Convert Square Feet Into Cubic Yards (SF to CY)

How to convert square feet to cubic yards

Multiply the square footage by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. 1,000 square feet at 3 inches deep is 1,000 × 3 ÷ 324 = 9.26 cubic yards. The 324 is the 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard times the 12 inches in a foot.

Formula

Cubic yards = square feet × depth (in) ÷ 324

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft)

Worked example

1,000 sq ft, 3 in deep

Start from the area: 1,000 sq ft.
Convert the depth to feet: 3 in ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft.
Multiply by the depth: 1,000 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 250 cubic feet.
Divide by 27: 250 ÷ 27 = 9.26 cubic yards.

Square feet to cubic yards chart

Cubic yards needed for common areas at common depths.

Area	1 in	2 in	3 in	4 in	6 in
100 sq ft	0.31	0.62	0.93	1.23	1.85
250 sq ft	0.77	1.54	2.31	3.09	4.63
500 sq ft	1.54	3.09	4.63	6.17	9.26
900 sq ft	2.78	5.56	8.33	11.11	16.67
1,000 sq ft	3.09	6.17	9.26	12.35	18.52
1,500 sq ft	4.63	9.26	13.89	18.52	27.78
2,000 sq ft	6.17	12.35	18.52	24.69	37.04
5,000 sq ft	15.43	30.86	46.3	61.73	92.59

Why the depth matters

Square feet measure area; cubic yards measure volume, so there is no single conversion without a depth. The same 500 square feet takes 1.54 cubic yards at 1 inch deep but 9.26 cubic yards at 6 inches.

If you measured the depth in feet, multiply square feet by the depth in feet and divide by 27 instead.

Frequently asked questions

How many square feet does a cubic yard cover?

Divide 324 by the depth in inches: 324 square feet at 1 inch, 108 at 3 inches, 81 at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches.

Coverage chart

How many cubic yards do I need for 1,000 square feet?

It depends on the depth: 3.09 cubic yards at 1 inch, 9.26 at 3 inches, 12.35 at 4 inches and 18.52 at 6 inches.

What does SF to CY mean?

It is shorthand for square feet (SF) to cubic yards (CY), the conversion this page does.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

27. One cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft.

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