You want to know, “How much is a half a yard?” A half yard is a way people talk about a certain amount of material. It means 0.5 cubic yards. Think of materials like dirt, mulch, or gravel. When you buy these in bulk, you often get them by the cubic yard or half cubic yard. So, half a yard is simply half of one cubic yard of material.
Image Source: threadsmonthly.com
Grasping What a Yard Is
First, let’s talk about a full yard. When people say “yard” in this case, they do not mean the length of a yardstick. They mean a cubic yard.
A cubic yard is a measure of volume. It’s like a box. This box is 3 feet long. It is 3 feet wide. And it is 3 feet tall.
Imagine a big square box. Each side of this box is 3 feet long.
How big is that in total space? We multiply the length, width, and height.
3 feet * 3 feet * 3 feet = 27 cubic feet.
So, a cubic yard is the same as 27 cubic feet. This is a common way to measure things like soil, sand, gravel, and mulch when you buy a lot at once.
Deciphering Half a Yard
Now, let’s look at half a yard. This is simply half of that big box we just talked about.
Half of one cubic yard is 0.5 cubic yards.
How much is that in cubic feet?
We take the total cubic feet in a full yard (27 cubic feet).
Then we divide that number by two.
27 cubic feet / 2 = 13.5 cubic feet.
So, a half yard volume is 13.5 cubic feet. This is the size of the space the material would fill if it was packed perfectly into a box that size.
Think of 0.5 cubic yards as 13 and a half cubic feet. This is the exact amount of material you get when you order half a yard.
Here is a simple look at the size:
| Measure | Volume | In Cubic Feet |
|---|---|---|
| A Full Yard | 1 cubic yard | 27 cubic feet |
| A Half Yard | 0.5 cubic yards | 13.5 cubic feet |
Knowing these numbers helps you figure out how much material you need for a project. It also helps you figure out if half a yard is enough.
Visualizing 0.5 Cubic Yards
It can be hard to picture 13.5 cubic feet. Or even 0.5 cubic yards. Materials like soil or mulch do not come in a neat box. They are usually dumped in a pile.
How big is this pile? The size of the pile depends on the material. It also depends on how loosely or tightly it settles.
But we can think about the cubic yard dimensions to help picture it. A full cubic yard is like a 3-foot cube. Half of that is like slicing that cube in half.
Imagine a cube 3 feet tall, 3 feet wide, and 1.5 feet deep. That would be 3 * 3 * 1.5 = 13.5 cubic feet. This is 0.5 cubic yards.
So, picture a box about as wide as a doorway (3 feet). Picture it as tall as a tabletop (3 feet). And picture it about half a yardstick deep (1.5 feet). That box holds half a yard.
When dumped, the pile is usually wider at the bottom. It goes up to a peak. It might look like a small car hood amount. Or maybe it covers half of a parking space with material about knee-deep in the center.
It is important to know that this is just a rough idea. The actual shape will vary.
Figuring Out How Much Area 0.5 Cubic Yards Covers
A big question is: How much ground can half a yard cover?
This depends on two things:
1. The amount of material you have (we know this is 0.5 cubic yards or 13.5 cubic feet).
2. How deep you want to spread the material.
Let’s use the amount in cubic feet (13.5 cubic feet). This is often easier for figuring out area coverage.
The volume of material you have is equal to the area you cover multiplied by the depth you spread it.
Volume = Area * Depth
We know the Volume is 13.5 cubic feet.
We need to pick a Depth. Let’s say you want to spread mulch 2 inches deep.
First, we must make sure all our units are the same. Our volume is in feet. So, our depth must also be in feet.
There are 12 inches in 1 foot.
So, 2 inches is 2 / 12 of a foot. This is about 0.167 feet.
Now we can use the formula:
13.5 cubic feet = Area * 0.167 feet
To find the Area, we divide the Volume by the Depth:
Area = 13.5 cubic feet / 0.167 feet
Area is about 80.8 square feet.
So, 0.5 cubic yards (half a yard volume) of material spread 2 inches deep will cover about 80 square feet.
