A cubic yard weighs anywhere from about 500 pounds for wood chips to more than 4,000 pounds for concrete. The material and its moisture decide the number.
Typical weights per cubic yard
The figures below are planning values. Your supplier can give the exact weight of the product you buy.
Why the weight changes
Moisture is the biggest factor. Wet soil, sand, and mulch can weigh 20 to 30 percent more than dry material. Particle size also matters, because a well graded gravel packs tighter than a uniform one.
Compaction changes things too. A loose cubic yard in a truck holds less material than a compacted cubic yard in the ground.
Using the weight
Weight tells you whether a truck or trailer can legally carry your load, and it lets you compare quotes sold by the ton against quotes sold by the yard. Divide the pounds by 2,000 to get US tons.
Weight per cubic yard by material
| Material | Pounds | US tons |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 4,050 | 2.02 |
| Mulch | 700 | 0.35 |
| Gravel | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Dirt | 2,400 | 1.20 |
| Topsoil | 2,200 | 1.10 |
| Sand | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Fill Dirt | 2,400 | 1.20 |
| Compost | 1,000 | 0.50 |
| Crushed Stone | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Pea Gravel | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| River Rock | 2,600 | 1.30 |
| Decomposed Granite | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Road Base | 2,900 | 1.45 |
| Riprap | 3,000 | 1.50 |
| Asphalt | 3,900 | 1.95 |
| Wood Chips | 500 | 0.25 |
| Crushed Limestone | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Rubber Mulch | 800 | 0.40 |
| Garden Soil | 1,700 | 0.85 |
| Stone Dust | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Clay | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Loam | 2,200 | 1.10 |
| Aggregate | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Crushed Concrete | 2,500 | 1.25 |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is a cubic yard of gravel?
About 1.4 tons, although it ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 depending on type and moisture.
How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?
About 4,050 pounds, or roughly 2 tons.
How much does a cubic yard of mulch weigh?
Often 500 to 800 pounds, depending on type and wetness.