Show the formula and working
This free converter changes cubic yards to cubic metres, or cubic metres to cubic yards, for homeowners and builders in the UK, Ireland and Europe ordering skips, topsoil, concrete or aggregates, where suppliers still mix imperial and metric units. It also estimates the weight in tonnes for concrete, sand, gravel, sub-base, topsoil or a density you enter.
Quick answer: To convert cubic yards to cubic metres, multiply by 0.764555. One cubic yard is exactly 0.764554857984 m³, so 5 yd³ is 3.823 m³ and an 8 yard skip holds about 6.12 m³. To go back, multiply cubic metres by 1.30795: 10 m³ is 13.08 yd³.
What Is a Cubic Yards to Cubic Metres Converter?
A cubic yards to cubic metres converter is a tool that changes a volume in imperial cubic yards (yd³) into metric cubic metres (m³), or the reverse. The formula is m³ = yd³ x 0.764554857984, because a yard is exactly 0.9144 m and a cubic yard is 0.9144 x 0.9144 x 0.9144 m. To convert back, yd³ = m³ / 0.764554857984, the same as multiplying by about 1.30795. Weight in tonnes = cubic metres x density in tonnes per cubic metre.
The yard is fixed at exactly 0.9144 metres in UK law by Schedule 1 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985, so the volume conversion is exact. The weight is an estimate, because a material’s density depends on moisture, grading and compaction.
How Do You Use the Cubic Yards to Cubic Metres Converter?
- Choose the Direction: “Cubic yards to cubic metres” or “Cubic metres to cubic yards”.
- Type the number into Volume (yd3 or m3).
- To see the weight, pick the Material (for weight), or choose “Own density (enter below)” and fill in Own density from your supplier.
- Read the result, then open “Show the formula and working” to see the multiplication, cubic feet, litres and tonnes.
How Many Cubic Metres Are in a Cubic Yard?
One cubic yard is 0.7646 cubic metres, so a cubic yard is about three quarters of a cubic metre. Put the other way, one cubic metre is about 1.31 cubic yards. For a quick check, take a quarter off the cubic yards: 8 yd³ less a quarter is 6 m³, close to the exact 6.12 m³.
| Cubic yards | Cubic metres | Topsoil at 1.31 t/m³ | Wet concrete at 2.40 t/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yd³ | 0.76 m³ | 1.00 t | 1.83 t |
| 2 yd³ | 1.53 m³ | 2.00 t | 3.67 t |
| 3 yd³ | 2.29 m³ | 3.00 t | 5.50 t |
| 4 yd³ | 3.06 m³ | 4.01 t | 7.34 t |
| 6 yd³ | 4.59 m³ | 6.01 t | 11.01 t |
| 8 yd³ | 6.12 m³ | 8.01 t | 14.68 t |
| 10 yd³ | 7.65 m³ | 10.02 t | 18.35 t |
| 12 yd³ | 9.17 m³ | 12.02 t | 22.02 t |
| 14 yd³ | 10.70 m³ | 14.02 t | 25.69 t |
| 20 yd³ | 15.29 m³ | 20.03 t | 36.70 t |
How Many Cubic Metres Is an 8 Yard Skip?
An 8 yard skip holds about 6.12 cubic metres, because UK skip sizes are named in cubic yards and 8 x 0.7646 = 6.12 m³. A 4 yard mini skip holds about 3.06 m³ and a 12 yard skip about 9.17 m³. Heavy waste such as soil or rubble often has a weight limit before the skip is full, so check with the hire firm. The skip size calculator helps you pick a size from your waste.
How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Topsoil Weigh?
A cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 1 tonne at a typical loose density of 1.31 t/m³, while a cubic yard of wet concrete weighs about 1.83 tonnes at 2.4 t/m³. Wet soil is heavier and well drained soil lighter, so treat the figure as a guide. Concrete’s density of around 2,400 kg/m³ is described in the properties of concrete on Wikipedia. For loose aggregates in tonnes, use the tonnes to cubic metres aggregate converter.
Worked Example: Converting a Topsoil Order
Example: an online guide says a new lawn needs 5 cubic yards of topsoil, but local suppliers sell by the cubic metre and the tonne. Enter 5 in Volume (yd3 or m3) with the Direction on “Cubic yards to cubic metres” and the material set to topsoil. The converter shows 5 x 0.764555 = 3.823 m³, which is 135 ft³. At 1.31 t/m³, that is 3.823 x 1.31 = 5.01 tonnes of topsoil.
Check the supplier’s own density before ordering, since a bulk bag sold by volume can weigh more or less than this. More tools are on the area and volume converters page.
Cubic Yards to Cubic Metres FAQs
How do I convert cubic yards to cubic metres?
Multiply the cubic yards by 0.764555. For example, 10 yd³ x 0.764555 = 7.65 m³. For a rough figure, take a quarter off the cubic yards, which gives 7.5 m³ for the same volume.
How do I convert cubic metres to cubic yards?
Multiply the cubic metres by 1.30795, or divide by 0.764555. So 1 m³ is 1.31 yd³, 5 m³ is 6.54 yd³ and 10 m³ is 13.08 yd³.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, because a yard is 3 feet long and 3 x 3 x 3 = 27. One cubic foot is about 0.0283 m³, and 27 of them make 0.7646 m³.
Is a cubic yard bigger than a cubic metre?
No. A cubic yard is smaller, at about 0.76 m³. A cubic metre is a box 1 m on each side, while a cubic yard is a box 0.9144 m on each side, so a cubic metre holds about 31% more.
How many tonnes is a cubic yard of concrete?
About 1.83 tonnes, using a typical wet concrete density of 2.4 tonnes per cubic metre and 0.7646 m³ per cubic yard. Ready mixed concrete in the UK is ordered in cubic metres, so convert before you call the supplier.
Why are skips measured in cubic yards?
Skip sizes in the UK grew up in imperial units and the names stuck, so an 8 yard skip means 8 cubic yards. In metric that is about 6.12 m³. Hire firms usually state both the yard size and the dimensions.
Checked October 2026. Sources: Weights and Measures Act 1985, Schedule 1 (legislation.gov.uk), Cubic yard (Wikipedia), Properties of concrete (Wikipedia).