Tons to Cubic Yards Calculator
Enter a weight in tons and pick a material, and this tons to cubic yards calculator returns the volume, or enter cubic yards to get the weight in tons. It covers concrete, gravel, crushed stone, sand, topsoil and asphalt, so you can order by the unit your supplier uses.
Tons to Cubic Yards Calculator
Suppliers sell some materials by weight and others by volume. A quarry quotes crushed stone in tons, while a ready mix plant sells concrete by the cubic yard. Converting between the two takes one number: the density of the material.
How to convert tons to cubic yards
Volume and weight are linked by density, written in tons per cubic yard. To go from weight to volume, divide the tons by the density. To go the other way, multiply the cubic yards by the density.
Density is not fixed. Moisture, compaction and stone size all shift it, so the figures below are typical values. When a supplier gives you an exact density, enter it as a custom value for a precise result.
Typical density by material
| Material | Pounds per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete (normal weight) | about 4,050 | 2.03 |
| Crushed stone or gravel | 2,600 to 3,000 | 1.3 to 1.5 |
| Sand (dry) | about 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Topsoil | 2,000 to 2,500 | 1.0 to 1.25 |
| Asphalt | about 4,000 | 2.0 |
Worked example, gravel
A landscaper quotes 6 tons of crushed stone and you need to know how deep it will cover a driveway. Using a gravel density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, divide 6 by 1.4 to get about 4.3 cubic yards. One cubic yard covers 100 square feet about 3 inches deep, so 4.3 yards covers roughly 430 square feet at that depth. If the quarry gives you an exact density, use it in place of 1.4 for a closer figure.
Worked example, concrete
You have a ready mix quote for 3 cubic yards and want the weight for hauling or form planning. Multiply 3 by the concrete density of 2.03 tons per cubic yard to get about 6.1 tons, or around 12,200 pounds. That weight sets what the subgrade carries and what a trailer can legally move.
Related calculators
- Gravel calculator for base depth, coverage and tons
- Concrete calculator for cubic yards from project dimensions
- How to calculate concrete guide for volume formulas
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards are in a ton?
It depends on the material. For gravel at about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards. For concrete at 2.03 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.49 cubic yards.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.3 to 1.5 tons, depending on stone size and moisture. A common planning figure is 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
How many tons is a cubic yard of concrete?
About 2.03 tons, since normal weight concrete weighs close to 4,050 pounds per cubic yard.
Why do tons to yards conversions vary?
Density changes with moisture, compaction and particle size. Wet sand weighs more than dry sand, so the same ton fills fewer cubic yards.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply the cubic yards by the material density in tons per cubic yard. Three cubic yards of gravel at 1.4 is about 4.2 tons.
References
- Inch Calculator, cubic yards to tons and gravel weight references: https://www.inchcalculator.com/cubic-yards-to-tons-calculator/
- United States Geological Survey, aggregate and sand data: https://www.usgs.gov
- Portland Cement Association, concrete density references: https://cement.org
Methodology: conversions use volume equals weight divided by density, with typical densities in tons per cubic yard; density varies with moisture and compaction, so a supplier figure gives the most accurate result. Estimates are for planning. Recommended: attribute this page to a named author and add a review date.