Cubic feet to cubic yards

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Converter – ft³ to yd³

Cubic Feet to Cubic Yardsft³ → yd³

Convert cubic feet to cubic yards instantly. See the step-by-step formula and a full reference table for every common value.

ft³ to yd³ Converter
ft³
yd³
Step-by-step solution
Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards Reference Table
Cubic Feet (ft³)Cubic Yards (yd³)Decimal Result

How to Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards

Converting cubic feet to cubic yards requires a single arithmetic step. Divide any number of cubic feet by 27 to get the equivalent volume in cubic yards.

yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27
(or equivalently: yd³ = ft³ × 0.037037)

Why 27? The Geometry Behind the Conversion

One yard equals exactly 3 feet. To convert a linear measurement to a volume measurement you cube it. So one cubic yard equals 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, which is 27 cubic feet. Because there are 27 cubic feet in every cubic yard, dividing by 27 performs the conversion.

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Front face (9 ft²)
1 cubic yard = 3 layers of 9 cubic feet
3 ft wide × 3 ft tall × 3 ft deep = 27 cubic feet total

Worked Example

To convert 150 cubic feet to cubic yards: divide 150 by 27 to get 5.5556 yd³. Rounding to two decimal places gives 5.56 yd³.

150 ft³ ÷ 27 ft³/yd³ = 5.5556 yd³
Quick memory trick: Think of a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cube. Three threes multiplied together always give you 27. So one cubic yard always contains 27 cubic feet.

When You Need This Conversion

Knowing when to apply the cubic feet to cubic yards conversion saves time and prevents ordering errors on construction and landscaping projects.

Concrete and Masonry Work

Concrete suppliers sell ready-mix by the cubic yard. If you measured your slab or footing in feet, calculate the volume in cubic feet first, then divide by 27 to find the cubic yards to order.

Landscaping and Bulk Materials

Mulch, topsoil, compost, gravel and decorative stone are all sold by the cubic yard. Most homeowners naturally measure garden beds in feet, making this conversion an everyday landscaping step.

Dumpster and Hauling Capacity

Dumpster rental companies rate container capacity in cubic yards. Estimate the cubic feet of debris you need to remove, then convert to cubic yards to select the right dumpster size.

Excavation Volume

Excavation contractors quote removal by the cubic yard. Measure your dig in feet (length × width × depth), convert to cubic yards and use that figure when comparing contractor quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you convert cubic feet to cubic yards?+
Divide the number of cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. The formula is yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27. This works because one cubic yard contains exactly 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³).
How many cubic feet are in one cubic yard?+
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Because one yard equals 3 feet, cubing that gives 3 × 3 × 3 = 27. So 1 yd³ = 27 ft³ is the exact conversion factor.
What is the decimal to multiply instead of dividing by 27?+
Multiply by 0.037037 (which is 1 divided by 27) to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. The result is identical to dividing by 27. For example, 54 ft³ × 0.037037 = 2 yd³.
How many cubic yards is 100 cubic feet?+
100 cubic feet equals approximately 3.7037 cubic yards. Divide 100 by 27 to get the result: 100 ÷ 27 = 3.7037 yd³.
Why do suppliers use cubic yards instead of cubic feet?+
Suppliers use cubic yards because bulk materials like concrete, soil and gravel come in large quantities. Cubic yards produce smaller, more manageable numbers for ordering and pricing. One cubic yard of concrete is a standard truck-mixer load increment.
How do I convert cubic inches to cubic yards?+
Divide cubic inches by 46,656 to get cubic yards. This is because one yard equals 36 inches, and 36 × 36 × 36 = 46,656 cubic inches per cubic yard. You can also convert cubic inches to cubic feet first (divide by 1,728), then divide by 27 to reach cubic yards.