Calculate the weight in tons from any volume in cubic yards for gravel, sand, topsoil, concrete, and more using each material density.
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Cubic Yards to Tons Formula
Cubic yards measure volume and tons measure weight, so you cannot convert between them without knowing how heavy the material is. That weight per unit volume is the density. The calculator uses density to bridge the two units.
To go from volume to weight in US tons:
T = CY * D * 27 / 2000
To go from weight in US tons back to volume:
CY = T * 2000 / (D * 27)
For metric tonnes, divide by 2204.62 pounds instead of 2000:
MT = CY * D * 27 / 2204.62
- T = weight in US tons
- MT = weight in metric tonnes
- CY = volume in cubic yards
- D = material density in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3)
- 27 = cubic feet in one cubic yard
- 2000 = pounds in one US ton
- 2204.62 = pounds in one metric tonne
The solve-for selector picks the direction. Choose cubic yards to tons when you know the volume and want the weight, or tons to cubic yards when you know the weight and want the volume. The material menu sets D for you from common landscaping and construction values. If you pick Custom density, you enter D directly in pounds per cubic foot, kilograms per cubic meter, or US tons per cubic yard, and the calculator converts it to a single internal unit before applying the formula. The decimal option controls rounding only and does not change the math.
Material Density Reference
These are approximate dry densities for common materials. Moisture, compaction, and particle size shift the real number, so treat them as estimates and confirm with your supplier when an exact weight matters. The US tons per cubic yard column is what you multiply your cubic yards by.
| Material | Density (lb/ft3) | US tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch (bark) | 18 | 0.24 |
| Dirt / fill | 75 | 1.01 |
| Gravel (loose, dry) | 85 | 1.15 |
| Sand (dry) | 90 | 1.22 |
| Topsoil | 100 | 1.35 |
| Gravel (dry, 1/4 to 2 in) | 105 | 1.42 |
| Sand (damp to wet) | 110 | 1.49 |
| Gravel (wet) | 125 | 1.69 |
| Concrete | 145 | 1.96 |
Example Problems
Example 1. You order 6 cubic yards of dry gravel at a density of 105 lb/ft3. Multiply 6 by 105 by 27 to get 17,010 pounds. Divide by 2000 and the load weighs about 8.51 US tons. Divide the same 17,010 pounds by 2204.62 and it is about 7.72 metric tonnes.
Example 2. A supplier quotes you 4 tons of topsoil and you want to know the volume. Topsoil runs about 100 lb/ft3, which is 1.35 US tons per cubic yard. Using the reverse formula, multiply 4 tons by 2000 to get 8,000 pounds, then divide by 100 times 27, which is 2,700. The result is about 2.96 cubic yards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to pick a material? A cubic yard is a fixed volume, but different materials pack different amounts of mass into that space. A cubic yard of mulch weighs a few hundred pounds while a cubic yard of concrete weighs close to two tons. Selecting the material sets the density so the conversion reflects what you are actually moving.
How accurate are the preset densities? They are solid averages for dry material, but real densities shift with moisture content, how compacted the load is, and the size of the particles. Wet sand or gravel can weigh 15 to 25 percent more than the dry figure. For billing or structural work, ask your supplier for the exact density of their product and enter it as a custom value.
Is a ton here a US ton or a metric tonne? The main result is shown in US short tons of 2000 pounds, with the metric tonne of 2204.62 pounds listed alongside it. When you convert from weight back to volume, use the weight unit selector to tell the calculator which ton you are starting from so the volume comes out right.
