Why You Need Density to Convert
Cubic feet measure volume. Tons measure weight. Converting between the two requires one additional piece of information: the material's density (weight per cubic foot).
A cubic foot of mulch weighs about 15–30 lbs. A cubic foot of concrete weighs about 150 lbs. Same volume — 10× difference in weight. There is no universal cubic-feet-to-tons number.
Cubic feet × density (lbs per cubic foot) ÷ 2,000 = tons. You must know the material's density to convert. The table below provides densities for every common construction and landscaping material.
The Conversion Formula
Two-step formula:
The number 2,000 converts pounds to short tons (the standard ton used in the United States). For metric tons, divide by 2,205 instead.
Example: 100 cubic feet of crushed stone
Crushed stone: ~100 lbs per cubic foot
100 × 100 = 10,000 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 5.0 tons
Example: 50 cubic feet of topsoil
Topsoil: ~75 lbs per cubic foot
50 × 75 = 3,750 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 1.875 tons
Example: 200 cubic feet of dry sand
Dry sand: ~100 lbs per cubic foot
200 × 100 = 20,000 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 10.0 tons
Material Density Table (Lbs per Cubic Foot)
Reference table for converting cubic feet to tons. Densities are approximate and vary by moisture content, compaction, and composition.
| Material | Lbs per Cubic Foot | Tons per 27 ft³ (1 Cubic Yard) |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch (wood chips) | 15 – 30 | 0.20 – 0.40 |
| Compost | 37 – 59 | 0.50 – 0.80 |
| Bark mulch | 15 – 25 | 0.20 – 0.34 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 67 – 81 | 0.90 – 1.10 |
| Topsoil (wet) | 89 – 104 | 1.20 – 1.40 |
| Fill dirt | 74 – 96 | 1.00 – 1.30 |
| Sand (dry) | 96 – 107 | 1.30 – 1.45 |
| Sand (wet) | 111 – 126 | 1.50 – 1.70 |
| Pea gravel | 96 – 104 | 1.30 – 1.40 |
| Crushed stone | 100 – 111 | 1.35 – 1.50 |
| River rock | 89 – 107 | 1.20 – 1.45 |
| Base rock / road base | 111 – 126 | 1.50 – 1.70 |
| Crushed concrete | 93 – 104 | 1.25 – 1.40 |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | 133 – 148 | 1.80 – 2.00 |
| Concrete | 144 – 152 | 1.95 – 2.05 |
| Limestone | 150 – 175 | 2.03 – 2.36 |
To find tons per cubic foot (instead of per cubic yard), divide the "Tons per 27 ft³" column by 27. Example: Crushed stone at 1.40 tons per cubic yard = 0.0519 tons per cubic foot.
Quick Reference: Cubic Feet to Tons
Pre-calculated conversions for the 4 most commonly ordered materials:
| Cubic Feet | Gravel (tons) | Sand (tons) | Topsoil (tons) | Concrete (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.37 | 0.74 |
| 27 (1 yd³) | 1.40 | 1.35 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| 50 | 2.59 | 2.50 | 1.85 | 3.70 |
| 100 | 5.19 | 5.00 | 3.70 | 7.40 |
| 200 | 10.37 | 10.00 | 7.41 | 14.80 |
| 270 (10 yd³) | 14.00 | 13.50 | 10.00 | 20.00 |
| 500 | 25.93 | 25.00 | 18.52 | 37.00 |
| 540 (20 yd³) | 28.00 | 27.00 | 20.00 | 40.00 |
Convert Instantly
Select your material, enter cubic feet, and get an accurate tonnage estimate.
Open Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator →Reverse: Tons to Cubic Feet
If a supplier quotes in tons and you need to know the volume:
Example: 5 tons of crushed stone
5 × 2,000 = 10,000 lbs ÷ 100 = 100 cubic feet (3.70 cubic yards)
Example: 3 tons of topsoil
3 × 2,000 = 6,000 lbs ÷ 75 = 80 cubic feet (2.96 cubic yards)
Example: 10 tons of dry sand
10 × 2,000 = 20,000 lbs ÷ 100 = 200 cubic feet (7.41 cubic yards)
Cubic Feet vs. Cubic Yards: Which to Use?
Most material suppliers sell in cubic yards, not cubic feet. The relationship is straightforward:
If you measured your project area in cubic feet, divide by 27 to get cubic yards before calling a supplier. If you have a small project under 27 cubic feet, buying bagged material (sold by the cubic foot) is more practical than ordering bulk delivery.
A standard pickup truck handles about 2,000 lbs (1 ton) safely. That's roughly 20 cubic feet of gravel or 27 cubic feet of topsoil. For anything larger, arrange delivery from the supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons is 1 cubic foot?
It depends on the material. One cubic foot of gravel weighs approximately 0.052 tons (104 lbs). One cubic foot of sand weighs approximately 0.050 tons (100 lbs). One cubic foot of concrete weighs approximately 0.074 tons (148 lbs).
How do I convert cubic feet to tons of gravel?
Multiply cubic feet by 104 (lbs per cubic foot for crushed gravel), then divide by 2,000. Example: 50 cubic feet × 104 = 5,200 lbs ÷ 2,000 = 2.6 tons.
How many cubic feet in a ton of sand?
Approximately 20 cubic feet (dry sand at 100 lbs per cubic foot). 2,000 lbs ÷ 100 lbs/ft³ = 20 ft³.
How many cubic feet in a ton of topsoil?
Approximately 27 cubic feet (1 cubic yard). Dry topsoil weighs about 75 lbs per cubic foot. 2,000 ÷ 75 = 26.7 ft³.
Is the formula different for metric tons?
The formula is the same, but divide by 2,205 instead of 2,000 to get metric tons. A metric ton equals 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg).
Free Conversion Calculator
Pick your material, enter the volume in cubic feet or cubic yards, and get an instant tonnage estimate.
Convert Cubic Feet to Tons →Related Guides
- Cubic Yards to Tons — The full cubic-yards-to-tons conversion guide
- How Many Cubic Feet in a Cubic Yard? — The 27-cubic-feet breakdown
- Square Feet to Cubic Yards — Area-to-volume conversion explained
- How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need? — Master volume guide for all materials
- Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator — Instant conversion tool
- Cubic Feet Calculator — Calculate volume in cubic feet