Yards to Tons Calculator

Convert cubic yards into tons for common landscaping and construction materials. Ensure your pickup truck or dump trailer can safely handle the exact payload weight.

Volume cubic yards Please enter a valid volume

Material Type Select the material to establish its base density.

Moisture Condition

Rain makes porous materials up to 20% heavier.

Compaction / Waste Factor %

Extra volume required to account for material settling or tamping. Please enter a valid percentage

Calculation Results

Estimated Total Weight

— US Tons

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How to use this conversion calculator

Enter your volume in cubic yards

Input the total yards of material you need. If you only know the square footage and depth, you can calculate cubic yards by multiplying Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) and dividing by 27.

Select the material type

Different materials have drastically different weights. One yard of mulch weighs roughly 500 lbs (0.25 tons), whereas one yard of crushed stone weighs 2,800 lbs (1.4 tons). Select the material to set the base density.

Check the weather (Moisture condition)

Water adds immense weight. If it rained at the quarry recently, sand, soil, and gravel hold water and become up to 20% heavier. Toggle "Wet / Rain-Soaked" if applicable to ensure you don't overload your truck's payload capacity.

Check payload weight

The calculator instantly converts your volume into US short tons and total pounds, allowing you to easily verify if your order exceeds your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion by Material

Volume (Cubic Yards)	Material Type	Density Factor	Total Tons
1 yd³	Topsoil	1.2 Tons/yd³	1.2 Tons
1 yd³	Sand	1.35 Tons/yd³	1.4 Tons
1 yd³	Gravel	1.4 Tons/yd³	1.4 Tons
1 yd³	Concrete	2.02 Tons/yd³	2.0 Tons
1 yd³	Asphalt	1.95 Tons/yd³	1.9 Tons
5 yd³	Topsoil	1.2 Tons/yd³	6.0 Tons
5 yd³	Sand	1.35 Tons/yd³	6.8 Tons
5 yd³	Gravel	1.4 Tons/yd³	7.0 Tons
5 yd³	Concrete	2.02 Tons/yd³	10.1 Tons
5 yd³	Asphalt	1.95 Tons/yd³	9.8 Tons
10 yd³	Topsoil	1.2 Tons/yd³	12.0 Tons
10 yd³	Sand	1.35 Tons/yd³	13.5 Tons
10 yd³	Gravel	1.4 Tons/yd³	14.0 Tons
10 yd³	Concrete	2.02 Tons/yd³	20.2 Tons
10 yd³	Asphalt	1.95 Tons/yd³	19.5 Tons
20 yd³	Topsoil	1.2 Tons/yd³	24.0 Tons
20 yd³	Sand	1.35 Tons/yd³	27.0 Tons
20 yd³	Gravel	1.4 Tons/yd³	28.0 Tons
20 yd³	Concrete	2.02 Tons/yd³	40.4 Tons
20 yd³	Asphalt	1.95 Tons/yd³	39.0 Tons
50 yd³	Topsoil	1.2 Tons/yd³	60.0 Tons
50 yd³	Sand	1.35 Tons/yd³	67.5 Tons
50 yd³	Gravel	1.4 Tons/yd³	70.0 Tons
50 yd³	Concrete	2.02 Tons/yd³	101.0 Tons
50 yd³	Asphalt	1.95 Tons/yd³	97.5 Tons

Frequently asked questions

How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?

As a general industry rule of thumb, one cubic yard of standard crushed stone or gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs). Finer materials like crusher run (base gravel) pack together more tightly and can weigh 1.5 tons (3,000 lbs) per cubic yard.

Does rain make landscaping materials heavier?

Yes, dramatically. Porous materials act like sponges. Dry sand or topsoil might weigh 1.35 tons per yard, but after a heavy rain, that same yard can weigh over 1.6 tons because of the retained water weight. Always account for moisture if hauling material in a personal pickup truck to avoid suspension damage.

How do I calculate cubic yards from length and width?

First, convert your desired depth from inches into feet (e.g., 4 inches = 0.33 feet). Multiply the length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) to get total Cubic Feet. Because there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, divide your final number by 27 to get your total Cubic Yards.

What is the difference between a US short ton and a metric ton?

In the United States, almost all construction material is sold by the "short ton," which is exactly 2,000 pounds. A "metric ton" (or tonne) is an international unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms, or roughly 2,204.6 pounds. This calculator outputs standard US short tons (2,000 lbs).

About this calculator

This yards to tons conversion calculator is designed to protect both your budget and your vehicle. Because some material suppliers sell by the yard (volume) and others sell by the ton (weight), converting between the two is a necessary step in landscaping and masonry.

The estimator utilizes the following base formulas:

Tons = Cubic Yards × Material Density (Tons per yd³)

Total Weight (Tons) = Tons × (1 + (Compaction Factor % ÷ 100))
Total Pounds = Total Weight × 2,000

Why the compaction factor matters: If you dig a hole that measures exactly 1 cubic yard, you cannot simply buy 1 cubic yard of loose "crusher run" gravel to fill it. When you tamp or roll the base gravel, it compresses by roughly 10% to 15%. To fill a compacted space, you must order extra loose material upfront.