What if you want a different depth? Let’s try a few common depths:
| Desired Depth | Depth in Feet (approx.) | Area Covered by 0.5 Cubic Yards (13.5 cubic feet) (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 1/12 = 0.083 feet | 13.5 / 0.083 = about 162.7 square feet |
| 2 inches | 2/12 = 0.167 feet | 13.5 / 0.167 = about 80.8 square feet |
| 3 inches | 3/12 = 0.25 feet | 13.5 / 0.25 = about 54 square feet |
| 4 inches | 4/12 = 0.333 feet | 13.5 / 0.333 = about 40.5 square feet |
| 6 inches | 6/12 = 0.5 feet | 13.5 / 0.5 = 27 square feet |
This table shows that half a yard can cover a good amount of space, especially if you spread it thin. For example, 1 inch of coverage covers over 160 square feet. That’s a pretty big garden bed! If you need deeper coverage, like for leveling soil, it covers a smaller area.
Looking at Different Materials: Half Yard Amounts
The volume of 0.5 cubic yards is always 13.5 cubic feet. But different materials act differently. They weigh different amounts. They are used for different jobs. Let’s look at some common materials you might buy in a half yard.
Mulch Half Yard
Mulch is very popular. People use it in gardens and around trees. It helps keep water in the soil. It stops weeds from growing. It makes the garden look nice.
A mulch half yard is 0.5 cubic yards of mulch. This is 13.5 cubic feet.
Mulch is usually light compared to stone or soil. But 13.5 cubic feet is still a lot of mulch!
Common depths for mulch are 2 to 4 inches.
* At 2 inches deep, a mulch half yard covers about 80 square feet.
* At 3 inches deep, it covers about 54 square feet.
* At 4 inches deep, it covers about 40 square feet.
This is enough mulch for:
* A large garden bed (at 2 inches deep).
* Several small garden beds.
* Ringing a few trees.
Different types of mulch exist. Wood chips, bark, shredded mulch, and more. The type might affect how it spreads a little. But the volume (0.5 cubic yards) stays the same.
Topsoil Half Yard
Topsoil is the rich, dark soil used for planting. You might need it to fill raised garden beds. You might need it to level a bumpy lawn. You might need it to improve soil quality.
A topsoil half yard is 0.5 cubic yards of topsoil. This is 13.5 cubic feet.
Topsoil is much heavier than mulch. It is made of dirt and organic matter.
Common depths for topsoil vary a lot. It depends on the job.
* Adding just 1 inch to improve soil: covers about 160 square feet.
* Filling a raised bed that is 1 foot deep: covers about 13.5 square feet (a 3×4.5 foot area).
* Leveling a lawn with low spots needing 3 inches: covers about 54 square feet.
A topsoil half yard is good for:
* Adding soil to a few garden beds.
* Patching bare spots in a lawn.
* Creating a small new planting area.
Topsoil quality varies. Some is screened (fine and smooth). Some has compost added. The volume is the same, but the quality and weight can be different.
Concrete Half Yard
Concrete is used for hard surfaces. Think sidewalks, patios, or footings for a deck. Concrete starts as a wet mix. It hardens over time.
Concrete half yard means 0.5 cubic yards of wet concrete mix. This is 13.5 cubic feet.
Concrete is very, very heavy. It is much heavier than soil or mulch.
Concrete is usually poured thicker than mulch or soil is spread. Common depths are 4 inches or more.
Let’s see how much a concrete half yard covers at typical depths:
* At 4 inches deep: covers about 40.5 square feet. This could be a small patio section.
* At 6 inches deep: covers about 27 square feet. This could be a small shed base or footing.
A concrete half yard is a specific amount often ordered from a concrete company. It is a good amount for:
* Pouring a small concrete slab.
* Making footings for a small project.
* Repairing a section of sidewalk.
Ordering concrete is different from mulch. It needs to be poured quickly before it hardens.
Gravel Price Per Half Yard
Gravel and stone are used for driveways, paths, drainage, and decoration. Different sizes exist, from small pea gravel to larger crushed stone.
A gravel half yard is 0.5 cubic yards of gravel or stone. This is 13.5 cubic feet.
Gravel is also heavy. It is usually heavier than soil but can vary by stone type.
Common depths for gravel depend on the use:
* A thin layer for a path (2 inches): covers about 80 square feet.
* A thicker layer for a driveway base (4-6 inches): covers less area (40-27 square feet).
The gravel price per half yard varies a lot. It depends on:
* The type of stone (color, size, shape).
* Where you live.
* The supplier you buy from.
Prices can range widely. You might pay anywhere from $30 to $100 or more for just the gravel for a half yard. This price does not include delivery. You need to check with local suppliers for exact prices.
