Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert landscaping material from cubic yards to tons using the calculator below.
Results: Total Tons
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Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.
How to Convert Cubic Yards to Tons
To convert cubic yards of landscaping material to tons, you need to understand that cubic yards measure volume (how much space the material takes up) while tons measure weight. Because of this, the conversion depends on the type of material you are using.
Different materials, such as gravel, sand, mulch, or soil, all have different weights for the same amount of space. This means one cubic yard of gravel will weigh more than one cubic yard of mulch.
The first step is to find the weight per cubic yard for the material. For example, gravel usually weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, sand about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, and mulch about 0.2 to 0.4 tons per cubic yard.
You can use the chart below to find this.
Cubic Yards to Tons Chart
| Material | Tons per Cubic Yard | Pounds per Cubic Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt (crushed) | 1.62-1.96 t/yd³ | 120-145 lb/ft³ |
| Asphalt (hot-mix) | 1.96-2.09 t/yd³ | 145-155 lb/ft³ |
| Concrete | 1.85-2.11 t/yd³ | 137.04-156.3 lb/ft³ |
| Crushed Stone / Gravel (¼” – 2″) | 1.4-1.7 t/yd³ | 103.7-125.93 lb/ft³ |
| Rock (2” – 6”) | 1.5-1.7 t/yd³ | 111.11-125.93 lb/ft³ |
| Riprap | 1.7-2 t/yd³ | 125.93-148.15 lb/ft³ |
| Sand (dry) | 1.3-1.5 t/yd³ | 96.3-111.11 lb/ft³ |
| Sand (wet) | 1.5-1.7 t/yd³ | 111.11-125.93 lb/ft³ |
| Dirt/Soil (dry) | 1-1.3 t/yd³ | 74.07-96.3 lb/ft³ |
| Dirt/Soil (compacted) | 1.3-1.5 t/yd³ | 96.3-111.11 lb/ft³ |
| Dirt/Soil (wet) | 1.5-1.7 t/yd³ | 111.11-125.93 lb/ft³ |
| Mulch | 0.2-0.4 t/yd³ | 14.81-29.63 lb/ft³ |
Once you know the weight, you can use the cubic yards to tons formula to calculate the weight in tons.
Cubic Yards to Tons Formula
The yards to tons formula is:
tons = cubic yards × density in tons per yard
The yards to tons formula states that the weight in tons is equal to the volume in cubic yards times the density in tons per yard.
For example, let’s calculate how much 7 yards of gravel weighs. The density of gravel is about 1.4 t/yd³.
tons = 7 × 1.4 = 9.8 tons
Therefore, 7 cubic yards of gravel is equivalent to about 9.8 tons.
Accounting for Compaction
Compaction can also change how many tons are in a cubic yard of landscaping material. Compaction happens when material is pressed down, and the air spaces between the particles are reduced.
When this happens, the same cubic yard of space can hold more material, which increases the weight. For example, loose gravel or soil may weigh less per cubic yard when it is first delivered, but after it is spread and compacted with a machine or by foot traffic, it becomes denser and heavier.
Because of compaction, the density in tons per cubic yard can increase depending on how tightly the material is packed. This is especially common with materials like crushed stone, gravel, and soil used for bases under patios or driveways.
When estimating materials, contractors often consider whether the material will stay loose or be compacted during installation. Accounting for compaction helps ensure you order enough material to complete the project.