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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 measures 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, which is 3 times 3 times 3, or 27 cubic feet. The table below converts common cubic-yard amounts to cubic feet, and the calculator handles any volume conversion.

Cubic yardsCubic feet
0.513.5
127
254
381
5135
10270
Cubic yards to cubic feet. Approximate, varies by material, moisture and supplier.

Why Are There 27 Cubic Feet in a Cubic Yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard because the conversion is cubed. One yard equals 3 feet in length. A cubic yard is a cube 1 yard on each side, which is 3 feet on each side. Its volume is 3 times 3 times 3, which equals 27 cubic feet. This is different from linear or square conversions: 1 yard is 3 feet, 1 square yard is 9 square feet, and 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.

How Do You Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards?

To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27. So 54 cubic feet is 2 cubic yards, and 135 cubic feet is 5 cubic yards. This matters because you often calculate a project volume in cubic feet (length times width times depth in feet) but order bulk material like concrete, gravel or soil by the cubic yard. The calculator does the division for you in either direction.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet in a yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard, because a cubic yard is 3 by 3 by 3 feet, which is 27.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the cubic feet by 27. So 54 cubic feet is 2 cubic yards.
How many square feet in a square yard?
There are 9 square feet in a square yard, since a square yard is 3 by 3 feet.