Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Suppliers sell by the ton or the yard. Convert between them for the exact material you are buying, with typical weights for gravel, stone, sand, soil, mulch and concrete.
Tons = cubic yards × density; cubic yards = tons ÷ density. Gravel and crushed stone weigh about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so 10 tons of #57 stone is about 7.1 cubic yards. Topsoil is about 1.1 tons per yard and wood mulch about 0.3.
Conversion chart
| Material | 1 cu yd = | 1 ton = | 10 tons = |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 stone (1–2 in) | 1.4 tons | 0.71 cu yd | 7.1 cu yd |
| #57 crushed stone (¾–1 in) | 1.4 tons | 0.71 cu yd | 7.1 cu yd |
| Pea gravel (⅜ in) | 1.4 tons | 0.71 cu yd | 7.1 cu yd |
| Crusher run / #411 (with fines) | 1.5 tons | 0.67 cu yd | 6.7 cu yd |
| River rock (1–3 in) | 1.35 tons | 0.74 cu yd | 7.4 cu yd |
| Sand | 1.35 tons | 0.74 cu yd | 7.4 cu yd |
| Topsoil (dry) | 1.1 tons | 0.91 cu yd | 9.1 cu yd |
| Fill dirt | 1.2 tons | 0.83 cu yd | 8.3 cu yd |
| Compost | 0.5 tons | 2.00 cu yd | 20.0 cu yd |
| Wood mulch | 0.3 tons | 3.33 cu yd | 33.3 cu yd |
| Concrete (wet) | 2 tons | 0.50 cu yd | 5.0 cu yd |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) for most gravel and crushed stone, and about 1.5 tons for crusher run with fines.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards. 10 tons of gravel is about 7 cubic yards.
How many cubic yards in a ton of topsoil?
About 0.9 cubic yards of dry topsoil per ton. Wet soil is heavier, so a ton covers less.
How many tons is a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.35 tons dry; wet sand can weigh 1.5 tons or more per yard.
Why do suppliers sell by the ton?
Their trucks are weighed on a scale, so tons are easier to measure than volume. Convert your volume to tons with the density for that material and order a little extra.
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Densities are typical dry figures used by landscape and aggregate suppliers; your supplier's scale tickets and density take priority.