A cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on every side, roughly the size of a standard washing machine standing on its end and a bit wider.
Comparing it to everyday objects
A cubic yard is about the size of a small refrigerator on its side plus some. It is about 13 to 14 bags of mulch, 9 wheelbarrow loads at 3 cubic feet each, or roughly a third of the bed of a small dump truck.
It fits about half of the volume inside a standard pickup bed.
How much it covers
At 1 inch deep, a cubic yard covers 324 square feet. At 2 inches, it covers 162 square feet. At 3 inches, 108 square feet. At 4 inches, 81 square feet. At 6 inches, 54 square feet.
How much it weighs
The weight depends on the material. A cubic yard of wood chips may weigh around 500 pounds, mulch around 700, compost about 1,000, topsoil about 2,200, gravel about 2,800, and concrete about 4,050 pounds.
Using the size to plan
If you can picture a cube 3 feet on each side, you can judge a delivery pile. One cubic yard looks small when spread on a lawn but weighs a lot, so plan how to move and spread it.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards fit in a pickup truck?
Most pickups hold 1 to 2 cubic yards by volume, but payload limits usually reduce what you can carry.
How tall is a cubic yard?
It is 3 feet tall, or 36 inches.
How many wheelbarrow loads are in a cubic yard?
Nine loads if the wheelbarrow holds 3 cubic feet.