# Tonnage Calculator

Calculate material tonnage from volume and density. Convert cubic yards to tons for gravel, sand, soil, concrete, and other bulk materials.

## What this calculates

Suppliers sell bulk materials by the ton, but you usually figure out how much you need by volume. This calculator converts cubic yards (or cubic feet and cubic meters) to tons using the density of your material. Pick from common materials or enter a custom density.

## Inputs

- **Volume** (yd³) — min 0
- **Material Type** — options: Custom Density, Gravel (2,700 lb/yd³), Sand (dry) (2,500 lb/yd³), Topsoil (2,200 lb/yd³), Crushed Stone (2,800 lb/yd³), Concrete (4,050 lb/yd³), Asphalt (3,800 lb/yd³), Mulch (600 lb/yd³), Clay (1,800 lb/yd³), Fill Dirt (2,100 lb/yd³), Limestone (2,900 lb/yd³) — Select a material or choose Custom to enter your own density
- **Custom Density** (lb/yd³) — min 1, max 20000 — Only used when Material Type is set to Custom
- **Price Per Ton** ($) — min 0

## Outputs

- **Volume** (yd³)
- **Weight** (lbs)
- **Weight** (tons)
- **Weight** (tonnes)
- **Estimated Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

## Common Material Weights

Here is how much common construction materials weigh per cubic yard:

| Material | Weight (lb/yd³) | Tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,500 | 1.25 |
| Crushed stone | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Topsoil | 2,200 | 1.10 |
| Concrete | 4,050 | 2.03 |
| Asphalt | 3,800 | 1.90 |
| Fill dirt | 2,100 | 1.05 |
| Limestone | 2,900 | 1.45 |
| Mulch | 600 | 0.30 |
| Clay | 1,800 | 0.90 |

### Short Tons vs. Metric Tonnes

In the US, a "ton" means a short ton (2,000 lbs). A metric tonne is 2,204.6 lbs. When ordering materials from US suppliers, they use short tons. This calculator shows both so you can convert if needed.

### Moisture Content Matters

Wet materials weigh significantly more. Wet sand can weigh 3,000+ lb/yd³ vs 2,500 lb/yd³ dry. Wet topsoil might hit 2,800 lb/yd³ vs 2,200 dry. If you are hauling wet material, bump up the density or use the custom density field.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?**

A: A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,700 pounds or 1.35 tons. This varies by gravel type: pea gravel runs about 1.30 tons/yd³, crushed stone about 1.40 tons/yd³, and river rock about 1.42 tons/yd³.

**Q: How do I convert cubic yards to tons?**

A: Multiply the cubic yards by the material density in lb/yd³, then divide by 2,000. For example, 5 cubic yards of sand: 5 x 2,500 = 12,500 lbs / 2,000 = 6.25 tons. Each material has a different density, so there is no single conversion factor.

**Q: What is the difference between a ton and a tonne?**

A: A US (short) ton is 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.6 pounds. A long ton (used in the UK) is 2,240 pounds. In the US, suppliers always mean short tons unless they specifically say metric.

**Q: How many cubic yards fit in a dump truck?**

A: A standard single-axle dump truck holds about 5-8 cubic yards. A tandem (double-axle) holds 10-14 cubic yards. However, weight limits often restrict you to less than full volume. Most dump trucks max out at 13-15 tons of payload.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/tonnage
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08