Enter the total amount of square feet to be covered, the depth, and the density of the material into the calculator to convert square feet to tons.

Square Feet to Tons Formula

The following formula is used to convert square feet into tons. 

T = A * Th/12 * D
  • Where T is the number of tons of material
  • A is the area of the coverage (square feet)
  • Th is the depth or thickness of the coverage (inches)
  • D is the density of the material (tons/ft^3)
    • The average density of some common materials are:
      • Gravel = .05244 tons/ft^3
      • Mulch = .022 tons/ft^3

To convert square feet to tons, multiply the area by the thickness, divide by 12, then multiply by the density.

How are square feet converted into tons?

Square feet are units of area, and tons are units of weight, so additional information is needed to convert between the two.

First, convert the square feet to volume by multiplying the area by the thickness, then multiply that result by the density to get weight.

How to calculate tons from square feet?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines how to calculate tons from square feet.

First, determine the area of the coverage. For this example, an area of 400 square feet will be covered by gravel.

Next, determine the thickness of the coverage. In this case, the thickness is measured to be 5 inches.

Next, determine the density of gravel. Gravel has an average density of .05244 tons/ft^3

Finally, calculate the total weight in tons using the formula above:

T = A * Th/12 * D

T = 400 * 5/12 * .05244

T = 8.74 tons

FAQ

What factors can affect the accuracy of converting square feet to tons?

The accuracy can be influenced by several factors including the precision of the depth or thickness measurement, variations in the density of the material, and the uniformity of the material’s distribution over the area. Inaccuracies in any of these factors can lead to significant discrepancies in the final calculation.

Can this formula be used for any type of material?

While the formula provides a general method for converting square feet to tons, it’s important to note that it relies on the density of the material, which can vary widely between different materials. Therefore, accurate density values are essential for the formula to be applicable across various materials.

How do you determine the density of a material if it’s not listed?

If the density of a material is not readily available, it can be determined by dividing the weight of a known volume of the material by that volume. This might require weighing a container of the material and dividing by the container’s volume, ensuring the units are consistent for an accurate calculation.