How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of gravel or crushed stone weighs about 1.26 US tons (2,528 lb) at the typical bulk density of 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre; wet or compacted material runs heavier, up to about 1.4 tons. Sand is heavier per yard at 1.35 tons, topsoil lighter at 1.01. Put the other way round, a ton of gravel is about 0.79 cubic yards.
Weight per cubic yard by material
The densities are the presets used by the gravel calculator: typical bulk values for material as delivered, loose. A US ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg, or 2,205 lb.
| Material | Density (t/m³) | Density (lb/cu ft) | Per cubic yard (lb) | Per cubic yard (US tons) | Cubic yards per US ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel / crushed stone | 1.5 | 94 | 2,528 | 1.26 | 0.79 |
| Sand | 1.6 | 100 | 2,697 | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Topsoil | 1.2 | 75 | 2,023 | 1.01 | 0.99 |
Why the range matters
Dry, clean, rounded gravel sits near 1.4 tonnes per cubic metre (1.18 tons per yard). Angular crushed stone with fines, wet from the stockpile, can reach 1.7 t/m³ (1.43 tons per yard). If a supplier sells by the ton and you have worked out cubic yards, that spread is the difference between a load that fits and one that runs short. Ask for the density they use, or order by volume.
Tons for a given number of yards
| Cubic yards | Gravel / crushed stone | Sand | Topsoil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1 |
| 2 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2 |
| 3 | 3.8 | 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 5.1 |
| 10 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 10.1 |
Yards for a given number of tons
| US tons | Gravel / crushed stone | Sand | Topsoil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1 |
| 2 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 2 |
| 5 | 4 | 3.7 | 4.9 |
| 10 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 9.9 |
| 20 | 15.8 | 14.8 | 19.8 |
Metric: tonnes per cubic metre
In metric the density is the number itself: gravel at 1.5 t/m³ means a cubic metre weighs 1.5 tonnes and a tonne fills 0.67 m³. Bulk bags are sold by weight (a typical one holds 800 to 900 kg), so a bag of gravel is a little over half a cubic metre and a bag of sand slightly less. The driveway guide turns that into bags and tonnes for common drive sizes.
Before you order
- Work out the volume first (area x depth), add 5 to 10% for settling and uneven ground, then convert to tons with the density above; the calculator does all three steps.
- A full-size pickup carries about half a yard of gravel safely; a single-axle dump truck 5 to 7 tons. Check the payload before you drive to the yard.
- Compaction: gravel loses 10 to 15% of its loose volume once it is rolled or plate-compacted, which is why a 4 inch layer is ordered as if it were 4.5 inches.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a yard of gravel weigh in pounds?
- About 2,528 lb for typical dry gravel or crushed stone, and up to about 2,865 lb when it is wet or contains a lot of fines. A yard of pea gravel is at the lower end because the rounded stones pack with more air between them.
- How much does a yard of gravel weigh in tons?
- 1.26 US tons at 1.5 t/m³, with a realistic range of 1.2 to 1.4 tons. Suppliers quote in tons or in yards; ask which, and use their density if they give one.
- How many yards of gravel are in a ton?
- About 0.79 cubic yards per US ton, so a ton covers roughly 85 square feet at 3 inches deep. A metric tonne (2,205 lb) is 0.67 cubic metres, about 0.87 cubic yards.
- How much does a yard of crushed stone weigh?
- The same range as gravel: 1.26 tons at the typical density and up to 1.4 tons for dense, angular stone with fines, such as crusher run, which packs tighter than clean stone. Limestone and granite are near the top of the range.
- How much does a yard of dirt or topsoil weigh?
- Screened topsoil is about 1.01 tons (2,023 lb) per cubic yard when dry, and noticeably more after rain: soil holds a lot of water. Fill dirt with stones and clay can reach 1.3 tons.
- Why do different sites give different weights for a yard of gravel?
- Because gravel is not one material. Stone type, particle size, how much fine material is mixed in, moisture and whether it is loose or compacted all change the density by 20% or more. The figures here use one clearly stated density per material so you can adjust; the gravel calculator lets you type in the density your supplier quotes.
More guides
- How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
Cubic metres, tonnes and bulk bags of gravel for typical driveway sizes at 50, 75 and 100 mm depth, with the imperial equivalents in cubic yards and tons.
- How much gravel for a shed base? 6x8 to 12x16 ft
Cubic yards, tons and bags of gravel for 6x8, 8x10, 10x12 and 12x16 ft shed bases at 4 and 6 inches, why the base runs past the shed, and metric sizes in tonnes.
- How much sand and gravel do I need under pavers?
Gravel base at 4 or 6 inches and 1 inch of bedding sand for 100 to 500 sq ft of pavers: cubic yards, tons and bags, plus the metric patio in tonnes and bulk bags.
- How much mulch do I need? Bags and cubic yards by area
Cubic yards and 2 or 3 cu ft bags of mulch for 100 to 1,000 sq ft at 2, 3 and 4 inches deep, how many bags make a yard, and metric beds in cubic metres and 50 L bags.
Last updated 2026-09-12. Figures are planning estimates from typical product data: check the yield, size or coverage printed on what you buy and round up.