Cubic yard coverage chart
How far does a cubic yard go, and how many do you need? Use the charts below for mulch, soil, gravel, sand, or any other bulk material sold by the yard.
Area covered by one cubic yard
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. The deeper you spread it, the less area it covers.
| Depth | Square feet | Square metres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 30.1 |
| 2 in | 162 | 15.1 |
| 3 in | 108 | 10.0 |
| 4 in | 81 | 7.5 |
| 6 in | 54 | 5.0 |
| 8 in | 41 | 3.8 |
| 12 in | 27 | 2.5 |
Cubic yards needed by area and depth
Exact volumes with no allowance for waste or settling.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.31 | 0.46 | 0.62 | 0.93 |
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.23 | 1.85 |
| 200 sq ft | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 | 3.70 |
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.70 | 5.56 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
Bags in a cubic yard
| Bag size | Bags in one cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 0.5 cu ft bag | 54 |
| 1 cu ft bag | 27 |
| 2 cu ft bag | 13.5 |
| 3 cu ft bag | 9 |
Common questions
How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?
It depends on depth. A cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch deep, 108 square feet at 3 inches, and 54 square feet at 6 inches. Divide 324 by the depth in inches to find any depth.
How do I read the second table?
Find your area in the left column and your depth across the top. The number is the cubic yards needed, with nothing added for waste or settling. Add 5 to 10 percent for most jobs, or use a calculator above for your exact size.
Why do some bag counts have a half?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. With 2 cubic foot bags that is 13.5 bags, so you round up to 14 when buying.
Is this chart the same for every material?
The volume is the same for any material, because a cubic yard is a cubic yard. The weight is not, so for tons use the material calculators or the cubic yards to tons converter.