When you go to the home improvement center, it’s usually pretty easy to eyeball the bags of mulch, dirt, stone, and concrete to figure out how many you need for your project. But for bigger projects, these materials are sold in cubic yards, making it much trickier to figure out how much to buy.
Whether you’re filling your pickup truck or having a load delivered on a dump truck, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about working with cubic yards.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a cube of material that is one yard (three feet) wide, long, and high. There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard. Before you get the yardstick to measure the size, keep in mind that loose materials will fluff up significantly if dry and compress down when wet.
How Much Does a Cubic Yard Weigh?
The weight of a cubic yard depends entirely on the material you’re measuring.
- Mulch weighs in at roughly up to 1,000 pounds per cubic yard, depending on the type and whether it’s wet or dry.
- Soil weighs about 2,200 pounds per cubic yard, depending on the moisture content.
- Sand, Gravel, Stone, Landscaping Rock can tip the scales at upwards of 3,000 pounds per cubic yard.
Check with your supply yard for weights of specific materials.
How Many Wheelbarrow Loads Are in a Cubic Yard?
Wheelbarrows come in different sizes, but a medium-sized, three-cubic-foot wheelbarrow will take about nine loads to equal one cubic yard of material.
How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need?
The best way to estimate the quantity you’ll need is by plugging the height, width, and length needed into our cubic yard calculator. As a general guideline, if you’re spreading the material three inches thick, one cubic yard will cover about 100 square feet or a 10-foot by 10-foot area.
Can I Haul a Cubic Yard in My Pickup Truck or Trailer?
Sure, assuming it doesn’t weigh more than the truck or trailer is rated to handle. Supply yards are usually good at sizing up your vehicle and loading a safe amount of material.
Still, if you’re driving the load yourself, it’s important to understand your vehicle’s hauling capacity, as well as how your vehicle behaves when fully loaded. Trailers can be especially difficult due to the risk of fishtailing.
If you’re pushing the weight limit, stay off major highways and Interstates, and keep your speed under 45 mph.
To plan a safe project, you really need to determine the weight of the specific material you’re ordering. However, here are some general guidelines to give you an idea of how many trips it might take for a big project:
- Full-size Pickup Trucks: Can usually handle two cubic yards of soil, two to three cubic yards of mulch, and one cubic yard of stone or gravel.
- Small Pickups and Trailers: Can usually handle one cubic yard of soil to maybe one and one-half of mulch.
- Dump Trucks: If you’re having the material delivered, a small dump truck usually carries about five cubic yards, and a larger one carries about 10 cubic yards or more.
How Do I Buy Materials by the Cubic Yard?
If you’re new to working with cubic yards of material, it’s really easy to get started. During peak seasons, supply can’t always keep up with demand, so start by calling your local supply yards to get prices and availability of the desired material.
- Landscape supply companies usually carry topsoil, mulch, sand, gravel, and patio stone.
- Mulch and compost, made from ground-up yard waste, may also be available at your local landfill for a low price.
- Concrete needs to be ordered from a concrete delivery company and comes premixed in trucks.
If you want the material delivered, you can place your order right then over the phone. If you’re picking it up yourself, you simply need to drive into the supply yard, park at the office or booth, and go inside to place your order and pay. The staff person will then direct you to the loading area, where a front-end loader will come and scoop the material into your truck or trailer, and off you go.
What Should I Do With My Materials?
Ideally, you should dump the material at the final location — your back will thank you. With my small truck, I just back it right up to the flower bed or driveway, then shovel the material out. If that’s not possible, dump it in a flat spot where you aren’t worried about killing the grass underneath. If you’ve got a really big project, enlist some help and two to three wheelbarrows to keep the job moving along.
Is It Cheaper to Buy Bulk Material by Bag or by Cubic Yard?
In my experience, buying materials by the cubic yard is generally more cost effective than purchasing by the bag for larger projects. Bulk purchases eliminate individual packaging costs and often come with volume discounts.
However, for small DIY jobs, bagged landscape materials may be more convenient and prevent waste. Always calculate the price per cubic yard for both options to determine the best value for your specific project.
How Do I Convert Cubic Yards to Tons for Ordering Gravel?
The conversion depends on the material’s density, which varies by gravel type. For most gravel, one cubic yard is roughly equivalent to 1.4 to 1.6 tons. I always recommend checking with your supplier for the specific conversion rate of the material you’re ordering, as some dense gravels can weigh up to two tons per cubic yard.
Can I Order a Fraction of a Cubic Yard?
Yes, most suppliers allow orders in quarter- or half-cubic-yard increments, but minimum order quantities may apply. For smaller projects, some yards offer partial loads or will work with you to get just the amount you need. However, delivery fees might make very small orders less cost effective.
How Much Does Delivery Cost for Bulk Materials?
Delivery fees vary by supplier, distance, and order size, typically ranging from $50 to $150 per trip. Some suppliers offer free delivery for larger orders — often those exceeding 10 to 15 cubic yards.
It’s worth calling multiple suppliers to compare delivery fees, as they can significantly impact your landscaping project’s total cost.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the world of bulk materials can be daunting for many homeowners, but with these FAQs about buying materials by the cubic yard, you’re well equipped to tackle your next project. Remember to always prioritize safety if you transport the materials yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask suppliers for advice on quantities and delivery options. Happy landscaping!
Further Information
- Cubic Yard Calculator (article)
