How many cubic yards in a dump truck load?
Quick Answer
A standard 10-wheel (tri-axle) dump truck holds 10–14 cubic yards of material. Tandem axle trucks carry 14–16 cubic yards. Small single-axle trucks haul 5–7 cubic yards. The actual capacity depends on the material's weight — heavier materials like gravel or wet soil fill trucks by weight before reaching full volume.
Quick Reference Table
| Truck type | Cubic yards by truck size |
|---|---|
| Small single-axle | 5–7 cubic yards |
| Standard 10-wheel | 10–14 cubic yards |
| Tandem axle | 14–16 cubic yards |
| Semi-trailer (end dump) | 20–26 cubic yards |
How to Calculate It Yourself
- 1
Calculate your material volume in cubic yards.
- 2
Contact local haulers to ask their truck capacity (volume and weight limit).
- 3
Divide your total yards by truck capacity to get number of loads.
- 4
Account for weight: a tandem truck may hold 14 yards of mulch but only 10 yards of gravel (weight limit reached first).
Pro Tip
Always clarify with your supplier whether the price is per cubic yard or per truckload. Loose materials (topsoil, mulch) settle 10–20% after delivery — order 10% extra to account for compaction.
Need an exact number for your specific dimensions?
Use the Cubic Yard Calculator →