Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator — Gravel, Sand, Soil 2026

The Formula — How to Convert Cubic Yards to Tons

Converting cubic yards to tons requires one additional piece of information beyond the volume — the material density. This is because cubic yards measure how much space a material takes up, while tons measure how much it weighs. The same volume of different materials weighs completely different amounts.

Worked example — 5 cubic yards of crushed stone: 5 yd³ × 1.4 t/yd³ = 7.0 short tons = 14,000 pounds = 6.35 metric tonnes.

Reverse example — 10 short tons of pea gravel to cubic yards: 10 ÷ 1.35 = 7.41 cubic yards.

Worked example — 3 cubic yards of mulch: 3 yd³ × 0.4 t/yd³ = 1.2 short tons = 2,400 pounds. This illustrates why mulch is always ordered by the cubic yard — ordering by weight would require very small and impractical ton quantities for typical residential projects.

Density Table — All 20 Materials

These density values are standard planning estimates used across the US landscaping and construction industry. Actual delivered weight varies by moisture content, stone grade, and supplier source. Always confirm the actual density with your specific supplier for large orders.

Pre-Calculated Conversions — Common Quantities

These figures use crushed stone #57 at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. For other materials multiply the cubic yards by the density from the table above.

Short Ton vs Metric Tonne — Which Does Your Supplier Use?

Two different units are both called "ton" and the difference matters on large orders.

The difference between a short ton and a metric tonne is approximately 10 percent. If you are comparing a quote in short tons from one supplier against a quote in metric tonnes from another, the metric tonne price will appear higher per unit — but more actual material is being delivered per unit. Always ask which ton unit is being used when comparing supplier quotes.

In the US, 99 percent of residential and commercial landscaping suppliers quote in short tons. The calculator above uses short tons as the primary output and shows metric tonnes alongside it so you can match either unit.

Why Density Is Required — Not Optional

There is no single "cubic yards to tons" conversion factor that works across all materials. This is a fact of physics. Consider:

One cubic yard of straw and one cubic yard of concrete occupy exactly the same space. But the concrete weighs over 13 times more. Anyone using a single conversion factor — such as "multiply by 1.4" — for all materials will significantly over-order mulch and under-order concrete. The calculator above uses the correct density for each specific material selected.

Gravel Conversions in Detail

Gravel is the most frequently searched material for this conversion. Suppliers quote gravel in tons; project plans use cubic yards. Knowing the conversion prevents under-ordering on large driveway and drainage projects.

The cubic yards to tons gravel conversion depends on which type of gravel you are ordering. Pea gravel at 1.35 tons per cubic yard is slightly lighter than standard crushed stone at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. River rock at 1.5 tons per cubic yard is the heaviest common landscape gravel. Crusher run and road base at 1.45 tons per cubic yard are the densest crushed stone products because they include stone dust that fills the void spaces between larger particles.

For a standard two-car driveway requiring 10 cubic yards of crushed stone: 10 × 1.4 = 14 short tons. A tandem-axle dump truck holds 14 to 18 tons — one full load. For pea gravel: 10 × 1.35 = 13.5 short tons — still one tandem load. See the gravel calculator for full project calculations including driveway dimensions and depth.

Sand Conversions in Detail

Sand density varies significantly with moisture content. Dry sand weighs approximately 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Wet sand — the condition it arrives in from most suppliers — weighs 1.6 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard. The moisture adds up to 25 percent additional weight for the same volume.

For ordering purposes, always use the wet density as the conservative estimate. Using dry density and receiving wet sand means more weight per cubic yard than calculated — which affects truck load planning. A tandem truck rated at 14 tons can carry approximately 10.4 cubic yards of dry sand but only 8.5 cubic yards of wet sand.

Topsoil Conversions in Detail

Topsoil density varies more than any other common material — from 1.0 tons per cubic yard for very loose, dry screened topsoil to 1.4 tons per cubic yard for wet clay-heavy topsoil. Most residential landscape suppliers use 1.1 to 1.2 tons per cubic yard as the planning figure for mixed topsoil.

Topsoil is usually ordered by the cubic yard rather than by the ton because coverage area is what matters for lawn establishment and garden beds. If your supplier quotes by the ton, divide the quoted weight by the density to get cubic yards and verify it matches the volume you need.

Mulch Conversions in Detail

Wood mulch and bark mulch are dramatically lighter than aggregate materials. Shredded bark mulch weighs approximately 0.4 tons per cubic yard — less than one-third the weight of topsoil and less than one-quarter the weight of gravel. This is why mulch is ordered and priced by the cubic yard in the US, not by the ton. A per-ton price for mulch would be extremely high compared to gravel on paper, but the actual coverage per cubic yard is what matters for landscape projects.

Use the mulch calculator for full mulch quantity calculations including coverage by area and depth.

Related Calculators