Building materials
Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert cubic yards or cubic feet to tons, or tons to cubic yards, for gravel, sand, dirt, topsoil, base, and concrete, with the density and its source shown.
Maintained by Austin Witherow · Updated
Converted
7.09 tons
- US tons
- 7.09 tons
- Cubic yards
- 5.00 yd³
- Pounds
- 14,175 lb
- Cubic feet
- 135 ft³
- Metric tonnes
- 6.43 t
- Density used
- 1.42 tons/yd³
Formula
Cubic yards = Cubic feet ÷ 27Tons = Cubic yards × Tons per cubic yardCubic yards = Tons ÷ Tons per cubic yardTons per cubic yard = lb per cubic foot × 27 ÷ 2,000Pounds = Tons × 2,000
Key caveat
Densities vary with moisture, grading, and source. The figures here are published averages, not your supplier's product.
What this calculator is for
A cubic yard measures space and a ton measures weight, so converting between them takes the weight of one cubic yard of the material. That number changes with the material, with moisture, and with whether the material is loose in a pile or compacted in the ground.
That last point is why answers online disagree. This converter shows each material's density, whether it is loose or compacted, and where the figure comes from, and lets you use your supplier's figure instead.
How it works
Cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards.
Tons are cubic yards times the material's tons per cubic yard.
Cubic yards from tons are tons divided by tons per cubic yard.
Pounds are tons times 2,000. Metric tonnes are pounds times 0.45359237 divided by 1,000.
Bulk and loose figures come from Engineering ToolBox, converted from pounds per cubic foot with × 27 ÷ 2,000. Compacted base, compacted soil, concrete, and the stockpile figures come from Wisconsin and Nebraska DOT documents.
How much room one ton takes
Cubic yards per ton for six of the converter's materials. Grey bars are compacted or in place; orange bars are as delivered. Wisconsin DOT converts compacted dense-graded base at 0.54 cubic yards per ton; its tests measured the same kind of base at 0.71 to 0.82 loose.
Quick calculator insights
Weight of one cubic yard
The figure the converter uses for each material, the range other published figures give, and the cubic yards in one ton.
| Material | State | Tons per yd³ used | Published range | Lb per yd³ | Yd³ per ton | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel, dry | bulk | 1.42 | 1.01 to 1.44 | 2,835 | 0.71 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Gravel, wet | bulk | 1.69 | 1.69 | 3,375 | 0.59 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Limestone, crushed | bulk | 1.35 | 1.15 to 1.44 | 2,700 | 0.74 | Wisconsin DOT research |
| Sand, dry | bulk | 1.31 | 1.08 to 1.35 | 2,619 | 0.76 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Sand, wet | bulk | 1.61 | 1.61 | 3,213 | 0.62 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Loam (topsoil) | bulk | 1.08 | 1.08 | 2,160 | 0.93 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Dirt, dry | loose | 1.03 | 0.89 to 1.43 | 2,052 | 0.97 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Dirt, moist | loose | 1.05 | 1.05 | 2,106 | 0.95 | Engineering ToolBox |
| Soil | compacted in place | 1.49 | 1.49 | 2,970 | 0.67 | Nebraska DOT |
| Dense-graded base | compacted in place | 1.85 | 1.67 to 1.98 | 3,700 | 0.54 | Wisconsin DOT |
| Concrete | in place | 1.94 | 1.89 to 2.03 | 3,880 | 0.52 | Nebraska DOT |
| Crushed concrete | stockpiled | 1.35 | 1.35 | 2,700 | 0.74 | Nebraska DOT |
| Reclaimed asphalt | stockpiled | 1.43 | 1.43 | 2,860 | 0.70 | Nebraska DOT |
Where the ranges come from
Tons per cubic yard ranges are converted from these published figures. Materials with one published figure are left out.
