When planning a landscaping, gardening, or construction project, one of the most common questions is how many cubic feet in a cubic yard of soil. Whether you’re filling raised garden beds, leveling your lawn, or ordering topsoil for a large landscaping project, understanding this conversion helps you buy the right amount of soil and avoid unnecessary costs.
A cubic yard is the standard unit used by landscape suppliers, while many DIY projects are measured in cubic feet. Knowing how to convert between the two makes estimating soil volume much easier.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of soil, how to perform the conversion yourself, practical examples, conversion charts, and tips to estimate the amount of soil your project needs.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume commonly used in landscaping, construction, and gardening. It measures the amount of space inside a cube that is 1 yard long, 1 yard wide, and 1 yard high.
Since one yard equals three feet:
- Length = 3 feet
- Width = 3 feet
- Height = 3 feet
To calculate the volume:
3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet
Therefore, one cubic yard of soil equals 27 cubic feet.
This conversion never changes regardless of the soil type.
How Many Cubic Feet in a Cubic Yard of Soil?
The answer is simple:
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet |
|---|---|
| 1 | 27 |
| 2 | 54 |
| 3 | 81 |
| 4 | 108 |
| 5 | 135 |
| 10 | 270 |
Formula
Cubic Feet = Cubic Yards × 27
For example:
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- 4 cubic yards = 108 cubic feet
- 7 cubic yards = 189 cubic feet
Why Soil Is Sold in Cubic Yards
Most landscape supply companies sell bulk soil by the cubic yard because it is easier for transporting large quantities.
Instead of ordering:
- 270 cubic feet
You simply order:
- 10 cubic yards
This simplifies pricing and delivery.
Understanding Cubic Feet
A cubic foot is another unit of volume.
Imagine a box that measures:
- 1 foot long
- 1 foot wide
- 1 foot high
That box contains exactly one cubic foot.
Twenty-seven of these boxes fit inside one cubic yard.
Visualizing One Cubic Yard
Picture a cube measuring:
- 3 feet wide
- 3 feet long
- 3 feet tall
That entire cube contains:
27 cubic feet of soil
This visualization makes estimating landscaping materials much easier.
Formula to Convert Cubic Yards to Cubic Feet
The conversion formula is straightforward.
Cubic Feet = Cubic Yards × 27
Examples
1 cubic yard
1 × 27 = 27 cubic feet
2.5 cubic yards
2.5 × 27 = 67.5 cubic feet
6 cubic yards
6 × 27 = 162 cubic feet
12 cubic yards
12 × 27 = 324 cubic feet
Formula to Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards
Sometimes you measure your project in cubic feet and need to order soil in cubic yards.
Use this formula:
Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Examples
54 cubic feet
54 ÷ 27 = 2 cubic yards
81 cubic feet
81 ÷ 27 = 3 cubic yards
135 cubic feet
135 ÷ 27 = 5 cubic yards
Common Cubic Yard to Cubic Feet Conversion Chart
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | 6.75 |
| 0.5 | 13.5 |
| 0.75 | 20.25 |
| 1 | 27 |
| 1.5 | 40.5 |
| 2 | 54 |
| 2.5 | 67.5 |
| 3 | 81 |
| 4 | 108 |
| 5 | 135 |
| 6 | 162 |
| 7 | 189 |
| 8 | 216 |
| 9 | 243 |
| 10 | 270 |
How to Calculate Soil Needed for a Garden
Most projects begin with three measurements:
- Length
- Width
- Depth
All measurements should be in feet.
Step 1
Measure the length.
Example:
20 feet
Step 2
Measure the width.
Example:
12 feet
Step 3
Measure the desired soil depth.
Example:
6 inches
Convert inches into feet.
6 inches = 0.5 feet
Step 4
Multiply everything.
20 × 12 × 0.5
= 120 cubic feet
Step 5
Convert cubic feet into cubic yards.
120 ÷ 27
= 4.44 cubic yards
You should order approximately 4.5 cubic yards.
Raised Garden Bed Example
Suppose your raised bed measures:
- 8 feet long
- 4 feet wide
- 12 inches deep
Convert depth.
12 inches = 1 foot
Volume
8 × 4 × 1
= 32 cubic feet
Convert to cubic yards.
32 ÷ 27
= 1.19 cubic yards
Ordering 1.25 cubic yards would usually provide enough soil.
