tons to cubic yards calculator
A tons to cubic yards calculator divides tons by the material's density: 10 tons of gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard comes to 7.143 yd³ of material.
Converting tons to cubic yards
A tons to cubic yards calculator turns the weight of a bulk material into the space it takes up. Enter the number of tons and the material’s density in tons per cubic yard. The tool divides the first by the second.
Imagine a pickup bed. A ton of feathers would overflow it, and a ton of lead would fill a corner. Weight alone does not tell you how much space something fills, so you need the density to link them.
The formula in plain words
Cubic yards = tons ÷ density, where density is in tons per cubic yard.
If a cubic yard of gravel weighs 1.4 tons, then 1.4 tons fills one yard. Two and a half tons fills about 1.8.
Worked example: a gravel delivery
You order 10 tons of gravel. The density is 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
- Cubic yards: 10 ÷ 1.4 = 7.143 yd³
Worked example: sand
A sand delivery weighs 25 tons. The density is 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
- Cubic yards: 25 ÷ 1.35 = 18.519 yd³
Typical densities
These are the densities used across this site’s calculators, in short tons per cubic yard.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Yards in 10 tons |
|---|---|---|
| Topsoil or fill dirt | 1.10 | 9.091 |
| Sand or crushed stone | 1.35 | 7.407 |
| Gravel | 1.40 | 7.143 |
| Crusher run or road base | 1.50 | 6.667 |
The lighter the material, the more yards you get from each ton. Topsoil at 1.1 gives 9.09 yards from 10 tons, while crusher run at 1.5 gives only 6.67.
Where to get the density
The best source is your supplier. They sell by weight and know how much a yard of their material weighs. Ask for the figure at the moisture level it ships at.
If you cannot ask, use the typical numbers in the table. Treat them as planning values. The real weight depends on the rock type, the moisture, and how loosely the material is piled.
Going the other way, from yards to tons, uses the cubic yards to tons calculator.
Why it matters when you order
Suppliers quote in tons, but your project needs a volume to fill. If you need 7 cubic yards of gravel and you order 7 tons, you will be short. At 1.4 tons per yard, 7 yards weighs 9.8 tons. Ordering by weight without converting is a common reason jobs run short.
Delivery trucks have limits as well. A truck can carry a legal weight, so a heavy material fills it by weight before it fills it by volume. Ask the supplier how much their truck carries.
For gravel specifically, the gravel calculator goes straight from area and depth to tons.
Checking the answer against a truck
A common tandem dump truck holds somewhere around 10 to 14 cubic yards, though sizes vary by hauler. If the tool says your job is 18.519 yd³ of sand, that is likely two loads. Ask the supplier whether they load by weight or by volume, and whether they scale the truck at the yard. Loading by weight is the norm for aggregates, which is why a ton figure shows up on the ticket.
Common mistakes
- Using a metric tonne in a short-ton formula.
- Using the wrong density for the material. Sand and crusher run differ.
- Ignoring moisture. Wet piles weigh more.
- Dividing density by tons. The order is tons divided by density.
- Treating the result as exact. Material settles and compacts after it is placed.
Related calculators
Use the cubic yards to tons calculator for the reverse conversion. The gravel calculator sizes gravel jobs from area and depth, and the cubic yard calculator finds volume when you do not need tons.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert tons to cubic yards?
Divide the tons by the material's density in tons per cubic yard. For 10 tons of gravel at 1.4 tons per cubic yard, that is 10 ÷ 1.4 = 7.143 cubic yards.
Why do I need a density?
A ton is a weight and a cubic yard is a volume. Heavy material takes less space per ton than light material, so the conversion depends on what the material is.
What density should I use?
Ask your supplier first. The calculator opens at 1.4 tons per cubic yard for gravel. Other common values on this site are 1.35 for sand and crushed stone, 1.1 for topsoil and fill dirt, and 1.5 for crusher run.
Is this a short ton or a metric ton?
The densities here are for short tons of 2,000 lb, the unit used by US suppliers. A metric tonne is about 2,205 lb, so convert it before you use this tool.
Does wet material change the answer?
Yes. Water adds weight without adding volume, so wet material has a higher density in tons per cubic yard. Use a figure that matches the condition of the delivered material.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.