Cubic Yard Calculator.
Calculate cubic yards from measurements in feet or inches. Get instant dumpster size recommendations for your project.
Quick Reference
Common Project Estimates
Click any project to see the recommended dumpster size.
How to Calculate Cubic Yards
Cubic yards measure volume — the amount of three-dimensional space something occupies. The formula is simple:
If measuring in inches: divide each measurement by 12 first to convert to feet, then use the formula above. Or multiply L × W × H in inches and divide by 46,656 (which is 27 × 1,728).
How Many Cubic Feet in a Yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. This is because a yard is 3 feet, and a cubic yard is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet = 27 cubic feet.
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet | Liters |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 13.5 | 382 |
| 1 | 27 | 765 |
| 2 | 54 | 1529 |
| 3 | 81 | 2294 |
| 5 | 135 | 3823 |
| 10 | 270 | 7646 |
| 15 | 405 | 11468 |
| 20 | 540 | 15291 |
| 30 | 810 | 22937 |
| 40 | 1080 | 30582 |
How Big Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet (1 yard) on each side. Visually, it's about the size of a washing machine or a large armchair. Here are some real-world comparisons:
- • 1 cubic yard of mulch covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep
- • 1 cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 lbs (2 tons)
- • 1 cubic yard of soil weighs about 2,200 lbs (1.1 tons)
- • A standard pickup truck bed holds about 2-3 cubic yards
- • A 10-yard dumpster holds 10 cubic yards (270 cubic feet)
Cubic Yards to Dumpster Size
Once you know how many cubic yards of debris your project will produce, use this guide to pick the right dumpster:
| Debris Volume | Dumpster Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 cubic yards | 10 yard | $250-400 |
| 3-5 cubic yards | 15 yard | $300-450 |
| 5-8 cubic yards | 20 yard | $350-500 |
| 8-12 cubic yards | 30 yard | $400-600 |
| 12+ cubic yards | 40 yard | $500-800 |
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