Lawn Repair Example
A homeowner wants to spread 3 inches of topsoil over a lawn measuring:
30 feet × 20 feet
Convert depth.
3 inches = 0.25 feet
Volume
30 × 20 × 0.25
= 150 cubic feet
Convert.
150 ÷ 27
= 5.56 cubic yards
Ordering 6 cubic yards is recommended.
Landscaping Example
A flower bed measures:
40 feet long
5 feet wide
8 inches deep
Convert depth.
8 inches = 0.67 feet
Volume
40 × 5 × 0.67
≈ 134 cubic feet
Convert.
134 ÷ 27
≈ 4.96 cubic yards
Ordering 5 cubic yards provides enough soil.
Soil Types That Are Sold by Cubic Yard
Many landscaping materials are sold using cubic yards, including:
- Topsoil
- Garden soil
- Compost
- Screened soil
- Fill dirt
- Mulch
- Sand
- Gravel
- Decorative stone
- Wood chips
Although the material changes, the conversion remains the same.
One cubic yard always equals 27 cubic feet.
Does Soil Weight Affect the Conversion?
No.
Weight and volume are different.
One cubic yard always contains 27 cubic feet.
However, the weight depends on:
- Moisture content
- Soil density
- Organic matter
- Clay content
- Sand content
For example:
| Soil Type | Approximate Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Dry topsoil | 1,800–2,200 pounds |
| Moist topsoil | 2,500–3,000 pounds |
| Compost | 1,000–1,600 pounds |
| Sand | 2,700–3,200 pounds |
Even though weights vary, each still occupies 27 cubic feet.
Benefits of Understanding This Conversion
Knowing the conversion helps you:
- Order the correct amount of soil.
- Avoid expensive over-ordering.
- Prevent shortages during projects.
- Estimate delivery costs.
- Compare prices from different suppliers.
- Plan landscaping accurately.
- Calculate raised bed volume easily.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing Square Feet with Cubic Feet
Square feet measure area.
Cubic feet measure volume.
Soil always requires volume.
Forgetting to Convert Inches to Feet
Depth should always be converted before multiplying.
Examples:
- 3 inches = 0.25 feet
- 6 inches = 0.5 feet
- 9 inches = 0.75 feet
- 12 inches = 1 foot
Ordering the Exact Amount
Always add about 5–10% extra to account for settling, uneven ground, and minor calculation errors.
Ignoring Soil Compaction
Fresh soil settles over time, especially after watering.
Ordering a little extra can prevent low spots.
Expert Tips
- Measure every section separately if your yard has different levels.
- Round up when ordering bulk soil.
- Ask suppliers whether their soil is screened or unscreened.
- Use online volume calculators to double-check measurements.
- Keep your measurements in feet for easier calculations.
- Remember the number 27—it is the key conversion factor between cubic yards and cubic feet.
Quick Reference Table
| Project Volume | Cubic Feet | Cubic Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Small planter | 5 | 0.19 |
| Raised bed | 27 | 1 |
| Medium garden | 81 | 3 |
| Large landscape | 135 | 5 |
| Backyard project | 270 | 10 |
When Should You Buy Soil by Cubic Yard?
Buying by the cubic yard is ideal for:
- New lawns
- Vegetable gardens
- Raised beds
- Flower gardens
- Tree planting
- Landscape grading
- Filling low spots
- Large home improvement projects
For very small projects, bagged soil may be more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard of soil?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard of soil.
Does every type of soil have 27 cubic feet per cubic yard?
Yes. Whether it is topsoil, compost, garden soil, or fill dirt, one cubic yard always equals 27 cubic feet.
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic feet?
Multiply the number of cubic yards by 27.
Example:
4 × 27 = 108 cubic feet.
How many cubic yards are in 54 cubic feet?
Divide 54 by 27.
The answer is 2 cubic yards.
Should I order extra soil?
Yes. Ordering 5–10% more than your estimate helps account for settling and uneven surfaces.
Conclusion
Understanding how many cubic feet in a cubic yard of soil is essential for anyone working on a gardening, landscaping, or construction project. The conversion is simple: one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. By using this standard formula, measuring your project carefully, and rounding up slightly when ordering, you can purchase the right amount of soil, reduce waste, and keep your project on schedule. Whether you’re filling raised beds, leveling your yard, or planning a major landscape renovation, mastering this conversion will save both time and money.
