Confirm delivery quantities. Ask the supplier whether the quoted quantity is measured as loose volume or by another method.
- Plan for access and storage. Make sure the delivery location can accommodate the soil pile and delivery vehicle.
For raised beds, you may also want to account for existing soil, drainage materials, and the growing requirements of your plants before determining the final quantity.
FAQs
1. How many cubic feet are in one yard of soil?
One cubic yard of soil contains exactly 27 cubic feet. The calculation is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet = 27 cubic feet.
2. How many cubic feet are in 2 yards of soil?
Two cubic yards equal 54 cubic feet because 2 × 27 = 54.
3. How many cubic feet are in 5 yards of soil?
Five cubic yards contain 135 cubic feet because 5 × 27 = 135.
4. How many bags of soil equal one cubic yard?
It depends on the bag size. You need 27 bags of 1-cubic-foot soil, approximately 14 bags of 2-cubic-foot soil, or 9 bags of 3-cubic-foot soil to obtain at least one cubic yard.
5. How much area will one cubic yard of soil cover?
At a depth of 3 inches, one cubic yard covers approximately 108 square feet. At 6 inches, it covers about 54 square feet. Coverage changes with the depth of the soil layer.
6. How many cubic yards of soil do I need for a 10 × 10 area?
If the area measures 10 feet by 10 feet and you want a depth of 6 inches, the volume is 10 × 10 × 0.5 = 50 cubic feet.
Divide 50 by 27 to get approximately 1.85 cubic yards.
7. Is a cubic yard of soil the same as 27 cubic feet?
Yes. One cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet. This is a mathematical conversion that applies to soil and other materials measured by volume.
8. How much does one cubic yard of soil weigh?
Its weight depends on the soil type, moisture, and compaction. A rough estimate may range from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per cubic yard for some common soils, but ask the supplier for a product-specific estimate.
9. Can I use cubic feet to calculate soil for a garden?
Yes. Multiply the garden’s length by its width and the desired soil depth, with all dimensions in feet. The result is the volume in cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert it to cubic yards.
10. Should I order extra soil?
You may need extra soil if the ground is uneven, the material settles, or some soil is lost during handling. The appropriate allowance depends on the project, so calculate the required volume first and then discuss any additional quantity with your supplier.
Conclusion
One cubic yard of soil contains 27 cubic feet, making it easy to convert between the two volume measurements. To calculate how much soil you need, multiply the length, width, and depth of the area in feet to find its volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27 to determine the number of cubic yards.
A single cubic yard can cover different amounts of ground depending on the depth of the soil layer. It covers approximately 108 square feet at a depth of 3 inches or 54 square feet at a depth of 6 inches. By measuring carefully, checking bag sizes, and allowing for project-specific conditions, you can estimate your soil requirements more confidently and plan your gardening or landscaping project efficiently.
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