One cubic yard always occupies 27 cubic feet, but its weight depends on what fills the space. This guide explains bulk density, moisture, the difference between US short tons and metric tonnes, and how to make a defensible estimate using supplier information.
Why one cubic yard has no fixed weight
A cubic yard is a unit of volume. It measures the space inside a three-foot cube, but it does not define what the cube contains. Sand, soil, gravel, concrete and wood mulch can occupy that space at very different weights. Even two samples of the same material may differ when moisture content, particle size or packing changes.
Bulk density describes a material's mass per unit bulk volume, including the void spaces between particles. For soil, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ↗ discusses how compaction changes density and pore space. The correct density is material-specific and must match the state being measured.
This is why a statement such as 'one cubic yard equals one ton' is not a general conversion rule. Volume-to-weight conversion requires additional data, unlike the exact mathematical conversion of 27 cubic feet to a cubic yard.
Cubic yards to pounds and US short tons formula
The basic conversion is weight = volume × bulk density. If density is reported in pounds per cubic foot, multiply by 27 cubic feet per cubic yard to obtain pounds per cubic yard. Then divide pounds by 2,000 to express the result in US short tons.
For instance, if a supplier's data sheet reports a bulk density of 100 lb/ft³ for a particular loose aggregate state, one cubic yard would weigh 100 × 27 = 2,700 pounds, or 1.35 US short tons. That is an illustrative material-density value, not a published property of every kind of gravel.
When supplier density is already expressed as US short tons per cubic yard, simply multiply by your cubic-yard quantity. Use the cubic yards to tons calculator to enter an actual factor.
Example weights at several densities
The table deliberately uses hypothetical densities rather than applying a potentially misleading fixed number to named materials. This lets you compare how strongly the same geometric quantity depends on density.
A nominal 5-yard truckload at 1.5 US short tons per yard weighs 7.5 tons; the same 5 cubic yards at 0.35 short tons per yard would weigh 1.75 tons. These differences affect hauling capacity, not the measured number of cubic yards.
| Assumed density | Weight per 1 yd³ | Weight per 5 yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 US tons/yd³ | 500 lb | 1.25 US tons |
| 0.5 US tons/yd³ | 1,000 lb | 2.5 US tons |
| 1.0 US ton/yd³ | 2,000 lb | 5 US tons |
| 1.25 US tons/yd³ | 2,500 lb | 6.25 US tons |
| 1.5 US tons/yd³ | 3,000 lb | 7.5 US tons |
| 2.0 US tons/yd³ | 4,000 lb | 10 US tons |
Why gravel, sand and soil weights vary
Crushed stone weight depends on the rock type, particle grading, moisture and how tightly the particles pack. A uniform clean drainage stone can have a different void structure from dense-graded base. Sand likewise varies with moisture content and grain distribution. A weight factor suitable for dry loose sand should not be assumed suitable for damp compacted sand.
Topsoil is not uniform. Organic matter, clay, sand content and moisture can produce large differences in delivered mass. A moist pile may weigh substantially more than a drier pile of similar measured volume. Soil sold by loose cubic yard can also settle, changing volume without changing the total mass of solids.
Compost and wood mulch can be particularly variable because their source materials and moisture levels differ. For ordering dense aggregates or designing loads, obtain the exact supplier's tested or stated bulk density rather than a table of generic online averages.
Cured concrete weight is not concrete order volume
Normal-weight concrete is considerably denser than most loose landscape products, but the mass of a hardened concrete element is not the same as the amount of ready-mix that should be ordered. A concrete slab order is based on the volume inside the forms, measured in cubic yards. A density estimate might be useful for a load or structural mass check, but does not replace slab dimensions.
For a slab, calculate length × width × thickness using the concrete cubic yard calculator. For dry bags, use the manufacturer's stated mixed yield per bag rather than dividing an arbitrary concrete density into the bag weight.
Loose, compacted and bank density states
The same soil can occupy different volumes in undisturbed ground, after excavation and after compaction. Mass is conserved when material is merely moved, but the bulk volume can change because of voids and rearrangement. Consequently, density values from different states cannot be mixed into one equation without accounting for the conversion.
Use a loose density with loose truckload volume, a relevant installed density with compacted volume, and in-place properties when evaluating bank excavation. The soil swell and compaction guide explains these differences in greater detail.
US short tons, metric tonnes and long tons
US construction quotes often use the short ton, defined as 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms, approximately 2,204.62 pounds. These are not equal. A long ton is 2,240 pounds and is used in some other contexts. Be explicit about which ton a supplier quotes.
If a stone yard says '7 tons,' verify that it means US short tons before converting or comparing with a metric quotation. This website's editable material-weight tools use US short tons unless a page clearly states otherwise.
Practical bulk-weight verification checklist
Ask for the actual material product, whether density includes moisture, the volume state, and the unit of measurement. Record how many cubic yards are needed and use the density that matches that quantity. If a contractor must haul the material, confirm payload and axle-weight limitations independently.
Do not use density estimates to infer the suitability of soil for structural fill or the capacity of a building surface. Those are separate engineering questions. For truck scheduling, use the dump truck load calculator with a verified payload allowance.
Converting a supplier's density sheet into an order weight
Suppliers may express density in pounds per cubic foot instead of tons per cubic yard. Suppose the specification for a particular loose material states 112 lb/ft³. Multiply by 27 to obtain 3,024 pounds per cubic yard; divide by 2,000 to obtain 1.512 US short tons per cubic yard. For a measured loose delivery of 4.5 cubic yards, the estimated total weight is 6.804 US short tons.
Keep the density and volume in matching material states. If the 112 lb/ft³ value refers to compacted dry material while your 4.5 yards are loose wet delivery volume, the conversion needs different input data. A calculator cannot correct an inconsistent density source.
How moisture complicates bulk material weights
Material can carry water within its pores or on particle surfaces. Moisture adds weight and can alter how particles pack. A pile of topsoil can change mass after rainfall without any new mineral soil being delivered. For sand and aggregate, the difference may also affect bulk handling and compaction.
If a project is weight-sensitive, request a supplier value for the relevant moisture condition or actual scale weights. When only a rough planning factor is available, label the output as approximate and avoid using it to determine a truck's legal payload. The dump truck load calculator separates volume and weight constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 cubic yard of gravel weigh?
There is no fixed number. Rock type, grading, moisture and packing affect weight. Ask the supplier for the relevant bulk density.
How much does one cubic yard of topsoil weigh?
Topsoil weight varies with mineral composition, organic matter, water content and its delivered state. Use the supplier's short tons per yard if available.
How do I convert pounds per cubic foot into tons per yard?
Multiply pounds per cubic foot by 27 and divide by 2,000 to get US short tons per cubic yard.
Is a metric tonne the same as a US ton?
No. A US short ton is 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms, approximately 2,204.62 pounds.
Does compacting gravel change its weight?
Compaction of the same material generally changes bulk volume and density, not the total mass. Loss or additions during placement are separate considerations.
Can I estimate truck loads from cubic yards alone?
Not reliably for dense materials. Check bed volume and allowed payload weight using a material density that matches the load state.
References and calculation limits
Exact unit relationships are mathematical; material properties, practical ordering factors and local conditions require supplier or project-specific verification. The following publications support the relevant technical context.
For the site's core formulas and density limitations, see our Calculation Methodology. Need a different tool? Open the cubic yard calculator homepage or browse all related guides.
Related Calculators and Guides
Continue with a material-specific estimate, convert units, or review the calculation behind your result.