Gravel Yards to Tons Converter
Quarries sell by the ton, but projects are measured in cubic yards. This page converts between the two for six common materials. Use the table for a quick answer, or enter your area below to get both yards and tons for your exact job. The example is exactly 10 cubic yards of crushed stone.
How to use the gravel yards to tons converter
- To convert a known volume, use the table below: find the material, then read tons per cubic yard (or cubic yards per ton).
- To work from your project, enter the area's length, width and depth. The calculator gives cubic yards and tons together.
- Pick the Material. Each one fills in a typical density; type your supplier's figure over it if they give one.
- Set waste to 0% for a pure conversion, or 5–10% when ordering for a real project.
The yards-to-tons formula
Converting between volume and weight only needs the material's density:
- Tons = cubic yards × density (tons per yd³)
- Cubic yards = tons ÷ density
Density depends on the stone and how much air is between the pieces. Typical dry figures from supplier sources: general gravel about 1.4 tons per yd³, pea gravel 1.4, crushed stone 1.5, crusher run 1.5, decorative landscape rock 1.3 and sand 1.3. Sources give ranges (Stone Center lists crushed stone at 1.35–1.7), and wet material is heavier, so a supplier's own figure always beats an average.
Worked example: 10 cubic yards of crushed stone
The calculator above is set to a 45 × 12 ft area, 6 in deep: exactly 10 cubic yards.
- Volume: 45 × 12 × 6 ÷ 12 = 270 ft³ = 10 yd³.
- Tons: 10 × 1.5 = 15 tons of #57 crushed stone.
Going the other way: if a quarry quotes for 20 tons of pea gravel, that is 20 ÷ 1.4 = 14.3 yd³. Spread 3 in deep, 14.3 yd³ covers 14.3 × 108 = about 1,540 ft².
When two suppliers quote in different units, convert both to the same one before you compare prices. A price per ton that looks cheaper can turn out dearer per yard for a heavy stone.
Why weights vary
Three things change how much a yard of gravel weighs:
- The rock itself. Granite, limestone and trap rock have different densities.
- Size and shape. Mixed sizes with fines (crusher run) pack tighter than single-size clean stone, so they weigh more per yard. Rounded stones settle differently from angular ones.
- Moisture. Sand and fines hold water. A wet load of sand can weigh noticeably more than the same volume dry, and you pay for the water when buying by weight.
For metric: 1 short ton per cubic yard equals about 1.187 tonnes per cubic meter, so 1.5 tons per yd³ is about 1.78 t/m³. Switch the calculator to metric to work in meters and tonnes.
Gravel yards to tons and tons to yards, by material
| Material | 1 yd³ = | 5 yd³ = | 10 yd³ = | 1 ton = | 10 tons = | 20 tons = |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (general / washed) | 1.4 t | 7 t | 14 t | 0.71 yd³ | 7.1 yd³ | 14.3 yd³ |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 t | 7 t | 14 t | 0.71 yd³ | 7.1 yd³ | 14.3 yd³ |
| Crushed stone (#57) | 1.5 t | 7.5 t | 15 t | 0.67 yd³ | 6.7 yd³ | 13.3 yd³ |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.5 t | 7.5 t | 15 t | 0.67 yd³ | 6.7 yd³ | 13.3 yd³ |
| Decorative landscape rock | 1.3 t | 6.5 t | 13 t | 0.77 yd³ | 7.7 yd³ | 15.4 yd³ |
| Sand | 1.3 t | 6.5 t | 13 t | 0.77 yd³ | 7.7 yd³ | 15.4 yd³ |
US short tons (2,000 lb). Typical dry weights from supplier sources; wet material weighs more. For metric tonnes per m³, multiply tons per yd³ by 1.187.
Tips for ordering by the ton
- Ask for the density. Most quarries know the weight per yard of their products. Enter it under Density for an exact conversion.
- Compacted vs loose. A cubic yard of crusher run in the truck becomes less than a cubic yard once compacted. Add a compaction allowance for base layers (see the driveway gravel calculator).
- Round up to the truckload. Suppliers often deliver in set load sizes. Round up rather than down, as a small top-up delivery usually costs a full delivery fee.
- Check the ticket. Bulk deliveries come with a weight ticket from the scale. Compare it with what you ordered.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is a yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons for general gravel and 1.5 tons for crushed stone, with suppliers quoting 1.35–1.7 tons depending on the stone and moisture.
How many yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 yd³ at 1.4 tons per yard, or 0.67 yd³ for crushed stone at 1.5 tons per yard.
How many tons are in 10 yards of gravel?
About 14 tons of general gravel or pea gravel, 15 tons of crushed stone or crusher run, and 13 tons of sand or landscape rock.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Roughly 1.1–1.3 tons per cubic yard dry (Gorham Sand & Gravel gives about 1.3; Stone Center 1.10–1.25), and more when wet.
How do I convert tons per cubic yard to tonnes per cubic meter?
Multiply by 1.187. For example, 1.4 tons per yd³ is about 1.66 t/m³.
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