Tons to Cubic Yards Calculator & Guide for Materials

Tons to Cubic Yards is a common conversion needed in construction, landscaping, and material hauling projects.

Choose Material:

Tons:

Material Density (lb/yd³):

Typical Weight for Selected Material:

Whether you're ordering gravel, sand, topsoil, or mulch, materials are often sold by weight (tons), but project plans and delivery estimates are usually based on volume (cubic yards). This can make planning tricky if you don’t know how to convert between the two.

Since weight and volume are not interchangeable without knowing the material's density, it’s important to use the correct calculation to avoid over- or under-ordering. In this guide, we’ll explain how to convert tons to cubic yards accurately, walk you through common material densities, and give you access to a free, easy-to-use calculator.

If you're planning a driveway, garden bed, or fill project, this tool and guide will help ensure your numbers are right from the start.

Tons to Cubic Yards. — Tons to Cubic Yards

What Is the Difference Between Tons and Cubic Yards?

Understanding the difference between tons and cubic yards is essential before attempting any conversion.

A ton (in the U.S.) is a unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds. It tells you how heavy a material is but doesn’t give any information about how much space it will occupy.

A cubic yard, on the other hand, is a unit of volume. It represents the space taken up by a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high—equal to 27 cubic feet.

Because weight and volume measure different physical properties, they are not directly interchangeable. The same ton of two different materials (like gravel vs. mulch) can occupy very different volumes because of their density—which refers to how tightly the material is packed.

This is why converting from tons to cubic yards requires knowing the material's density, typically measured in pounds per cubic yard (lb/yd³). Once you have that number, you can accurately convert between weight and volume.

How to Convert Tons to Cubic Yards

To convert tons to cubic yards, you need to account for the density of the material you’re working with. Since tons measure weight and cubic yards measure volume, the missing link between them is how much space a specific weight of material occupies—this is where density (in lb/yd³) comes in.

🔢 The Formula:

Cubic Yards=Tons×2000Density (lb/yd³)\text{Cubic Yards} = \frac{\text{Tons} \times 2000}{\text{Density (lb/yd³)}}Cubic Yards=Density (lb/yd³)Tons×2000

Tons × 2000 converts tons into pounds (since 1 ton = 2,000 pounds).
Dividing by density in pounds per cubic yard gives you the volume in cubic yards.

✅ Example:

Let’s say you have 3 tons of gravel, and the density of gravel is approximately 2,700 lb/yd³. Cubic Yards=3×20002700=60002700≈2.22 cubic yards\text{Cubic Yards} = \frac{3 \times 2000}{2700} = \frac{6000}{2700} \approx 2.22 \text{ cubic yards}Cubic Yards=27003×2000=27006000≈2.22 cubic yards

So, 3 tons of gravel would fill about 2.22 cubic yards.

💡 Tip: Densities vary based on moisture, compaction, and material type—so using the correct value is key for accuracy.

Common Material Densities for Tons to Yards Conversion

The key to converting tons to cubic yards accurately lies in knowing the density of the material you're working with. Different materials have very different densities, and even the same material can vary based on moisture content, compaction, and whether it's loose or compacted.

Below is a helpful table of typical densities (in pounds per cubic yard) for commonly used materials in construction and landscaping:

Material	Approx. Density (lb/yd³)
Gravel (dry, loose)	2,700
Crushed Stone (1")	2,600
Limestone (crushed)	2,500
Sand (dry)	2,600
Sand (wet)	3,000
Topsoil (moist)	2,400
Mulch (wet)	800
Compost	1,000
Crushed Asphalt	2,800
Pea Gravel	2,800

📌 Note: These are average estimates. Always check with your supplier for the most accurate material density, especially for large-scale projects.

Having this information allows you to plug the right density into the conversion formula or use a calculator like the one we provide below.

Tons to Cubic Yards Calculator (Interactive Tool)

Need to skip the math and get your answer fast? Use our free Tons to Cubic Yards calculator below to instantly convert weight to volume for a wide range of materials.

🎯 How to Use the Calculator:

Select a material from the dropdown menu — or choose "Other" to manually enter your own material density.
Enter the number of tons of material you have.
The calculator will automatically provide the result in cubic yards.

👉 This tool works for:

Gravel
Sand
Mulch
Topsoil
Limestone
And more...

<em>(Embed your interactive calculator here using a custom HTML block.)</em>

🧮 Don’t forget: If you're not sure about the material's density, ask your supplier or refer to the table above.

This calculator is perfect for contractors, landscapers, and DIYers who need quick, reliable volume estimates when ordering or delivering bulk materials.

When Do You Need This Conversion?

Knowing how to convert tons to cubic yards isn’t just for math nerds—it’s a real-world skill that helps prevent costly mistakes in planning and logistics. This conversion comes in handy in a variety of everyday scenarios, especially in construction, landscaping, and delivery services.

🏗️ Construction Projects

If you're pouring a foundation, building a driveway, or laying road base, your material supplier may quote by the ton, while your blueprint or excavation plan lists volume in cubic yards. Accurate conversion helps you order the right amount the first time.

🌱 Landscaping and Gardening

Need mulch, compost, or topsoil for your yard or garden beds? Retailers often sell these by the cubic yard, but bulk suppliers may price by weight. Converting tons to cubic yards makes sure you’re not overspending or under-ordering.

🚛 Hauling and Dump Truck Loads

If you’re moving bulk materials using dump trucks or trailers, you’ll need to know how many cubic yards each load will hold. This helps avoid overloading and keeps your project running efficiently.

🧱 Material Delivery Estimates

Whether you’re ordering crushed stone, gravel, or fill dirt, converting tons to cubic yards ensures you get an accurate delivery volume that matches your space—and avoids paying for material that won’t fit.

💡 Pro tip: Many dump trucks hold 10–14 cubic yards of material. Knowing your conversion helps you plan deliveries accordingly.

Conculsion

Converting tons to cubic yards is an essential step in planning any project that involves bulk materials like gravel, sand, topsoil, or mulch. Since tons measure weight and cubic yards measure volume, using the correct material density in your calculation is the key to accurate results.

Whether you're working on a DIY landscaping project or managing a construction site, knowing how to do this conversion—or using a simple tool like our Tons to Cubic Yards Calculator—can save time, money, and unnecessary headaches.

👉 Try the calculator above, bookmark this page for future use, and feel free to explore our other handy construction and landscaping tools. Have questions or a material not listed? Drop us a comment or send us a message—we're here to help.

Tons to Cubic Yards