Home › Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
A cubic yard is a measure of volume and a ton is a measure of weight, so the conversion depends on the material. Choose what you are buying, enter the amount, and get the weight in US tons, pounds and metric tonnes. It also works the other way, from tons to cubic yards.
Results are estimates. Soil, stone and mulch settle, weigh differently and vary by supplier. Confirm quantities and local requirements before ordering.
How to calculate it
There is no single conversion, because a cubic yard of mulch weighs far less than a cubic yard of gravel. Multiply the volume in cubic yards by the material's density in tons per cubic yard.
Formula: tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard. To go the other way, cubic yards = tons ÷ tons per cubic yard.
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. If you know the density in pounds per cubic foot, multiply by 27 and divide by 2,000 to get tons per cubic yard. The figures below are typical values for loose material. Moisture, compaction and particle size change them, so use your supplier's number if you have it and pick "custom".
Worked example
Converting 10 cubic yards of crushed stone to tons:
| Cubic yards | 10 yd³ 270 cubic feet |
|---|---|
| US tons (2,000 lb) | 14 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard |
| Pounds | 28,000 lb |
| Metric tonnes | 12.7 t |
| Cubic meters | 7.65 m³ |
Typical weights (US short tons per cubic yard)
| Material | Approx. tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Crushed stone / road base | 1.4 |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 |
| #57 stone | 1.3 |
| Dry sand | 1.3 |
| Wet sand | 1.5 |
| Topsoil (loose) | 1.1 |
| Fill dirt | 1.3 |
| Compost | 0.5 |
| Wood mulch | 0.3 |
| Cured concrete | 2.0 |
Tips
- Quarries and landscape suppliers usually sell stone and sand by the ton and soil and mulch by the cubic yard. Ask which one the price is based on.
- Wet material is heavier. A cubic yard of rain-soaked sand or soil can weigh noticeably more than the dry figure.
- Check the payload of your truck or trailer before hauling it yourself. A single cubic yard of gravel is around 1.4 tons.
- US tons are 2,000 lb. Metric tonnes are 1,000 kg, about 10% heavier, so make sure a quote uses the unit you expect.
Frequently asked questions
Is one cubic yard equal to one ton?
No. Only a few materials come close. Gravel and crushed stone are about 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard, while mulch is far lighter, often under half a ton.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 US tons for most crushed stone and gravel. 10 cubic yards is roughly 14 tons.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.7 cubic yards (1 ÷ 1.4). A 10-ton delivery of crushed stone is about 7 cubic yards.
How many tons is a cubic yard of dirt?
Roughly 1.0–1.4 tons depending on moisture and type. Fill dirt is often around 1.3 tons per cubic yard and loose topsoil nearer 1.1.