Cubic yards to tons converter
One supplier prices by the ton, the next by the yard. Enter an amount and the density they give you, and see it in every unit.
The formula
US tons = cubic yards × density (lb/ft³) × 27 ÷ 2,000Cubic yards = US tons × 2,000 ÷ (density × 27)Metric tonnes = cubic metres × density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000
Tons per cubic yard at different densities
| Density (lb/ft³) | Same in kg/m³ | US tons per cubic yard | Cubic yards per US ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 1,281 | 1.08 | 0.93 |
| 90 | 1,442 | 1.22 | 0.82 |
| 100 | 1,602 | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| 110 | 1,762 | 1.49 | 0.67 |
| 120 | 1,922 | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| 130 | 2,082 | 1.76 | 0.57 |
| 140 | 2,243 | 1.89 | 0.53 |
| 150 | 2,403 | 2.03 | 0.49 |
Why the same yard of gravel weighs different amounts
Density depends on the rock, the size and shape of the stones, how much fine material is mixed in, and how wet the pile is. Stone that has been rained on weighs more than the same stone dry, and a compacted base weighs more per yard than the loose stone in the truck.
Where to get the density
Ask the quarry or landscape yard for the weight per cubic yard of the exact product; most have it on a spec sheet. Divide pounds per cubic yard by 27 to get lb/ft³.
Or weigh it yourself. A 5 gallon bucket holds 0.668 cubic feet. Fill it level with the stone, weigh it, take off the weight of the empty bucket, and divide by 0.668. A bucket of stone that weighs 67 lb is about 100 lb/ft³.
Common questions
Is a yard of gravel a ton?
Not quite. Most gravel weighs more than a ton per cubic yard, often somewhere around 1.3 to 1.5 US tons, but the exact figure depends on the stone. Use the supplier's density to be sure.
How many yards are in 10 tons of gravel?
Divide 10 × 2,000 by the density × 27. At 100 lb/ft³ that is 20,000 ÷ 2,700 = 7.41 cubic yards.
What is the difference between a US ton and a metric tonne?
A US (short) ton is 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms, about 2,205 pounds, so a tonne is roughly 10 percent heavier.