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How to Convert Cubic Yards to Tons
Quick answer: To convert cubic yards to tons, multiply the cubic yards by the material's density: about 1.4 for gravel, 1.1 for topsoil, 1.35 for sand, and 2.0 for asphalt.
Cubic yards measure volume; tons measure weight. To convert between them you need one extra fact — the material's density. This guide gives the densities for common landscaping materials plus the simple formula.
The conversion formula
Because a cubic yard of gravel weighs far more than a cubic yard of mulch, there is no single number — you multiply by the material's density:
Material density chart
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Approx. lb per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | ~1.40 | ~2,800 |
| Sand (dry) | ~1.35 | ~2,700 |
| Sand (wet) | ~1.55 | ~3,100 |
| Topsoil (dry) | ~1.10 | ~2,200 |
| Fill dirt | ~1.25 | ~2,500 |
| Wood mulch | ~0.50 | ~1,000 |
| Compost | ~0.55 | ~1,100 |
Densities are approximate and rise with moisture. Confirm with your supplier for a precise order.
Worked examples
- 5 cu yd of gravel: 5 × 1.40 = 7 tons
- 3 cu yd of topsoil: 3 × 1.10 = 3.3 tons
- 4 cu yd of mulch: 4 × 0.50 = 2 tons
Go the other way (tons to yards)
To convert tons back to cubic yards, divide by the density: 7 tons of gravel ÷ 1.40 = 5 cubic yards.
Do it automatically
Cubic Yard & Tonnage Calculator →
Why suppliers quote in different units
The unit on a quote is rarely arbitrary — it tells you how the material is handled. Quarried products (crushed stone, crusher run, sand, riprap) are quoted in tons because they cross a certified truck scale on the way out, and the scale ticket is the legal record of what you bought. Organic and screened products (mulch, compost, screened topsoil) are quoted in cubic yards because their weight swings wildly with moisture — the same bucket of bark can vary 40% between a dry August week and the day after heavy rain, and no supplier wants that argument.
This is also why you should be sceptical of a yard-to-ton conversion applied to a wet material. If it rained the night before your topsoil was loaded, the tonnage you receive represents less soil than the same tonnage would have delivered dry. When it matters, order that material by volume.
Where the conversion goes wrong
- Using a "typical" density for a specific product. Crushed limestone and crushed granite differ by roughly 8%. Over a 20-ton driveway order that is a ton and a half.
- Forgetting moisture. Published densities are usually for dry material. Wet sand and wet fill can run 10–20% heavier per yard, which means fewer yards per ton than you planned.
- Ignoring compaction. Delivered loose volume is not installed volume. Compactable base material loses roughly 20–25% of its loose depth once it is run over with a plate compactor.
- Rounding at the wrong end. Round up at the final step, not at each intermediate step, or the error compounds.
A quick sanity check before you order
Two figures worth memorising, because they catch most order-sized mistakes on the spot:
- One cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep. If your calculated yardage does not roughly match your area divided by 100, re-check the depth.
- Most aggregates land near 1.4 tons per cubic yard. If a conversion hands you something far outside 1.0–1.7 for a stone product, you have probably used the wrong density.
A standard tandem dump truck carries roughly 12–16 tons or 10–14 cubic yards, so those numbers also tell you how many loads you are committing to — and delivery is usually charged per load regardless of how full it is.
Looking for something slightly different?
Volume-to-weight questions come in four flavours. If this is not the one you wanted:
- Cubic Yard & Dirt Tonnage Calculator — enter your dimensions and get yards and tons for a specific material.
- Fill Dirt & Topsoil Calculator — dirt and topsoil specifically, where moisture changes the tonnage a lot.
- Gravel & Crushed Stone Calculator — driveway and base rock by the ton, with cost.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the material density (gravel ~1.4, sand ~1.35, topsoil ~1.1, mulch ~0.5).
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons (~2,800 lb).
How many tons is a cubic yard of mulch?
About 0.5 tons — mulch is much lighter than stone or soil.