cubic yards to tons calculator
A cubic yards to tons calculator multiplies yards by density in tons per yard: 10 yd³ of gravel at 1.4 t/yd³ weighs 14 tons; topsoil at 1.1 weighs 11 tons.
How many tons is a cubic yard?
This cubic yards to tons calculator converts volume to weight with one multiplication: tons = cubic yards × density in tons per cubic yard. Ten cubic yards of gravel at 1.4 tons per yard weighs 14.00 tons. Change the density to match your material, since a yard of topsoil weighs far less than a yard of crusher run.
Enter the cubic yards and the density. The default density, 1.4, is typical for gravel.
The conversion in plain words
A cubic yard is a box 3 ft on each side. How heavy that box is depends on what fills it:
- Packed with crusher run, it weighs about 1.5 tons, or 3,000 lb.
- Filled with gravel, about 1.4 tons, or 2,800 lb.
- Filled with topsoil, about 1.1 tons, or 2,200 lb.
The calculator multiplies your yards by that per-yard weight. One US ton is 2,000 lb, so tons × 2,000 gives pounds if you need them.
Worked examples
- Default: 10 yd³ of gravel at 1.4 t/yd³
- Tons: 10 × 1.4 = 14.00 tons
- Pounds: 14 × 2,000 = 28,000 lb
- Driveway base: 6.5 yd³ of crusher run at 1.5 t/yd³
- Tons: 6.5 × 1.5 = 9.75 tons
- At $40 per ton, about $390
- Garden soil: 4 yd³ of topsoil at 1.1 t/yd³
- Tons: 4 × 1.1 = 4.40 tons
Density reference
These are the loose, dry figures used across this site’s calculators.
| Material | Tons per yd³ | Lb per yd³ | 10 yd³ weighs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil, fill dirt | 1.10 | 2,200 | 11.0 tons |
| Sand, masonry sand, play sand | 1.35 | 2,700 | 13.5 tons |
| #57 stone, crushed stone, crushed limestone | 1.35 | 2,700 | 13.5 tons |
| Gravel, pea gravel, river rock, #2 stone | 1.40 | 2,800 | 14.0 tons |
| Crusher run, road base, Class 5, rip rap | 1.50 | 3,000 | 15.0 tons |
Real weights vary by quarry, stone type, and moisture. A supplier’s figure for their own material beats any table.
Tons for common order sizes
| Cubic yards | Topsoil (1.1) | Sand (1.35) | Gravel (1.4) | Crusher run (1.5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.10 | 1.35 | 1.40 | 1.50 |
| 3 | 3.30 | 4.05 | 4.20 | 4.50 |
| 5 | 5.50 | 6.75 | 7.00 | 7.50 |
| 10 | 11.00 | 13.50 | 14.00 | 15.00 |
| 15 | 16.50 | 20.25 | 21.00 | 22.50 |
How to get the cubic yards first
Measure length and width in feet and depth in inches. Then:
- Cubic yards = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27.
- A 20 × 10 ft area at 4 inches is 200 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 2.47 yd³.
- At 1.4 t/yd³ that is 3.46 tons.
The cubic yard calculator does this step for you.
Common mistakes
- Using one density for everything. Topsoil and crusher run differ by about 36% per yard.
- Mixing up US tons and metric tonnes. A US ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 2,205 lb. Use the pounds to tons calculator to check.
- Converting compacted volume. If your depth is a compacted depth, order extra, because loose material shrinks when compacted.
- Ignoring truck limits. A small truck may carry only a few tons. Ask before you order 15 yards of stone.
Going the other way
If a supplier quotes per ton and you know the tons, use the tons to cubic yards calculator. For a full gravel order with depth and waste built in, use the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the material's density in tons per cubic yard. Ten cubic yards of gravel at 1.4 tons per yard is 10 × 1.4 = 14 tons. The same 10 yards of topsoil at 1.1 tons per yard is only 11 tons, because soil is lighter than stone.
Which density do I use?
The figures this site uses: gravel, pea gravel, and river rock 1.4; sand, #57 stone, and crushed stone 1.35; crusher run, road base, and rip rap 1.5; topsoil and fill dirt 1.1 tons per cubic yard. The calculator defaults to 1.4 for gravel. If your supplier gives a figure, use theirs.
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons, or 2,800 lb, for typical dry gravel. Actual weights commonly range from about 1.3 to 1.5 tons depending on the rock type, stone size, and moisture.
Why convert cubic yards to tons at all?
You measure a job by volume, length × width × depth, but most quarries weigh trucks and bill by the ton. Converting tells you what the scale ticket and invoice will show, and whether one truck or two is needed.
Does moisture change the weight?
Yes. Wet sand and soil can weigh noticeably more than dry, so the same cubic yard reads heavier on the scale after rain. When ordering by the ton in wet weather, you may get slightly less volume per ton.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.