How to convert tons to yards
Divide tons by the weight of one cubic yard: 10 tons of gravel is about 6.9 cubic yards.
cubic yards = tons ÷ weight of one cubic yard (in tons)
If a cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.35–1.55 tons, then 10 tons is 10 ÷ 1.45 ≈ 6.9 cubic yards at the middle of that range. Going the other way, multiply: 5 cubic yards × 1.45 ≈ 7.2 tons.
The calculator gives a range instead of one number because the weight per cubic yard is a range for every material. To size the job first, use the gravel, sand, topsoil or dirt calculators. Use the high end of the weight when you need to know what a truck or trailer will carry, and the low end of the weight (high end of the volume) when you want to be sure you have enough.
Cubic yards to tons
Multiply cubic yards by the weight of one cubic yard: 5 cubic yards of loose gravel is about 6.7–7.8 US tons.
| Material | 1 yd³ | 5 yd³ | 10 yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.35–1.55 | 6.7–7.8 | 13.5–15.5 |
| Sand, dry | 1.3–1.45 | 6.5–7.2 | 13–14.5 |
| Topsoil / loam, dry | 0.95–1.1 | 4.8–5.5 | 9.5–11 |
| Compost | 0.4–0.8 | 2–4 | 4–8 |
| Wood chip mulch | 0.12–0.24 | 0.6–1.2 | 1.2–2.4 |
The converter at the top works as a yards to tons calculator too: enter a volume instead of a weight and pick the material. Weights come from the table below.
Weight of a cubic yard, by material
From about 0.12 US tons for dry wood chips to 1.55 tons for wet gravel or sand.
| Material | lb per yd³ | US tons per yd³ | kg per m³ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 2,700–3,100 | 1.35–1.55 | 1,600–1,840 | [2][3] |
| Pea gravel | 2,700–3,100 | 1.35–1.55 | 1,600–1,840 | [2] |
| River rock | 2,700–3,100 | 1.35–1.55 | 1,600–1,840 | [2] |
| Paver base / road base | 2,490–3,240 | 1.25–1.62 | 1,480–1,920 | [3][4] |
| Sand, dry | 2,600–2,900 | 1.3–1.45 | 1,540–1,720 | [2][5] |
| Sand, wet | 2,800–3,100 | 1.4–1.55 | 1,660–1,840 | [2] |
| Topsoil / loam, dry | 1,900–2,200 | 0.95–1.1 | 1,130–1,310 | [2] |
| Compost | 800–1,600 | 0.4–0.8 | 480–950 | [6] |
| Wood chip mulch | 240–470 | 0.12–0.24 | 140–280 | [7] |
US tons, metric tonnes and long tons
A US (short) ton is 2,000 lb, or 907.18 kg. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg, about 2,205 lb, so it is about 10% heavier than a US ton. The British long ton, 2,240 lb, is rarely used for aggregates today.[1] If your supplier quotes "tons" outside the US, it almost always means tonnes.
| Unit | Pounds | Kilograms | In US tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| US ton (short ton) | 2,000 | 907.18 | 1 |
| Metric tonne | 2,204.6 | 1,000 | 1.102 |
| Long ton (UK) | 2,240 | 1,016.05 | 1.12 |
Why wet material weighs more
Water adds weight without adding volume.
Moisture changes the answerWet earth weighs about 900–1,000 lb more per cubic yard than dry earth,[2] and green wood chips about twice as much as dry ones.[7] A weighed load of wet material therefore contains fewer cubic yards than dry-weight figures suggest.
The cubic yard weight guide explains loose versus compacted weight and how much moisture can add, material by material.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
Roughly 0.64–0.74 cubic yards per US ton, depending on the stone and how it is graded.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.3–1.45 US tons for dry sand and 1.4–1.55 for damp sand.
How many tons is a yard of topsoil?
About 0.95–1.1 US tons, more when it is wet.
Is a tonne the same as a ton?
No. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb); a US ton is 2,000 lb (907.2 kg).
Sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C: General Tables of Units of Measurement
- FM 5-434 Earthmoving Operations, Tables 1-1 and 1-2 (material weights, swell and conversion factors)
- Conversion Factors for Construction Materials and Common Minerals (from BLM Handbook H-3890-1)
- Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA) Handbook
- QUIKRETE Mason Sand No. 1961-56 data sheet
- Interpreting Compost Analyses (EM 9217)
- Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors