Two-way bulk material converter
Tons to Cubic Yards Calculator
Convert tons to cubic yards, or cubic yards to tons, using common material densities for concrete, gravel, dirt, mulch, sand, and rock.
Convert Tons and Cubic Yards
Why Tons and Cubic Yards Differ by Material
A ton is a weight measurement, while a cubic yard is a volume measurement. One cubic yard of mulch is light, one cubic yard of concrete is heavy, and gravel or sand usually sits between those examples. That is why a material selector is required for a useful conversion.
Conversion Table by Material
| Material | Lbs per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 4,050 | 2.03 |
| Gravel | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Dirt | 2,200 | 1.10 |
| Topsoil | 2,400 | 1.20 |
| Mulch | 800 | 0.40 |
| Sand | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Rock | 4,500 | 2.25 |
How Suppliers Sell Bulk Materials
Stone yards often quote gravel, rock, and sand by the ton because truck scales make weight easy to verify. Landscape suppliers often quote mulch and soil by the cubic yard because these products are loaded by bucket volume. Concrete is ordered by cubic yard because the project form volume determines the order.
FAQ
Divide tons by the tons per cubic yard for the selected material. Density changes by material, so the same tonnage gives different volumes.
Using 2,800 lbs per cubic yard, 1 ton of gravel is about 0.71 cubic yards. Local rock type and moisture can change that estimate.
A cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,050 lbs, or 2.03 tons. Wet mixes and reinforcement are not included in this simple estimate.
Tons measure weight, while cubic yards measure volume. Heavy materials have more tons per cubic yard than light materials.
Aggregates like gravel and sand are often sold by ton. Mulch, soil, and concrete are commonly sold by cubic yard.
No. Material density changes the conversion, so always select the closest material type.
Yes. This calculator uses the US short ton, which equals 2,000 lbs.
Yes, most bulk material orders should be rounded up. Rounding helps cover compaction, waste, and delivery minimums.