CALCWOVEN • MATERIAL CONVERTER
Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert cubic yards to tons—or tons back to cubic yards—for gravel, sand, topsoil, mulch and concrete using material-specific planning densities.
CALCWOVEN CONVERTER
Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert cubic yards to tons, or tons back to cubic yards, for gravel, sand, topsoil, mulch and concrete. A cubic yard is a volume and a ton is a weight, so the answer depends on the material. Results update as you type.
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Amount
Material
These are planning weights for loose, as-delivered material, taken from our weight guides. Moisture, stone size and supplier change the real figure. To use a lb/ft³ density, multiply by 27 and divide by 2,000.
Answer
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A US ton is 2,000 lb. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg, about 2,204.6 lb.
Results update as you type.
Converting fill dirt specifically? The Fill Dirt Calculator starts from project area and depth, then estimates cubic yards, tons and truckloads with a compaction/extra allowance. Use this converter when you already know either cubic yards or tons and just need the material conversion.
HOW IT WORKS
How to convert cubic yards to tons
Multiply the volume in cubic yards by the material’s weight per cubic yard. Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard. To go the other way, divide: cubic yards = tons ÷ tons per cubic yard. There is no single conversion, because a cubic yard of mulch weighs a fraction of a cubic yard of concrete. For example, 10 cubic yards of gravel at 1.40 tons per cubic yard is 14 tons.
Planning weights by material
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic yard | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.40 | 2,800 | gravel weight |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.50 | 3,000 | gravel weight |
| Pea gravel or river rock | 1.35 | 2,700 | gravel weight |
| Sand, dry | 1.35 | 2,700 | sand weight |
| Sand, damp to wet | 1.60 | 3,200 | sand weight |
| Topsoil | 1.10 | 2,200 | topsoil weight |
| Mulch | 0.25 | 500 | mulch weight |
| Concrete | 2.00 | 4,000 | concrete weight |
These are the planning figures used across CalcWoven’s calculators and guides for loose, as-delivered material. Published figures vary, so use your supplier’s number when you have it, especially when ordering by the ton.
QUICK REFERENCE
Cubic yards to tons chart
| Cubic yards | Gravel | Dry sand | Topsoil | Mulch | Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.40 | 1.35 | 1.10 | 0.25 | 2.00 |
| 2 | 2.80 | 2.70 | 2.20 | 0.50 | 4.00 |
| 5 | 7.00 | 6.75 | 5.50 | 1.25 | 10.00 |
| 10 | 14.00 | 13.50 | 11.00 | 2.50 | 20.00 |
| 20 | 28.00 | 27.00 | 22.00 | 5.00 | 40.00 |
Tons to cubic yards chart
| US tons | Gravel | Dry sand | Topsoil | Mulch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.71 | 0.74 | 0.91 | 4.00 |
| 5 | 3.57 | 3.70 | 4.55 | 20.00 |
| 10 | 7.14 | 7.41 | 9.09 | 40.00 |
| 20 | 14.29 | 14.81 | 18.18 | 80.00 |
Values use the planning weights above. A US ton is 2,000 lb. If your supplier sells by the metric tonne, one US ton is about 0.907 metric tonnes.
QUICK ANSWERS
Common questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
It depends on the material: about 1.4 tons for gravel, 1.35 for dry sand, 1.1 for topsoil, 0.25 for mulch and 2 for concrete. Pick your material in the calculator for an instant answer.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards at 1.40 tons per cubic yard. Divide 1 by the density: 1 ÷ 1.40 = 0.71.
Is a ton of gravel the same as a yard?
No. A yard measures volume and a ton measures weight. Quarries often sell gravel by the ton and landscape yards by the yard, so check which one your quote uses and ask what weight per yard they assume.
Why does the weight of a yard change?
Stone size and shape, fines, moisture and compaction all change how much a cubic yard weighs. Wet sand is heavier than dry sand, and compacted gravel is heavier than loose gravel.
What is the difference between a US ton and a metric tonne?
A US ton is 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms, which is about 2,204.6 pounds. The calculator shows both.
How do I convert cubic feet or cubic meters?
Choose the unit in the calculator. It converts to cubic yards first (27 cubic feet or 0.7646 cubic meters per cubic yard), then to weight. See how to calculate cubic yards for the volume formulas.
How many cubic yards can a dump truck carry?
A tandem dump truck holds about 10 to 14 cubic yards, but heavy stone often reaches the weight limit first. See how many cubic yards in a dump truck.
MORE TOOLS
Need the volume first?
Use the Cubic Yards Calculator to work out how many cubic yards you need, or the Gravel, Sand, Topsoil, Mulch or Concrete calculator for one material with tons and cost. Planning a delivery? See how many cubic yards in a dump truck.
Weights are planning estimates and vary by moisture, stone size and supplier. The figures come from CalcWoven’s weight guides, which list their sources. Confirm the weight with your supplier before ordering by the ton or hauling a load.