| Material | Range (tons/yd³) | Published figures |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel, dry | 1.01 to 1.44 | Engineering ToolBox 105 and 75 to 85 lb/ft³; Wisconsin DOT loose base and large aggregates 90 to 107 |
| Limestone, crushed | 1.15 to 1.44 | WisDOT measured loose crushed aggregates at 90 to 107 lb/ft³ dry, average 98.8; broken limestone 100 loose in the earthwork swell tables its report cites (Alaska DOT, Church); Engineering ToolBox 85 to 95 |
| Sand, dry | 1.08 to 1.35 | Engineering ToolBox 97, 80 to 100 dry, and 90 loose lb/ft³ |
| Dirt, dry | 0.89 to 1.43 | Wisconsin DOT: 14 soils loose, 66 to 106 lb/ft³ of dry solids (water adds weight), average 87.5 |
| Dense-graded base | 1.67 to 1.98 | Wisconsin DOT: 1.78 to 1.98 lab maximum; 1.67 to 1.77 measured in built 3/4 in base |
| Concrete | 1.89 to 2.03 | Engineering ToolBox 140 to 150 lb/ft³ |
Why sources disagree
The same material is quoted in different states. Wisconsin DOT's 2023 tests show how far apart they are.
| Figure | Value | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Dense-graded base, lab maximum | 1.78 to 1.98 tons/yd³ | Proctor maximum dry density, 13 samples (WisDOT research) |
| Dense-graded base, built | 124 to 131 lb/ft³ dry | 1.67 to 1.77 tons/yd³ measured in built 3/4 in base |
| Dense-graded base, loose | 90 to 104 lb/ft³ dry | 1.22 to 1.40 tons/yd³; 34 to 52% more room than compacted |
| Natural soils, loose (14 samples) | 66 to 106 lb/ft³ dry | 0.89 to 1.43 tons/yd³ of solids, before water; average 87.5 lb/ft³ |
| Gravel, Engineering ToolBox | 105 vs 75 to 85 lb/ft³ | Two tables on the same site; the second warns some values may mix bulk and solid density |
How to use this calculator
- 01Choose whether you are converting a volume to tons or tons to cubic yards.
- 02Enter the volume or weight.
- 03Pick the material and its state: bulk or loose for a delivery or pile, compacted for something already built.
- 04If your supplier gives a tons-per-yard figure, pick Custom and enter it.
Inputs explained
- Convert
- Volume to tons, or tons to cubic yards.
- Volume and unit
- Cubic yards or cubic feet of material.
- Weight
- US (short) tons of 2,000 lb.
- Material
- Sets the tons per cubic yard. The label says whether the figure is bulk, loose, compacted, in place, or stockpiled.
- Supplier density
- Only shown for Custom: the tons per cubic yard your supplier uses.
Outputs explained
- Result
- Tons, or cubic yards when converting from tons.
- Pounds and metric tonnes
- The same weight in other units.
- Density used
- The tons per cubic yard behind the result.
Worked examples
5 cubic yards of dry gravel
- Dry gravel at 105 lb/ft³ is 105 × 27 ÷ 2,000 = 1.4175 tons per cubic yard.
- 5 × 1.4175 = 7.09 tons, or 14,175 lb.
20 tons of dry gravel in cubic yards
- 20 ÷ 1.4175 = 14.11 cubic yards.
Dense-graded base, loose and compacted
- Compacted in place, Wisconsin DOT converts dense-graded base at 1.85 tons per cubic yard, so a ton fills 0.54 cubic yards.
- Loose, Wisconsin DOT's tests measured the same kind of base at 90 to 104 lb/ft³ dry, 1.22 to 1.40 tons per cubic yard, so a ton fills 0.71 to 0.82 cubic yards.
- If you measured a finished, compacted base, use the compacted figure, or the tons will come out short.
100 cubic feet of dry gravel
- 100 ÷ 27 = 3.7037 cubic yards.
- 3.7037 × 1.4175 = 5.25 tons.
When to use it
- Turning a supplier's price per ton into a price per yard, or the reverse.
- Checking how many tons a measured volume of gravel, sand, or dirt will be.
