Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator

How the conversion works

Volume alone does not tell you how much a material weighs. The conversion requires the material density, which is the weight per unit of volume. Multiply the cubic yardage by the density in tons per cubic yard to get the total weight.

Different materials have very different densities. A cubic yard of gravel weighs roughly 1.4 tons, while a cubic yard of topsoil is closer to 1.1 tons. Using the wrong density can lead to significant ordering errors.

Common material densities

Gravel typically weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on moisture and composition. Sand ranges from 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard. Topsoil is usually 1.0 to 1.3 tons per cubic yard. Crushed stone and limestone fall between 1.3 and 1.5 tons per cubic yard. Always confirm the actual density with your supplier.