Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator (yd³ × density → US tons, tonnes)

Understanding the cubic yards to tons calculator — concept and principle

This calculator turns a volume of bulk material, such as gravel, topsoil, sand, mulch or concrete, into weight. You enter the volume and the material's bulk density, and it gives the weight in US short tons, metric tonnes, long tons, pounds and kilograms, plus the volume and density in other units. Landscapers, contractors and homeowners ordering materials use it.

Volume × density = weight — with the default inputs: 13.5 short tons.

How it is calculated

Weight = volume × bulk density
Volume to m³: 1 yd³ = 0.764554857984 m³; 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³
Density to kg/m³: 1 lb/yd³ = 0.593276 kg/m³; 1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³; 1 t/m³ = 1,000 kg/m³
US short ton = 2,000 lb = 907.18474 kg; metric tonne = 1,000 kg; long ton = 2,240 lb = 1,016.047 kg

The principle

Cubic yards measure space; tons measure mass. You cannot turn one into the other without the material's density, the mass per unit volume. Bulk density matters because loose materials contain air gaps: loose topsoil, crushed stone and wet sand all weigh differently, and the same material weighs more when wet or compacted. The conversion factors come from the exact definitions 1 yd = 0.9144 m and 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.

Worked example

Defaults: 10 yd³ at 2,700 lb/yd³.

Weight = 10 × 2,700 = 27,000 lb.
US short tons = 27,000 ÷ 2,000 = 13.5.
Kilograms = 27,000 × 0.45359237 = 12,247; metric tonnes = 12.25; long tons = 12.05.
Volume = 10 × 0.764555 = 7.646 m³; density = 1.602 t/m³ (2,700 lb/yd³).

Volume in yd³: 10.

Each point is the calculator re-run with only “Volume” changed; the gold point is the default example. Change the inputs above and this chart follows your numbers.

Volume	Weight (US short tons)
2.5	3.37
5	6.75
7.5	10.13
10	13.5
12.5	16.88
15	20.25
20	27

How to read the result

Use the weight to check truck capacity and delivery charges: a small dump truck may carry far less than 13.5 tons. Suppliers often sell by the ton but quote coverage by volume, so convert both ways. Order a little extra for compaction and waste.

Common mistakes

Using a generic density instead of the supplier's figure.
Mixing short tons and metric tonnes; a US ton is about 9% lighter than a tonne.
Forgetting that wet material is heavier.
Measuring volume after compaction when the density is for loose material.

Keep in mind: Bulk densities vary with moisture, grading and compaction. Use the supplier's figure, and check vehicle and structural load limits with a qualified person.

Frequently asked questions

How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?

It depends on the gravel; at 2,700 lb/yd³ it is 1.35 US tons. Ask your supplier for the exact density.

What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?

A US short ton is 2,000 lb (907.18 kg); a metric tonne is 1,000 kg.

Why does wet sand weigh more?

Water fills the gaps between grains and adds its own weight.

Sources: NIST Special Publication 811 (2008 ed.), Appendix B.9 (cubic yard, cubic foot, pound, short and long ton)

Checked 9 Nov 2026. NIST Special Publication 811 (2008 ed.), Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), Appendix B.9 “Factors for units listed by kind of quantity or field of science” — cubic yard, cubic foot, pound (avoirdupois), ton (short) = 9.071 847 E+02 kg and ton (long) = 1.016 047 E+03 kg; exact values from 1 yd = 0.9144 m and 1 lb = 0.453 592 37 kg.

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