Conversion guide
How Many Tons in a Yard of Gravel? Easy Conversion Chart
Convert cubic yards to tons (and tons to yards) for every common gravel type, with charts, examples and supplier tips.
Quick answer: How many tons in a yard of gravel? Most gravel weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard when dry. Crusher run is about 1.5 tons and clean #57 stone about 1.35 tons. To convert, multiply cubic yards by the weight per yard. To go the other way, 1 ton is about 0.71 cubic yards.
Knowing how many tons in a yard of gravel matters because you measure your job in yards but most quarries sell by the ton. Get the conversion wrong and you either pay for stone you do not need or wait for a second delivery. This guide gives you the weight of each common gravel, ready-made conversion charts and a few tips that stop suppliers overcharging you.
The Formula: Cubic Yards to Tons
Tons = cubic yards x weight per yard
Cubic yards = tons รท weight per yard
Example: 8 cubic yards of crusher run x 1.5 = 12 tons.
A US ton (short ton) is 2,000 lb, which is not the same as a metric tonne of 1,000 kg. You can read more about the difference on Wikipedia’s short ton page. All figures here use US short tons.
How Many Tons in a Yard of Gravel, by Type
| Gravel type | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher run / road base | 1.50 | 3,000 |
| 3/4 in minus / DGA | 1.50 | 3,000 |
| Pit run gravel | 1.55 | 3,100 |
| Pea gravel | 1.40 | 2,800 |
| Decomposed granite | 1.40 | 2,800 |
| Crushed limestone | 1.40 | 2,800 |
| #57 crushed stone | 1.35 | 2,700 |
| River rock | 1.35 | 2,700 |
| #8 stone | 1.30 | 2,600 |
Stone with fines (dust) packs tighter, so it weighs more per yard. Clean, washed stone has more air between the pieces, so it weighs less. These are typical dry values based on US supplier figures. Your quarry may quote slightly different numbers, so use theirs when you have them. So the honest answer to how many tons in a yard of gravel is “it depends on the stone”, but 1.4 is a safe middle figure.
Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion Chart
| Cubic yards | Tons at 1.35 | Tons at 1.4 | Tons at 1.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.35 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| 2 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| 3 | 4.05 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| 5 | 6.75 | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| 10 | 13.5 | 14.0 | 15.0 |
| 15 | 20.25 | 21.0 | 22.5 |
| 20 | 27.0 | 28.0 | 30.0 |
Tons to Cubic Yards Conversion Chart
| Tons | Yards at 1.35 | Yards at 1.4 | Yards at 1.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.74 | 0.71 | 0.67 |
| 5 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| 10 | 7.4 | 7.1 | 6.7 |
| 15 | 11.1 | 10.7 | 10.0 |
| 20 | 14.8 | 14.3 | 13.3 |
| 25 | 18.5 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
Why Wet Gravel Weighs More
Moisture also changes how many tons in a yard of gravel you get billed for. Gravel loaded straight after rain can weigh about 10% more, and some forum users report crushed stone getting close to 2 tons per yard when soaked. If you buy by the ton, you pay for that water. When you order, ask whether the stockpile is dry, and always ask for the scale ticket (weigh bill) with your delivery so you can check what you paid for.
Real Examples
- Driveway base: 12 cubic yards of crusher run x 1.5 = 18 tons.
- Patio: 1 cubic yard of pea gravel x 1.4 = 1.4 tons (about 2,800 lb).
- French drain: 3 cubic yards of #57 stone x 1.35 = about 4 tons.
- Quote check: a supplier offers 10 tons. At 1.4 tons per yard, that is only about 7.1 cubic yards. Make sure it covers your job.
Once you know how many tons in a yard of gravel your stone weighs, the next step is working out the yards. Not sure how many yards your job needs in the first place? See how much gravel for a driveway, how much pea gravel you need or which gravel is best for your project.
Let the Gravel Calculator Do It
Our free gravel calculator converts yards to tons automatically using the right weight for each gravel type. It also adds compaction and waste, shows tonnes and cubic metres for metric users, and has a Compare tab to check supplier quotes per ton against per yard. It answers how many tons in a yard of gravel for your exact material, so you do not need to look up charts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons are in a yard of gravel?
Most gravel weighs about 1.4 tons (2,800 lb) per cubic yard when dry. Crusher run and road base are heavier at about 1.5 tons, and clean washed stone like #57 is a little lighter at about 1.35 tons.
How many yards are in a ton of gravel?
About 0.71 cubic yards. Divide tons by 1.4 to get yards. 10 tons of gravel is roughly 7.1 cubic yards.
How much does 1 cubic yard of crushed stone weigh?
About 2,700 to 3,000 lb (1.35 to 1.5 tons), depending on the stone size and how much fine dust it contains.
Why do suppliers sell gravel by the ton?
Quarries weigh every truck on a scale, so weight is easy to measure and check. Homeowners measure in yards, so convert using the weight of the exact stone you are buying.
How many tons of gravel fit in a pickup truck?
Most half-ton and three-quarter-ton pickups can safely carry only about 1 ton of gravel, even though the bed looks bigger. Gravel is heavy, so the weight limit fills up before the bed does.
Convert Your Gravel Order
Cubic yards, tons, tonnes and bags, worked out for your exact gravel.
