Weight per cubic yard
These are typical weights for dry, loose material, the way it comes off a supplier's pile. A US ton is 2,000 lb. The last column is the figure our calculators start with; you can change it to your supplier's number on any calculator.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic yard | Cubic yards per ton | Our starting figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (pea gravel, general gravel) | 1.35 to 1.5 | 2,700 to 3,000 | 0.67 to 0.74 | 1.35 |
| Crushed stone, such as #57 | 1.3 to 1.5 | 2,600 to 3,000 | 0.67 to 0.77 | 1.5 |
| Crusher run or road base | 1.4 to 1.6 | 2,800 to 3,200 | 0.63 to 0.71 | 1.5 |
| River rock | 1.3 to 1.7 | 2,600 to 3,400 | 0.59 to 0.77 | 1.4 |
| Sand, dry | 1.3 to 1.4 | 2,600 to 2,800 | 0.71 to 0.77 | 1.35 |
| Sand, wet | 1.6 to 1.7 | 3,200 to 3,400 | 0.59 to 0.63 | |
| Topsoil, dry | 1.0 to 1.2 | 2,000 to 2,400 | 0.83 to 1.0 | 1.1 |
| Fill dirt | 1.1 to 1.5 | 2,200 to 3,000 | 0.67 to 0.91 | 1.1 |
| Raised bed or garden soil mix | 0.6 to 0.9 | 1,200 to 1,800 | 1.1 to 1.7 | 0.75 |
| Wood mulch | 0.2 to 0.4 | 400 to 800 | 2.5 to 5 | 0.3 |
Ranges come from supplier and industry figures, which differ by a few percent. Water, clay content, stone size and how tightly the material is packed all change the weight.
Why the same yard can weigh more or less
- Water. Wet sand and soil can weigh 25% more than dry. After rain, a supplier's scale will show it.
- Fines. Crusher run has stone dust mixed in, which fills the gaps, so it is heavier than clean stone of the same size.
- Packing. Compacted gravel weighs more per yard than loose gravel. Material settles in the truck and again once you rake and tamp it.
- Rock type. Granite, limestone and trap rock are not equally dense, so stone from different quarries weighs a little differently.
How to turn tons into yards, and back
- Work out the volume of your job in cubic yards: length × width × depth in feet, divided by 27.
- Multiply by the weight per yard to get tons. 4 yards of gravel × 1.35 = 5.4 tons.
- Going the other way, divide tons by the weight per yard. 5 tons of gravel ÷ 1.35 = 3.7 yards.
- Add 5 to 10% for settling and uneven ground, and round up to what the supplier sells.
The cubic yard calculator and gravel calculator do these steps for you and show tons, yards and bags together.
Will it fit in my truck?
Usually the weight limit is the problem, not the space. One yard of gravel is roughly 2,700 lb, and many half-ton pickups can safely carry somewhere around 1,500 to 2,000 lb. Mulch is the opposite: a yard weighs only a few hundred pounds, so space runs out first.
Before you drive to the yard, check the payload on the sticker inside the driver's door, and for a trailer, the rating on its plate. Overloading strains brakes and tires. If your job needs more than one trip, delivery is often cheaper than it sounds.
Common questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
About 1.35 to 1.5 tons, or 2,700 to 3,000 lb, when dry and loose. Wet or compacted gravel is heavier.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
Roughly 0.7 to 0.75 cubic yards. Divide 1 by the weight per yard: 1 ÷ 1.35 = 0.74 yards.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1.1 tons, or 2,200 lb, when dry. Wet topsoil can weigh 1.5 tons or more.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
About 1.35 tons dry. Wet sand can reach 1.7 tons, because water fills the gaps between grains.
Can my pickup carry a yard of gravel?
Often not in one trip. A yard of gravel is around 2,700 lb, and many pickups carry 1,500 to 2,000 lb. Check the payload on the sticker inside the driver's door.
Calculators for this job
- Gravel calculator
- Crushed stone calculator
- River rock calculator
- Sand calculator
- Topsoil calculator
- Dirt calculator
- Mulch calculator
- Cubic yard calculator