Gravel & Aggregate
How to Convert Cubic Yards of Gravel to Tons
Convert gravel volume to weight: the density formula, a conversion chart for 8 materials, why moisture changes the answer, and how suppliers weigh loads.
You measure your project in cubic yards, but the quarry's scale ticket reads in tons. The bridge between them is density - and density is not one number. Getting this conversion right is the difference between a driveway finished in one delivery and a second $100 trip for two more tons.
The conversion formula
Everything hinges on the density you plug in. Rock type, particle size distribution (gradation), particle shape, and moisture all move it.
Conversion chart by material
| Material | lb/yd³ (loose, dry) | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel (3/8 in, rounded) | 2,400 | 1.20 | 0.83 |
| Sand (dry, loose) | 2,600 | 1.30 | 0.77 |
| Crushed limestone (3/4 in clean) | 2,700 | 1.35 | 0.74 |
| Crushed granite / trap rock | 2,700–2,900 | 1.35–1.45 | 0.69–0.74 |
| Bank-run gravel (sandy) | 2,800 | 1.40 | 0.71 |
| Crusher run / dense-graded base | 2,900 | 1.45 | 0.69 |
| Rip-rap (large, voids) | 2,500–2,600 | 1.25–1.30 | 0.77–0.80 |
| Recycled concrete aggregate | 2,400–2,600 | 1.20–1.30 | 0.77–0.83 |
Why dense-graded products weigh more
Clean single-size stone (like 3/4-in drainage rock) is full of air voids - up to 40% of the volume. Dense-graded products like crusher run mix large and small particles plus stone dust, so the small stuff fills the voids between the big stuff. Less air, more rock per yard, more tons per yard. This is also exactly why dense-graded base compacts so well and why clean stone drains so well: the same voids that lower weight carry water.
Moisture: the invisible 10%
Stone piles sit outdoors. After rain, surface moisture clinging to particles adds 5–15% weight without adding any rock. Since you pay by the ton, a wet load delivers less stone per dollar. There's no practical way around it beyond knowing it exists - but it's a reason to avoid ordering the morning after a storm if your project is weight-critical, and a reason quarry conversion factors beat generic charts.
Worked examples
Driveway topping: 5.6 yd³ of 3/4-in limestone → 5.6 × 1.35 = 7.6 tons. Order 8.
French drain: 2.75 yd³ of washed drainage stone. Washed clean stone runs lighter - 1.2 t/yd³ loose → 3.3 tons.
Reverse direction: supplier quotes a 10-ton minimum of crusher run. 10 ÷ 1.45 = 6.9 yd³ - at 4 in compacted depth that covers about 500 ft².
The gravel calculator converts volume to tons for six materials and adds compaction and waste automatically.
Open the Gravel CalculatorComparing supplier quotes fairly
One yard priced at $42 and one ton priced at $33 - which is cheaper? Convert to a single unit: at 1.35 t/yd³, the per-yard quote equals $31.10/ton - slightly cheaper. Always ask each supplier two questions: what does your product weigh per yard, and does the price include delivery? Delivery fees of $50–150 swamp small per-ton differences on typical residential orders.
When to call a professional
For engineered fills and base courses under inspected construction, densities and gradations are specified (ASTM/AASHTO designations) and verified by testing. Estimating conversions are fine for planning; specification compliance is a materials-testing matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons is 1 cubic yard of gravel?
Between 1.2 and 1.45 tons for common products: pea gravel about 1.2, clean crushed stone about 1.35, dense-graded crusher run about 1.45. Moisture can add another 5-15%.
How many tons is 3 cubic yards of gravel?
About 4 tons of clean crushed stone (3 x 1.35), or up to 4.4 tons of crusher run. Always round up when ordering.
How many cubic yards is 20 tons of gravel?
Roughly 14-15 cubic yards of crushed stone (20 / 1.35). That's about 1.5 tandem truckloads by volume, though the weight itself may already max out two legal loads.
Why does my supplier's conversion differ from online charts?
Density varies with rock type (limestone vs. granite vs. trap rock), gradation, angularity, and moisture. Quarries weigh their actual product; their number beats any generic chart, including this one.
Is gravel cheaper by the yard or by the ton?
It's the same material - what matters is comparing quotes in one unit. Convert both quotes to dollars per ton using each supplier's own density factor before choosing.