How to convert cubic yards to tons
Yards measure volume and tons measure weight, so the bridge is always a density — and the density belongs to the material, not the math:
yards = tons ÷ lb/yd³ × 2,000 · the reverse trip
Worked example: 3 cubic yards of gravel in tons
3 yd³ of crushed gravel at 2,800 lb per yard is 8,400 lb — 4.2 tons (3.81 metric tonnes). Going the other way, one ton of the same stone is 0.71 yd³. Swap the material to mulch and the same three yards weigh just 1.2 tons.
How many tons per cubic yard by material?
| Material | lb/yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 4,050 | 2.03 | 0.49 |
| Asphalt (compacted) | 3,915 | 1.96 | 0.51 |
| Crushed stone / gravel | 2,800 | 1.4 | 0.71 |
| Limestone / sand / river rock | 2,700 | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Fill dirt | 2,200 | 1.1 | 0.91 |
| Topsoil | 2,000 | 1 | 1 |
| Mulch | 800 | 0.4 | 2.5 |
Cubic yards to tons FAQ
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
Between 0.4 and 2 depending on the material: crushed gravel is about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, sand and limestone 1.35, topsoil 1, mulch only 0.4 — while concrete tips 2.03. There is no single yards-to-tons number; pick the material and the converter applies its density.
How many yards in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards — a short ton of crushed stone at 2,800 lb per cubic yard. Put differently, one full yard of gravel weighs 1.4 tons, so a ton is a bit over two-thirds of a yard.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply the cubic yards by the material’s pounds per cubic yard, then divide by 2,000: 3 yd³ of gravel × 2,800 lb = 8,400 lb = 4.2 tons. Going the other way, tons ÷ density × 2,000 = yards.
What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?
A US short ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lb) — about 10% heavier. Suppliers in the US sell short tons; spec sheets sometimes quote tonnes, so the converter shows both (4.2 tons = 3.81 tonnes for the default load).
Is a yard of sand heavier than a yard of gravel?
Slightly lighter dry — about 2,700 lb versus 2,800 for crushed gravel — but damp sand drinks water and can pass it. That swing is why densities here are estimating averages and the quarry scale has the final word.
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