- Working out how many cubic yards a quoted tonnage will cover.
- Comparing a loose delivery with a compacted base.
Tips
- Ask your supplier for the tons per cubic yard of the exact product. It is the figure they bill from.
- Wet material weighs more for the same volume: Engineering ToolBox's wet sand and gravel rows are 19 to 23% heavier than the dry rows.
- To work out the volume from an area and depth first, use the stone, sand, or topsoil calculator.
Limitations
- Densities vary with moisture, grading, and source. The figures here are published averages, not your supplier's product.
- Bulk and loose figures assume material as delivered or piled. A compacted or settled layer is denser.
- Crushed limestone uses 100 lb/ft³ (1.35 tons per cubic yard), matching Wisconsin DOT's measured loose crushed aggregates; Engineering ToolBox's 85 to 95 is lower and is shown in the range.
- Tons are US short tons of 2,000 lb.
Methodology & assumptions
- Gravel, sand, loam, and dirt are Engineering ToolBox's Dirt and Mud values; crushed limestone uses 100 lb/ft³, matching Wisconsin DOT's measured loose crushed aggregates (average 98.8 lb/ft³ dry) and the broken-limestone rows in the swell tables its report cites. Pounds per cubic foot convert with 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 2,000 lb per US ton.
- Compacted base is Wisconsin DOT's conversion factor for completed dense-graded base (Standard Specifications 305.4(2)), inside the 1.78 to 1.98 lab maximum its 2023 research measured.
- Soil compacted in place, concrete in place, stockpiled crushed concrete, and stockpiled reclaimed asphalt are Nebraska DOT's estimating factors.
- Published ranges come from the other figures in these sources and are shown so you can see how far a real product might differ.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-05
- Engineering ToolBox: Dirt and Mud - Densities
Loam 80, dirt loose dry 76 and moist 78, sand dry 97 and wet 119, gravel dry 105 and wet 125 lb/ft³. Only the dirt rows are labelled loose.
- Engineering ToolBox: Densities of common Products
Gravel 75 to 85, limestone crushed 85 to 95, sand dry 80 to 100, sand loose 90, sand rammed 105, concrete 140 to 150 lb/ft³. The page warns that some values may mix bulk and solid density.
- Wisconsin DOT Standard Specifications, Section 305: Dense-Graded Base
Converts completed, compacted (in-place) dense-graded base aggregate at 1.85 tons per cubic yard.
- Wisconsin DOT research report WHRP G22-05: Weight-Volume Relationships and Conversion Factors for Soils and Aggregates (2023)
Tests of 43 materials. Dense-graded base: 1.78 to 1.98 tons per cubic yard at lab maximum (Proctor) density across 13 samples, 124 to 131 lb/ft³ dry in built 3/4 in base, and 90 to 104 lb/ft³ dry loose (34 to 52% swell). Loose crushed aggregates 90 to 107 lb/ft³ dry, average 98.8. Natural soils loose: 66 to 106 lb/ft³ of solids, average 87.5, water excluded. Literature swell tables: broken limestone 100 lb/ft³ loose.
- Nebraska DOT: Estimating Material Quantities (2024)
Concrete pavement in place 1.94 tons per cubic yard; stockpiled crushed concrete 1.35; stockpiled bituminous 1.43; soil compacted in place 110 lb/ft³.
FAQs
How many tons are in a cubic yard?+
It depends on the material. Dry gravel is about 1.42 tons per cubic yard, dry sand 1.31, crushed limestone about 1.35, loam 1.08, loose dry dirt 1.03 or more, compacted dense-graded base 1.85, and concrete in place 1.94.
How many cubic yards are in a ton?+
About 0.71 cubic yards of dry gravel, 0.76 of dry sand, 0.93 of loam, or 0.97 of loose dry dirt. Divide 1 by the material's tons per cubic yard.
