Why There's No Single Conversion Number
Cubic yards measure volume. Tons measure weight. You can't convert between the two without knowing one critical piece of information: how heavy the material is per unit of volume (its density).
A cubic yard of feathers weighs almost nothing. A cubic yard of concrete weighs over 2 tons. Same volume, wildly different weight.
So every time someone asks "how many tons in a cubic yard?" — the real answer is always: it depends on the material.
There's no universal cubic-yards-to-tons number. You need the material's density (tons per cubic yard) to convert. The table below gives you the density for every common material.
Material Density Table
This is the reference table you'll use for every conversion. Densities are approximate — they vary by moisture content, compaction, and exact composition. These numbers represent typical dry-to-slightly-moist conditions.
| Material | Lbs per Cubic Yard | Tons per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch (wood chips) | 400 – 800 | 0.20 – 0.40 |
| Compost | 1,000 – 1,600 | 0.50 – 0.80 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 1,800 – 2,200 | 0.90 – 1.10 |
| Fill dirt | 2,000 – 2,600 | 1.00 – 1.30 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,600 – 2,900 | 1.30 – 1.45 |
| Sand (wet) | 3,000 – 3,400 | 1.50 – 1.70 |
| Pea gravel | 2,600 – 2,800 | 1.30 – 1.40 |
| Crushed stone | 2,700 – 3,000 | 1.35 – 1.50 |
| River rock | 2,400 – 2,900 | 1.20 – 1.45 |
| Base rock / road base | 3,000 – 3,400 | 1.50 – 1.70 |
| Crushed concrete | 2,500 – 2,800 | 1.25 – 1.40 |
| Asphalt (hot mix) | 3,600 – 4,000 | 1.80 – 2.00 |
| Concrete | 3,900 – 4,100 | 1.95 – 2.05 |
Moisture adds significant weight. Wet sand can weigh 25-30% more than dry sand. If your material has been rained on or stored outdoors, lean toward the higher density number.
The Conversion Formula
Once you know the density, the math is simple:
Example: 5 cubic yards of crushed stone
Crushed stone weighs about 1.40 tons per cubic yard.
5 × 1.40 = 7.0 tons
Example: 3 cubic yards of topsoil
Topsoil weighs about 1.0 ton per cubic yard.
3 × 1.0 = 3.0 tons
Example: 10 cubic yards of fill dirt
Fill dirt weighs about 1.15 tons per cubic yard.
10 × 1.15 = 11.5 tons
Convert Instantly
Select your material, enter cubic yards, and get an accurate tonnage estimate.
Open Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator →Reverse: Tons to Cubic Yards
Sometimes suppliers quote in tons and you need to know the volume — for example, to figure out if it'll fit in your truck or how deep it'll spread.
Example: 10 tons of pea gravel
Pea gravel: ~1.35 tons per cubic yard.
10 ÷ 1.35 = 7.41 cubic yards
Example: 20 tons of crushed stone
Crushed stone: ~1.40 tons per cubic yard.
20 ÷ 1.40 = 14.29 cubic yards
Example: 5 tons of topsoil
Topsoil: ~1.0 ton per cubic yard.
5 ÷ 1.0 = 5.0 cubic yards
Common Questions Answered
How many tons in a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the gravel type. Pea gravel runs about 1.30-1.40 tons per yard. Crushed stone is closer to 1.35-1.50 tons. Base rock can hit 1.50-1.70 tons because it compacts more densely.
How many tons in a cubic yard of dirt?
Clean fill dirt averages about 1.0-1.30 tons per cubic yard. Topsoil is on the lighter end (0.90-1.10 tons) because it has more organic matter.
How many tons in a cubic yard of sand?
Dry sand: 1.30-1.45 tons per yard. Wet sand: 1.50-1.70 tons. Sand is heavier than most people expect.
How many tons in a cubic yard of concrete?
Roughly 2.0 tons (about 4,000 lbs). Concrete is one of the heaviest common materials.
A standard pickup truck can safely haul about 1 ton (2,000 lbs) in the bed. A cubic yard of gravel weighs 1.3-1.5 tons — that's already over the limit for most pickups. For anything heavier than mulch, get it delivered.
How to Use This When Ordering
Here's a common scenario: you calculated that you need 5 cubic yards of gravel, but the supplier quotes in tons. What do you tell them?
- Look up gravel density: ~1.40 tons per cubic yard
- Multiply: 5 × 1.40 = 7.0 tons
- Add 10% overage: 7.7 tons
- Tell the supplier: "I need about 8 tons of crushed gravel"
Flip it around: if the supplier says "a truckload is 22 tons," you can figure out the volume: 22 ÷ 1.40 = 15.7 cubic yards. That's enough to cover a big driveway.
Different quarries produce slightly different stone densities. If your supplier provides a specific weight-per-yard number, use that instead of the general table. It'll be more accurate for your actual delivery.
Get an Exact Number
Free Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Pick your material, enter the cubic yards, and get an instant tonnage estimate.
Convert Cubic Yards to Tons →Related Guides
- How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need? — Master volume guide for all materials
- Square Feet to Cubic Yards — Convert area + depth to volume
- Asphalt Square Yards to Tons — Specialized asphalt conversion
- Cubic Yard of Gravel: Weight and Coverage — Gravel-specific guide
- How Many Cubic Feet in a Cubic Yard? — The 27-cubic-feet breakdown
- Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator — Instant conversion tool