Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion Chart for Gravel, Sand and Soil
Bulk material is sold by the ton or by the cubic yard, and the link between them is the weight of a yard, which changes with the material. A cubic yard of 3/4 inch crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons, so 10 cubic yards is 14.0 tons. Use the chart for other materials, and the cubic yards to tons calculator for your amounts.
Tons per cubic yard of common materials
Typical figures for loose material, in US tons of 2,000 pounds. Ask your supplier, since moisture and compaction change them:
| Material | Tons per yd³ | Pounds per yd³ | Cubic yards per ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone or gravel (3/4 in) | 1.4 | 2,800 | 0.71 |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | 2,700 | 0.74 |
| Road base or crushed gravel mix | 1.5 | 3,000 | 0.67 |
| River rock or decorative stone | 1.3 | 2,600 | 0.77 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.35 | 2,700 | 0.74 |
| Topsoil | 1.1 | 2,200 | 0.91 |
| Fill dirt | 1.25 | 2,500 | 0.80 |
| Compost | 0.6 | 1,200 | 1.67 |
| Wood mulch | 0.35 | 700 | 2.86 |
| Concrete (150 lb per ft³) | 2.025 | 4,050 | 0.49 |
| Asphalt (145 lb per ft³) | 1.96 | 3,920 | 0.51 |
How to convert
- Yards to tons: cubic yards × tons per yard. 10 yd³ of crushed stone is 10 × 1.4 = 14.0 tons.
- Tons to yards: tons ÷ tons per yard. 14 tons of crushed stone is 14 ÷ 1.4 = 10.0 yd³.
- Cubic feet to yards: divide by 27.
- Metric: multiply US tons by 0.907 for metric tonnes, and cubic yards by 0.765 for cubic meters.
Why the numbers vary
- Moisture. Wet sand and soil can weigh 20 to 30% more than dry.
- Compaction. Loose stone settles when it is laid and compacted, so you need about 15 to 20% more than the finished volume.
- Grading. Fine material packs tighter than coarse, so a yard of fines weighs more.
- Rock type. Granite, limestone and lava rock differ a lot in density.
Which to buy by: ton or yard?
Quarries usually sell stone, sand and gravel by the ton from a scale, and landscape suppliers sell mulch, soil and compost by the cubic yard. To compare prices, convert both to the same unit with the figures above. For how much you need in the first place, see the gravel tons per cubic yard guide and the gravel calculator. Estimates only.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons for 3/4 inch crushed stone, so 10 cubic yards weigh 14.0 tons. Pea gravel is about 1.35, road base about 1.5 and river rock about 1.3.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards of crushed stone. A load of 14 tons is 10.0 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1.1 tons (2,200 pounds), more when it is wet. Ten cubic yards weigh 11.0 tons.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply the cubic yards by the tons per cubic yard of the material. Divide tons by that figure to go the other way.
How much does a dump truck carry?
A tandem dump truck usually carries 10 to 15 tons, which is about 7 to 11 cubic yards of crushed stone, or 10 to 14 yards of lighter soil or mulch, which is limited by the volume of the body. Check the truck's limits.
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.