Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion
Convert volume to weight based on material density.
Because tons measure weight and cubic yards measure volume, the conversion factor depends entirely on what material you are measuring.
Understanding the Units: Tons vs. Cubic Yards
A Cubic Yard (yd³) is an Imperial and US customary unit of volume. It describes the physical space a material takes up, equivalent to a cube measuring 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. This is how dump trucks and landscape suppliers measure their capacity. For more information, visit the Wikipedia page on Cubic Yards.
A Ton is a unit of weight (or mass). In the United States, a “short ton” is strictly defined as 2,000 pounds (lbs). Understanding the weight of your material is critical so you do not overload your vehicle, trailer, or wheelbarrow. Read more on the Wikipedia page on Tons.
How to Convert Cubic Yards to Tons (Formulas)
Unlike converting inches to feet, there is no single fixed number to convert yards to tons. Because one measures space and the other measures weight, you must know the density of the material you are using.
- To convert Cubic Yards to Tons: Multiply your yardage by the material’s weight per cubic yard.
Formula:Tons = Cubic Yards × Density (tons/yd³)
Example: To convert 5 cubic yards of gravel (which weighs ~1.4 tons per yard):5 yd³ × 1.4 = 7 Tons. - To convert Tons to Cubic Yards: Divide the total tons by the material’s weight per cubic yard.
Formula:Cubic Yards = Tons ÷ Density (tons/yd³)
Example: To figure out how many yards are in a 12-ton load of fill dirt (weighs ~1.2 tons per yard):12 Tons ÷ 1.2 = 10 yd³.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not usually. A cubic yard is a measure of volume, while a ton is a measure of weight. The weight of 1 cubic yard depends on the material. For example, 1 cubic yard of dry topsoil is close to 1 ton, but 1 cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons.
To convert cubic yards to tons, you must multiply your cubic yardage by the material’s density (in tons per cubic yard). Formula: Tons = Cubic Yards × Material Density.
On average, 1 cubic yard of loose gravel weighs approximately 1.4 tons (2,800 lbs).
Fill dirt typically weighs about 1.2 tons per cubic yard. Therefore, 1 ton of fill dirt is approximately 0.83 cubic yards (1 ÷ 1.2).
Only if the material you are measuring weighs exactly 1 ton per cubic yard (like very dry topsoil or mulch). For heavier materials like gravel or sand, 3 cubic yards will weigh significantly more than 3 tons (roughly 4.2 tons for gravel).
A standard tandem-axle dump truck typically holds between 10 and 14 cubic yards of material. Since fill dirt weighs about 1.2 tons per yard, a full dump truck load weighs between 12 and 17 tons.
This depends on the material. If hauling fill dirt (1.2 tons/yd³), a 20-ton capacity truck can hold about 16.6 cubic yards. If hauling heavier gravel (1.4 tons/yd³), it can hold about 14.2 cubic yards.
Since 1 ton of fill dirt is roughly 0.83 cubic yards, it looks like a pile slightly smaller than a standard 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot cube.
By volume, it might fit in a large 8-foot bed with high sides. However, by weight, it absolutely will not. 3 cubic yards of dirt weighs over 3.6 tons (7,200 lbs), which will completely crush the suspension of a standard half-ton or 3/4-ton pickup truck. You would need a commercial heavy-duty dump truck.
Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion Table (1-1000)
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