The conversion
Cubic yards = tons ÷ tons per cubic yard
Tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard
Tons here are US short tons of 2,000 lb. Crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, so 10 tons is 10 ÷ 1.4 = 7.14 cubic yards, and 5 cubic yards is 7 tons.
Tons per cubic yard and cubic yards per ton
| Material | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone 3/4" | 1.40 | 0.71 |
| #57 stone | 1.50 | 0.67 |
| Pea gravel | 1.30 | 0.77 |
| Crusher run / road base | 1.45 | 0.69 |
| River rock | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Concrete or paver sand | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Screened topsoil | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Fill dirt, dry | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Hot mix asphalt, compacted | 1.96 | 0.51 |
| Concrete | 2.00 | 0.50 |
| Wood mulch | 0.30 | 3.33 |
These are typical values. Wet material weighs more, and stone with fines packs denser, so ask your supplier for the weight per yard of the exact product. The full list, with coverage per ton, is on the material weight chart.
To size the pile from a surface area, use the square feet to cubic yards calculator or the gravel calculator.
Tons to cubic yards by material
Divide tons by the material's tons per cubic yard. The densities are typical values and vary by supplier, so use your supplier's figure when you have one.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | 1 ton is | 5 tons is | 10 tons is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone | 1.4 | 0.71 yd³ | 3.57 yd³ | 7.14 yd³ |
| River rock | 1.35 | 0.74 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| Sand | 1.35 | 0.74 yd³ | 3.70 yd³ | 7.41 yd³ |
| Topsoil | 1 | 1.00 yd³ | 5.00 yd³ | 10.00 yd³ |
| Fill dirt | 1 | 1.00 yd³ | 5.00 yd³ | 10.00 yd³ |
| Asphalt | 1.9575 | 0.51 yd³ | 2.55 yd³ | 5.11 yd³ |
| Mulch | 0.3 | 3.33 yd³ | 16.67 yd³ | 33.33 yd³ |
For bulk weights in pounds, see the material weight chart. To go the other way, from area and depth to tons, use the material pages such as the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards of 3/4 inch crushed stone per ton, 0.77 of pea gravel and 0.67 of #57 stone.
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
It depends on the material: 1.4 tons for crushed stone, about 1 ton for topsoil, 2 tons for concrete and only 0.3 tons for wood mulch.
How many cubic yards is 10 tons of gravel?
About 7.1 cubic yards of 3/4 inch crushed stone, or 7.7 cubic yards of pea gravel.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of sand?
About 0.74 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard. Dry sand is lighter, so a ton of it covers a bit more.
How many tons is a cubic yard of topsoil?
About 1 ton, but topsoil ranges widely with moisture and compost. Ask the supplier for its weight per yard.
Sources
Reference charts
More landscape material calculators
Gravel Calculator
Tons, yards and bags by stone type.
Asphalt Calculator
Tons of hot mix for driveways and lots.
Cubic Yard Calculator
Any dimensions to cubic yards.
Mulch Calculator
Yards and bags for beds and trees.
Topsoil Calculator
Soil for lawns, beds and fill.
Dirt Calculator
Fill dirt in yards, tons and truckloads.