Volume & weight converter
Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert cubic yards to estimated tons — or tons back to cubic yards — using the bulk density of your material.
- Converts both directions
- Your supplier’s density
- Short tons & metric tonnes
Why density matters
Why there is no single cubic-yards-to-tons conversion
Cubic yards measure volume. Tons measure weight. Density connects the two, and it is different for every material and condition.
Volume → weight
US short tons = yd³ × density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2,000
- 1. Material
Solid stone, soil and wood fibre have very different weights for the same volume.
- 2. Moisture
Water adds weight: one cubic foot of water weighs about 62.4 lb. Wet material weighs more than the same volume dry.
- 3. Grading and gaps
Mixed particle sizes fill the gaps between larger pieces, so more material fits in the same space.
- 4. Loose or compacted
Compacted material packs closer, so a cubic yard in place weighs more than a loose cubic yard.
Worked example with illustrative values: 3.5 yd³ × 2,700 lb/yd³ = 9,450 lb = 4.725 US short tons. The same 3.5 yd³ at a density of 1,000 lb/yd³ would be 1.75 tons.
Units
Check which ton your supplier means
United States
US short ton
2,000 lb
Exactly 907.18474 kg.
Metric
Metric tonne (t)
1,000 kg
About 2,204.62 lb.
The long ton (2,240 lb) is a separate unit and is not used by this calculator.
Next steps
Related tools and measurement guides
Calculators
Questions
Volume and weight questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard?
There is no fixed answer. A cubic yard is a volume; a ton is a weight. The conversion depends on the material’s bulk density, which changes with the material, moisture and whether it is loose or compacted. Use the density your supplier quotes.
What is the formula?
US short tons = cubic yards × density (lb/yd³) ÷ 2,000. For example 3.5 yd³ × 2,700 lb/yd³ ÷ 2,000 = 4.725 short tons. In metric: tonnes = m³ × density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000, so 2 m³ at 1,600 kg/m³ = 3.2 tonnes.
How do I convert tons back to cubic yards?
Cubic yards = tons × 2,000 ÷ density (lb/yd³). Switch the direction to Weight → Volume, or select “Convert this weight back to volume” after a calculation — it uses the unrounded result, so 4.725 tons at 2,700 lb/yd³ returns exactly 3.5 yd³.
What kind of ton does my supplier mean?
In the United States a “ton” is normally the short ton of 2,000 lb. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg (about 2,204.62 lb). Check your quote, because the difference is about 10%.
Does choosing a material name change the density?
No. The optional label and condition only describe your estimate on copies and printouts. The calculation always uses the density you enter.