Finding Out Gravel Price Per Half Yard
To get the gravel price per half yard in your area, you should:
1. Look online for local landscape supply yards or gravel pits.
2. Call or visit their websites.
3. Ask for the price of the specific type and size of gravel you want.
4. Make sure you ask for the price for 0.5 cubic yards or half a yard.
5. Also, ask about their delivery cost.
Prices change. Always check current prices.
How Many Wheelbarrows in Half a Yard?
So you have this pile of 0.5 cubic yards (13.5 cubic feet). How do you move it from the dump spot to where you need it? Most people use a wheelbarrow.
How many trips will you need to make? How many wheelbarrows in half a yard?
This depends on your wheelbarrow size. Wheelbarrows come in different sizes. A common home wheelbarrow might hold about 2 to 3 cubic feet of material.
Let’s say your wheelbarrow holds 2.5 cubic feet.
Total volume: 13.5 cubic feet.
Wheelbarrow capacity: 2.5 cubic feet.
Number of loads = Total Volume / Wheelbarrow Capacity
Number of loads = 13.5 cubic feet / 2.5 cubic feet per load
Number of loads = 5.4 loads
So, you would need about 5 to 6 wheelbarrow loads.
If your wheelbarrow is larger, say 3 cubic feet:
Number of loads = 13.5 / 3 = 4.5 loads.
That’s about 4 or 5 loads.
If your wheelbarrow is smaller, say 2 cubic feet:
Number of loads = 13.5 / 2 = 6.75 loads.
That’s about 6 or 7 loads.
Important Note: This is just math based on volume. In real life, you might not fill your wheelbarrow perfectly full every time. Especially with heavy materials like gravel or concrete. A “full” wheelbarrow of heavy stone can be very hard to push. You might carry less than the full volume capacity to make it easier.
So, plan for roughly 5 to 7 wheelbarrow loads for a half a yard. If the material is heavy, it might take more, smaller loads. This is a good workout!
Looking at Half Yard Delivery Cost
Buying bulk material like half a yard means it usually gets delivered by a truck. The delivery adds to the total cost.
The half yard delivery cost is not usually a set price everywhere. It depends on several things:
* Distance: How far away is your home from the supply yard? Longer distances cost more.
* Fuel Prices: When gas and diesel prices are high, delivery costs often go up.
* Supplier: Different companies charge different delivery fees.
* Truck Size: Sometimes the cost depends on the size of the truck needed. Even for half a yard, they might use a larger truck if they don’t have smaller ones.
* Minimum Orders: Some suppliers have a minimum order amount for delivery. This might be 1 yard, 2 yards, or more. If you only need half a yard, they might still charge you the fee for their minimum, or they might add a ‘small load’ fee. Or they might not deliver less than their minimum at all.
Getting a quote for the half yard delivery cost is very important. Always ask the supplier what the delivery fee will be before you order.
Delivery fees can add a significant amount to your total cost. Sometimes the delivery fee costs more than the half yard of material itself, especially for cheaper materials like basic gravel or mulch.
Choosing Half a Yard: Is It Right for Your Job?
Half a yard (0.5 cubic yards or 13.5 cubic feet) is a good amount for small to medium projects.
It is often the right amount if you are:
* Adding mulch to one or two garden beds.
* Topping up soil in several large pots or a small raised bed.
* Patching a small section of a gravel path or driveway.
* Pouring a very small concrete slab (like for an AC unit).
* Needing a small amount of a specific material for a repair.
It might NOT be enough if you are:
* Mulching a very large garden area.
* Building many new, large raised beds.
* Putting down a new gravel driveway or path for a long distance.
* Pouring a large patio or walkway.
Using the coverage estimates (like the table showing area per depth) helps you decide if half a yard is enough. Measure your area first!
Learning How to Calculate Your Material Needs
Before you order half a yard (or any amount), figure out exactly how much you need. This saves money and avoids having too much or too little material.
Here’s how to figure out how much volume you need:
-
Measure the Area:
- Measure the length of the area you want to cover in feet.
- Measure the width of the area in feet.
- Multiply length times width to get the area in square feet.
- Example: A garden bed is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. Area = 10 ft * 5 ft = 50 square feet.
-
Decide the Depth:
- How deep do you want the material? (e.g., 3 inches for mulch).
- Make sure this depth is in feet. Divide the inches by 12.
- Example: 3 inches / 12 inches per foot = 0.25 feet.
-
Calculate the Volume in Cubic Feet:
- Multiply the Area (in square feet) by the Depth (in feet).
- Volume = Area * Depth
- Example: Volume = 50 square feet * 0.25 feet = 12.5 cubic feet.
