Enter a volume in cubic yards and choose the material to get its weight in US tons, metric tonnes and pounds. Use a custom density from your supplier, add extra for compaction and estimate the cost.
Last updated:
yd³
lb/yd³
From your supplier. 1 ton/yd³ = 2,000 lb/yd³; 1 kg/m³ = 1.6856 lb/yd³.
%
Optional. 5–10% is common for gravel and base material.
$
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Cubic Yards to Tons Converter
Enter the volume in cubic yards.
Choose the material, or pick Custom and type the density your supplier gives.
Add an extra percentage for compaction or waste if you are ordering.
Enter a price per ton to estimate the cost (optional).
Read the tons and tonnes, and compare other materials in the chart and table.
How to convert cubic yards to tons
A cubic yard is a volume (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 ft³) and a ton is a weight, so the conversion depends on how heavy the material is. Multiply the volume by the material's density, then divide by 2,000 pounds per US ton:
tons = cubic yards × lb per yd³ ÷ 2,000
Example: 12 yd³ of gravel at about 2,800 lb/yd³ is 12 × 2,800 = 33,600 lb, and 33,600 ÷ 2,000 = 16.8 tons. In metric tonnes: 33,600 × 0.45359237 ÷ 1,000 = 15.24 t.
Typical weight per cubic yard
Material
lb per yd³
US tons per yd³
Tonnes per yd³
kg per m³
Gravel
2,800
1.40
1.27
1,661
Crushed stone
2,700
1.35
1.22
1,602
Sand (dry)
2,600
1.30
1.18
1,543
Sand (wet)
3,100
1.55
1.41
1,839
Topsoil (dry)
2,000
1.00
0.91
1,187
Topsoil (moist)
2,600
1.30
1.18
1,543
Mulch / wood chips
600
0.30
0.27
356
Concrete (wet, ready-mix)
4,050
2.02
1.84
2,403
Asphalt (hot mix, compacted)
3,915
1.96
1.78
2,323
These are typical figures for planning. Density changes with moisture (wet sand and soil can be 15–30% heavier than dry), particle size and how tightly the material is packed. Suppliers often publish their own tons-per-yard factor; enter it with the custom option.
Ordering tips
Yards or tons? Quarries usually sell stone, gravel and sand by the ton, while landscape yards sell mulch and soil by the cubic yard. Convert both ways to compare quotes.
Allow for compaction. Gravel and road base settle when compacted, so many contractors add 5–10% extra. Use the extra field.
Check truck limits. A typical single-axle dump truck carries roughly 5–7 tons and a tandem about 10–15 tons, depending on the truck and local rules. Heavy materials like concrete or wet sand fill a truck's weight limit long before its volume.
Need the volume first? Measure length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
It depends on the material. A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, crushed stone about 1.35 tons, dry sand about 1.3 tons, dry topsoil about 1 ton, mulch about 0.3 tons and wet concrete about 2 tons.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply the cubic yards by the material density in pounds per cubic yard, then divide by 2,000. For example, 5 yd³ × 2,600 lb/yd³ = 13,000 lb = 6.5 tons.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Typical gravel weighs about 2,800 lb per cubic yard (1.4 US tons), though it ranges from roughly 2,400 to 3,000 lb depending on stone type, size and moisture.
What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?
A US (short) ton is 2,000 lb (907.2 kg). A metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb), about 10% heavier. The UK long ton is 2,240 lb.
Why do wet sand and soil weigh more?
Water fills the spaces between grains and adds weight. Wet sand can be 15–20% heavier than dry sand, and saturated soil more still, so ask whether a supplier quotes a dry or wet weight.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards, using 2,800 lb per cubic yard (2,000 ÷ 2,800). For crushed stone at 2,700 lb/yd³ it is about 0.74 cubic yards per ton.
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