Calculators / Mulch, gravel and soil

Cubic yard calculator

Put in the area and how deep. You'll get the cubic yards, and what it weighs so you know if your truck can haul it.

Updated · How we check our numbers

These are example numbers. Put in yours.

The area

Shape of the area
ft
ft

How deep

in

12 in is 1 ft.

What it is

Order this much

2.5 cubic yards

4 in deep over 200 sq ft. Dry topsoil runs about 2,106 lb a yard, so that's 5,200 lb.

Area
200 sq ft
Cubic feet
66.7 cu ft
Cubic yards
2.5 cu yd
Weight
2.6 tons5,200 lb

Estimate for planning only, not professional advice. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, your local code and a licensed professional before you buy, build or install. Use at your own risk. Terms.

area = 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft

cubic feet = 200 sq ft × 4 in ÷ 12 = 66.7

cubic yards = 66.7 ÷ 27 = 2.5

weight = 2.5 yd × 2,106 lb = 5,200 lb

Pickup

That's more than any half-ton pickup is rated to carry. The best F-150 tops out at 2,440 lb, so it's 3 trips at the very least. Check the payload sticker in your door jamb, or get it delivered.

Ordering

This is the plain volume. Soil and gravel pack down, so the calculator for that material adds what it needs.

Weight

Weights are typical. Wet material weighs more, so ask the yard if you're near your truck's limit.

How we work it out

A cubic yard is 3 ft by 3 ft by 3 ft, which is 27 cubic feet.

cubic feet = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 12

cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27

So 100 sq ft at 3 1/4 in deep is about 1 yard. Weights come off a standard materials chart. A yard of dry topsoil runs about 2,100 lb, and wet dirt is closer to 2,700. That's more than the best half-ton pickup is rated to haul.

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