Converter
Cubic Yards to Tons Converter
Gravel is measured in cubic yards but sold by the ton. Convert either direction with the same material densities our gravel calculator uses.
- Estimated weight
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- 50-lb bags equivalent
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The density table behind this converter
There is no single "weight of gravel." A cubic yard of dense, fine-rich crusher run weighs measurably more than a cubic yard of loose pea gravel. These are the typical mid-range values used across this site — the same figures the main calculator applies — and they are labeled as what they are: estimates, not scale tickets.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher run | 1.50 | 3,000 | Dense mix of stone + fines — compacts hard. |
| River rock | 1.45 | 2,900 | Larger rounded stone, heavier per yard. |
| Crushed limestone | 1.40 | 2,800 | Dense, angular — compacts well. |
| #57 stone | 1.35 | 2,700 | Common drainage / driveway stone. |
| Pea gravel | 1.35 | 2,700 | Small rounded stone. |
Why actual weights vary: moisture (wet stone weighs more), grading (more fines = denser load), and the parent rock at your quarry. A supplier who weighs every load on a scale will always beat a table — if they give you a density or a per-load weight, enter it under Custom above.
Worked examples
10 cubic yards of crushed limestone → tons
10 yd³ × 1.40 t/yd³ = 14.0 tons. Add the usual 10% ordering allowance and you'd order about 15.5 tons (suppliers typically round to the nearest half ton).
20 tons of crusher run → cubic yards
20 t ÷ 1.50 t/yd³ = about 13.3 cubic yards. At 4 inches deep, one cubic yard covers 81 sq ft, so 13.3 yards covers roughly 1,080 sq ft — see the full table on the gravel weight & coverage chart.
3 cubic yards of pea gravel → tons
3 yd³ × 1.35 t/yd³ = about 4.1 tons. In 50-lb bags that's roughly 162 bags — a good illustration of why bulk delivery usually wins past a few tons.
Bags vs. bulk, in converted numbers
A ton is 2,000 lb, so 40 fifty-pound bags make a ton, whatever the material. What changes by material is bags per cubic yard: pea gravel ≈ 54 bags/yd³, crushed limestone ≈ 56, crusher run ≈ 60. Under about a ton, bags are often simpler (no delivery scheduling, no minimum order). Past a few tons, bulk is usually more economical. If you know your area and depth rather than a yardage, the gravel calculator works out tons, yards, and bags together — and can check a supplier's quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
It depends on the material. Typical values: crusher run about 1.50, river rock about 1.45, crushed limestone about 1.40, #57 stone and pea gravel about 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Actual weight varies with moisture, grading, and supplier.
How do I convert cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the material's density in tons per cubic yard. For example, 10 cubic yards of crushed limestone at 1.40 tons per cubic yard is 14.0 tons.
How do I convert tons back to cubic yards?
Divide tons by the material's density. For example, 20 tons of crusher run at 1.50 tons per cubic yard is about 13.3 cubic yards.
Why does my supplier's weight differ from the estimate?
Stone weight changes with moisture content, particle grading, and how much fine material is mixed in. Wet stone can weigh noticeably more. When a supplier quotes a specific density or a scale weight, that figure wins — enter it as a custom density for a closer estimate.
How many 50-pound bags equal a cubic yard?
Multiply the material's tons-per-yard by 40 (a ton is 2,000 lb, so 40 fifty-pound bags make a ton). Pea gravel at 1.35 tons per yard is about 54 bags per cubic yard; crusher run at 1.50 is about 60 bags.
Next step: know your dimensions? The gravel calculator turns length, width, and depth into an exact order quantity. Planning coverage? See how much area a ton or a yard covers.