How do I convert tons to cubic yards?+
Divide the tons by the material's tons per cubic yard. 20 tons of dry gravel at 1.4175 tons per cubic yard is 20 ÷ 1.4175 = 14.11 cubic yards.
Is 1 ton equal to 1 cubic yard?+
No. A ton is a weight and a cubic yard is a volume. A cubic yard of dry gravel weighs about 1.42 tons, and a cubic yard of loose dry dirt about 1.03 tons or more.
Is 3 cubic yards 3 tons?+
Not for most materials. 3 cubic yards of dry gravel is about 4.25 tons; 3 cubic yards of loose dry dirt is about 3.08 tons.
How many tons is 5 yards of gravel?+
About 7.09 tons of dry gravel at 1.42 tons per cubic yard, or 8.44 tons if it is wet.
How many tons is 20 yards of gravel?+
About 28.35 tons of dry gravel, or 33.75 tons wet.
Is 20 tons the same as 20 yards?+
No. 20 tons of dry gravel is about 14.11 cubic yards. 20 tons of dirt is about 19.49 cubic yards at Engineering ToolBox's loose dry figure, or 16.9 at the Wisconsin DOT soil average.
How many yards is 22 tons of fill dirt?+
Between about 15 and 21 cubic yards, depending on the soil: 21.4 at Engineering ToolBox's loose dry dirt (1.03 tons per yard), 18.6 at the average of Wisconsin DOT's 14 loose soils (1.18, solids before water, so wet soil gives fewer yards), and 14.8 compacted in place (1.49, Nebraska DOT). Ask the supplier for their figure, because fill varies.
How many cubic yards is 1 ton of gravel?+
About 0.71 cubic yards of dry gravel. A ton of dense-graded base fills about 0.54 cubic yards compacted, and 0.71 to 0.82 loose.
How much does a yard of dirt weigh?+
Roughly 2,000 to 2,400 lb loose, and more when wet or packed. Engineering ToolBox gives 2,052 lb for loose dry dirt, 2,106 lb moist, and 2,160 lb for loam. Wisconsin DOT's tests of 14 natural soils found 66 to 106 lb/ft³ of solids when loose, about 1,780 to 2,860 lb per cubic yard before any water, with an average near 2,360 lb. Compacted in place, Nebraska DOT uses 110 lb/ft³, about 2,970 lb.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?+
About 2,835 lb dry or 3,375 lb wet, from Engineering ToolBox. Other published dry gravel figures run from about 2,025 to 2,890 lb. Compacted dense-graded base is about 3,700 lb per cubic yard.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?+
About 2,619 lb dry or 3,213 lb wet, from Engineering ToolBox's 97 and 119 lb per cubic foot.
How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?+
About 3,880 lb (1.94 tons) for concrete pavement in place, Nebraska DOT's estimating figure; Engineering ToolBox gives 140 to 150 lb/ft³, about 3,780 to 4,050 lb. Broken up and stockpiled, crushed concrete is about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
How do I convert cubic feet to tons?+
Divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by the tons per cubic yard. 100 cubic feet of dry gravel is 3.7037 cubic yards, or 5.25 tons.
Why do different sites give different numbers?+
They mix loose, compacted, wet, and dry figures without saying which, and real materials vary. Wisconsin DOT measured dense-graded base taking up 34 to 52% more room loose than compacted, so a ton of it fills 0.54 cubic yards compacted but 0.71 to 0.82 loose.
Related calculators
Stone Calculator
Work out how much gravel or crushed stone to order for a driveway, path, patio base, or drainage area, in cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bags.
Concrete Calculator
Work out how many cubic yards of ready-mix or how many bags of concrete to buy for a slab, footing, post holes, Sonotube, steps, or wall.
Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand to order for a paver base, sandbox, or leveling layer, in cubic yards, tons, and bags.
Topsoil Calculator
Work out how many cubic yards of topsoil to order for a lawn, garden bed, or grading job, plus the weight, bag count, and cost.
This converter uses published average densities. Confirm the tons per cubic yard with your supplier before ordering.