Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert cubic yards to tons by selecting a material or entering a custom density. Because volume and weight are different units, the conversion depends on how dense the material is. This calculator covers more than 20 common construction and landscaping materials including gravel, sand, concrete, topsoil, asphalt, and mulch, and gives you the result in short tons, long tons, and metric tonnes simultaneously.
Why you cannot convert cubic yards to tons without a density
Cubic yards measure volume: the amount of space a material occupies. Tons measure weight: how heavy that material is. The same volume of two different materials can weigh completely different amounts. One cubic yard of dry mulch weighs only about 0.2 short tons, while one cubic yard of concrete weighs about 1.96 short tons. That is nearly a ten-fold difference for the same volume. To convert between the two you need one additional number: the density of the material, expressed as weight per unit volume. The formula is: weight (lb) = volume (ft3) x density (lb/ft3), and since 1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, you first multiply your cubic yard figure by 27, then multiply by the density, then divide by 2,000 to reach short tons.
How this calculator converts cubic yards to tons
Select your material from the dropdown. The calculator pre-fills its standard density in pounds per cubic foot. If your material is not in the list, choose Custom and enter the density yourself. Then enter the volume in cubic yards. The result appears instantly in short tons (the standard US measurement), long tons (the UK standard), and metric tonnes so you can use whichever unit your supplier or specification requires. The Show Your Work panel breaks the calculation into five numbered steps so you can verify the math by hand. The chart below the result shows how the weight scales as volume increases, which is useful for planning different order quantities.
Short tons, long tons, and metric tonnes: what is the difference?
A short ton (also called a US ton) equals 2,000 pounds and is the default unit used by most American suppliers and specification sheets. A long ton (also called an Imperial ton or UK ton) equals 2,240 pounds and is still used in some British and Commonwealth contexts. A metric tonne (often written as just "tonne" or "t") equals 1,000 kilograms, which is 2,204.6 pounds. The three are close in size: 1 metric tonne is about 10 percent heavier than 1 short ton, and about 1.6 percent lighter than 1 long ton. When ordering materials or filling in permits, confirm which ton your counterpart is using, because the difference can matter for payload, structural, or cost calculations.
Material density and how moisture affects it
The density values in this calculator are typical for each material in the stated condition. Moisture has the biggest real-world impact. Dry sand runs about 90-100 lb/ft3, while wet sand can reach 120 lb/ft3 or more, a 20-33% increase in weight for the same volume. Topsoil follows a similar pattern. Gravel is less affected because water drains through quickly, but even gravel varies with fines content and grading. Compaction also matters: loose fill dirt is roughly 76 lb/ft3, but compact the same material and it climbs to around 95 lb/ft3. If your material has been rained on, recently excavated, or is being placed in a confined layer, choose the condition that best matches reality to get the most accurate weight estimate.
Common material densities and approximate weight per cubic yard
| Material | Density (lb/ft³) | Approx. short tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch (bark) | 15 | 0.20 |
| Mulch (wood chip) | 23 | 0.31 |
| Topsoil (standard) | 75 | 1.01 |
| Dirt (dry, loose) | 76 | 1.03 |
| Asphalt (crushed) | 80 | 1.08 |
| Limestone (crushed) | 86 | 1.16 |
| Sand (loose) | 90 | 1.22 |
| Cement (Portland) | 94 | 1.27 |
| Gravel (dry, loose) | 95 | 1.28 |
| Dirt (compacted) | 95 | 1.28 |
| Sand (dry) | 100 | 1.35 |
| Topsoil (saturated) | 100 | 1.35 |
| Gravel (dry, 1/4-2 in) | 105 | 1.42 |
| Dirt (wet) | 110 | 1.49 |
| Riprap | 110 | 1.49 |
| Sand (wet) | 120 | 1.62 |
| Gravel (wet, 1/4-2 in) | 125 | 1.69 |
| Limestone (low density) | 130 | 1.75 |
| Asphalt (hot-mix) | 140 | 1.89 |
| Concrete | 145 | 1.96 |
| Limestone (high density) | 160 | 2.16 |
Density values are representative. Actual weight varies with moisture content, grading, and compaction.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is 1 cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the gravel type and moisture. Dry loose gravel weighs about 95 lb/ft3, so 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet) weighs about 2,565 lb or roughly 1.28 short tons. Wet gravel with fine particles can reach 125 lb/ft3, giving about 1.69 short tons per cubic yard. Use the calculator with the appropriate gravel preset for a more precise figure.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
Flipping the calculation: at 1.28 short tons per cubic yard (dry loose gravel), 1 ton is about 0.78 cubic yards, or roughly three-quarters of a cubic yard. For wet or dense gravel at 1.69 short tons per cubic yard, 1 ton is about 0.59 cubic yards. To reverse-calculate from tons to cubic yards, divide the number of tons by the tons-per-cubic-yard figure for your material.
How many tons is 1 cubic yard of topsoil?
Standard dry topsoil runs about 75 lb/ft3, so 1 cubic yard weighs about 2,025 lb or just over 1 short ton. Saturated topsoil can reach 100 lb/ft3, meaning 1 cubic yard weighs about 2,700 lb or 1.35 short tons. The actual weight depends heavily on recent rainfall and organic content.
How many tons is 1 cubic yard of concrete?
Typical ready-mix concrete has a density of about 145 lb/ft3. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, so 27 x 145 = 3,915 lb, which is about 1.96 short tons per cubic yard. For reinforced concrete with rebar the figure is slightly higher.
How do I convert cubic yards to metric tonnes?
Multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, multiply by the density in lb/ft3 to get pounds, then divide by 2,204.6 to get metric tonnes. Alternatively, convert your density to kg/m3 (multiply lb/ft3 by 16.018) and multiply directly by volume in cubic metres (1 cubic yard = 0.7646 m3).
What is the difference between a short ton and a metric tonne?
A short ton equals 2,000 pounds (about 907 kg). A metric tonne equals 1,000 kg (about 2,204.6 lb). So 1 metric tonne is about 10% heavier than 1 short ton. A long ton (UK) equals 2,240 pounds, which sits between the two. Most US material suppliers quote prices in short tons; most international trade uses metric tonnes.
How many cubic yards does a dump truck hold?
A standard dump truck carries 10-14 cubic yards by volume and 10-14 short tons by payload weight. Whether the volume or weight limit is hit first depends on the material. For heavy materials like wet concrete or limestone, the weight limit is usually the constraint. For light materials like mulch, the volume limit comes first. Knowing the weight per cubic yard of your material lets you work out how many loads you need without going over the truck's legal payload.