Cubic Yards to Tons
Convert volume and weight using a bulk density for your material.
Free to use. Calculations run in your browser.
At a glance
Cubic Yards to Tons
US short tons = cubic yards × 27 × density in lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000. There is no universal cubic yard to ton conversion because the material’s bulk density is required.
Conversions
A yard is volume. A ton is weight.
The same cubic yard of dry mulch, damp sand, soil, and concrete can have different weights. Bulk density also depends on condition, including moisture and void space. Enter the supplier’s density for the material and state you are measuring.
US short tons = yd³ × 27 × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000
Metric tonnes = yd³ × 0.764554857984 × density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000
A density expressed per cubic yard can be entered directly through the unit selector. The engine converts density and quantity into consistent units before calculating.
Conversions
A stated density example
If a supplier specifies 100 lb/ft³, then one cubic yard weighs 27 × 100 = 2,700 lb, or 1.35 US short tons. At that same density, 2 US short tons occupy 4,000 ÷ 100 = 40 ft³, or about 1.481 yd³.
The 100 lb/ft³ density is an arithmetic example, not a preset for dirt, gravel, sand, or concrete. An estimate is only as relevant as the density and material condition it uses.
Conversions
Choose the right ton
| Weight unit | Definition |
|---|---|
| US short ton | 2,000 lb |
| Metric tonne | 1,000 kg |
| Long ton | 2,240 lb |
Do not treat US short tons and metric tonnes as interchangeable. Pounds and kilograms are also available for both input and output. The result is material weight only; packaging, pallets, containers, and vehicle weight are separate.
Conversions
Convert tons back to cubic yards
Choose Weight to volume. Enter the weight unit used by the supplier and the same material’s bulk density. The calculator divides weight by density to find volume, then converts it to the selected cubic unit.
yd³ = weight (lb) ÷ density (lb/ft³) ÷ 27
Particle specific gravity, a compaction test percentage, and a general material name are not substitutes for bulk density. If the quote and the project refer to different loose or compacted states, clarify that relationship before ordering.
Common questions
Cubic Yards to Tons questions, answered.
Can a yard be converted to ounces?
Clarify both units first. A yard can mean length or a bulk cubic yard, and ounces can mean weight or fluid volume. Weight ounces need a matching material density: calculate pounds, then multiply by 16 for avoirdupois ounces. Fluid ounces describe volume and must not be treated as weight. A bare yard to ounce question has no universal answer.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
There is no fixed answer for every gravel product and condition. Use a bulk density from the supplier. Then multiply the cubic yard quantity by 27 and by density in lb/ft³, and divide by 2,000 for US short tons.
Can I calculate dirt weight in pounds or kilograms?
Yes. Choose Volume to weight and select pounds or kilograms for the result. Enter a density for the soil type and moisture condition being estimated.
Does the calculator assume concrete density?
No. Concrete products and conditions can differ. Enter the density from the relevant product, supplier, or project data. The tool does not fill a material density automatically.
Why does the reverse conversion give a different answer after rounding?
Displayed values are rounded for reading. Reentering a rounded weight can slightly change a reverse calculation. Keep full precision or use the original inputs when comparing results.
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