-
Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards:
- Remember, 1 cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
- Divide your volume in cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
- Example: 12.5 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet per yard = about 0.46 cubic yards.
In this example, 0.46 cubic yards is very close to 0.5 cubic yards. Ordering half a yard would be just right.
If your calculation gives you a much smaller number, like 0.1 cubic yards, half a yard might be too much. If it’s a much bigger number, like 1.2 cubic yards, half a yard is not enough. You would need more than one yard.
Always calculate your needs first. Then compare to standard order sizes like half a yard or one yard. It’s often better to have a little extra than not enough. But ordering way too much costs extra money.
Weighing the Cost: Bulk vs. Bags
You can often buy materials like mulch, soil, or gravel in small bags at a garden center. Or you can buy in bulk by the cubic yard or half yard from a landscape supplier.
Buying in bags is good for very small jobs. Like topping up one pot. Bags are easy to handle. You can pick them up yourself.
Buying in bulk (like a half yard) is usually cheaper per volume. A bag of mulch might be 2 or 3 cubic feet. You would need many bags to equal 13.5 cubic feet (half a yard). Buying a half yard in bulk is often less expensive than buying 5 or more bags of the same material.
However, buying in bulk requires:
* Space to have the material dumped.
* A wheelbarrow and tools to move it.
* Paying for delivery (Half yard delivery cost).
For a half yard project, bulk is usually the more cost-effective way to buy the material itself. But you must add in the delivery cost and your own labor to move it. Weigh these things to decide what is best for your job.
Summarizing Half a Yard
To wrap up:
* A half yard is a measure of volume.
* It means 0.5 cubic yards.
* This is the same as 13.5 cubic feet.
* It’s half the size of a full cubic yard (which is 27 cubic feet).
* It is used for measuring bulk materials like soil, mulch, gravel, or concrete.
* The amount of area it covers depends on how deep you spread it.
* It typically requires 5 to 7 wheelbarrow loads to move.
* The gravel price per half yard and other materials vary.
* There is usually a Half yard delivery cost if you cannot pick it up.
Knowing these facts helps you understand how much material you are getting when you order half a yard. It helps you plan your projects better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about half a yard of material.
h4 Is 0.5 cubic yards a lot of material?
Yes, it is a good amount. It equals 13.5 cubic feet. Think of it as a medium-sized pile. It’s often enough for small to medium landscaping or concrete jobs. It’s too much to fit in the trunk of a car or even a standard pickup truck bed (most only hold about 1-2 cubic yards filled to the top, which would be very heavy).
h4 Is a half yard heavy?
Yes, even half a yard can be heavy, depending on the material.
* Mulch: Relatively light, maybe a few hundred pounds. Still heavy for one person to lift all at once.
* Topsoil: Heavier, can be 1,000 to 1,500 pounds (half a ton to three-quarters of a ton).
* Gravel/Stone: Quite heavy, often 1,500 to 2,000 pounds (three-quarters of a ton to a full ton).
* Concrete: Very heavy, easily over 2,000 pounds (more than a ton).
This is why delivery is common. Moving it with a wheelbarrow requires effort due to the weight.
h4 Can I pick up a half yard in my truck?
Maybe, but be very careful! Half a yard of light material like mulch might fit and be within your truck’s weight limit. However, half a yard of heavy material like topsoil, gravel, or concrete will likely be too heavy for most standard pickup trucks. Overloading your truck is unsafe and can damage it. Always check your truck’s payload capacity and the estimated weight of the material before trying to pick it up. Delivery is often safer and easier for heavy materials.
h4 How deep will half a yard cover my space?
This depends on the size of your space. Use the calculation method: Volume (13.5 cubic feet) = Area (your measured square footage) * Depth. Rearrange it: Depth = Volume / Area. Divide 13.5 by your area in square feet. This gives you the depth in feet. Multiply by 12 to get the depth in inches. For example, if your area is 50 sq ft, the depth is 13.5 / 50 = 0.27 feet. 0.27 * 12 = about 3.2 inches deep.
h4 Is buying half a yard cheaper than buying bags?
Usually, yes, when you look at the cost per cubic foot or cubic yard. Bulk material is priced lower per volume than bagged material. However, you must add the cost of delivery for bulk material, which can sometimes make the total cost similar or even higher for very small half-yard orders compared to just buying a few bags for a tiny job. For most small-to-medium jobs needing half a yard, bulk is usually less expensive overall.