Cubic Yards of Gravel to Tons: Conversion Chart
Multiply cubic yards by the stone's weight per yard. Clean crushed stone usually weighs about 1.35 to 1.4 US tons per cubic yard, so 1 cubic yard is roughly 1.4 tons and 10 yards about 14 tons. Crusher run and road base are heavier, up to about 1.5 tons per yard. Wet stone weighs more than dry.
The formula
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard. To go the other way, cubic yards = tons ÷ tons per cubic yard.
| Volume | 1.35 tons/yd³ | 1.4 tons/yd³ | 1.5 tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cu yd | 1.35 tons | 1.4 tons | 1.5 tons |
| 2 cu yd | 2.7 tons | 2.8 tons | 3 tons |
| 3 cu yd | 4.05 tons | 4.2 tons | 4.5 tons |
| 5 cu yd | 6.75 tons | 7 tons | 7.5 tons |
| 10 cu yd | 13.5 tons | 14 tons | 15 tons |
Tons, tonnes and short tons
A US ton (short ton) is 2,000 lb. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg, about 2,205 lb, so a tonne is about 10% heavier than a US ton. UK, Canadian and Australian suppliers quote tonnes. One US ton per cubic yard equals 1.187 tonnes per cubic metre.
| Volume | 1.5 t/m³ | 1.6 t/m³ | 1.7 t/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 m³ | 0.75 t | 0.8 t | 0.85 t |
| 1 m³ | 1.5 t | 1.6 t | 1.7 t |
| 2 m³ | 3 t | 3.2 t | 3.4 t |
| 5 m³ | 7.5 t | 8 t | 8.5 t |
Worked example
A 12 × 18 ft parking pad, 3 in deep: 12 × 18 × 0.25 = 54 cu ft = 2 cu yd. At 1.4 tons per yard, that's 2.8 tons. A quarry selling by the ton would quote for 3 tons.
Why weights vary
- Size and grading. Mixes with fines (crusher run, road base) pack tighter and weigh more than clean, single-size stone.
- Moisture. Stone delivered wet is heavier for the same volume.
- Rock type. Denser rock weighs more per yard.
Ask your supplier for their figure and enter it as the density in the calculator.
