Gravel Tons-to-Yards Calculator

Convert US short tons to cubic yards (or metric tonnes to cubic metres) using the bulk density of your product. There is no fixed tons-per-yard figure for gravel.

Gravel tons-to-yards calculator

Convert

US short tons (2,000 lb) and metric tonnes (1,000 kg) are different units. Check which one your supplier uses.

Why density is required

Weight and volume cannot be converted directly without knowing the bulk density of the product and its condition.

Use the figure your supplier gives for this exact product.

Where can I find bulk density?

Ask your quarry, landscape supplier, aggregate supplier or delivery company for the product's bulk density, unit weight, or tons-per-cubic-yard figure.

  • Ask for the loose bulk density if you are ordering loose delivered material.
  • Confirm whether the figure is loose delivered, compacted/in-place, or another condition.
  • Confirm whether “tons” means US short tons or metric tonnes.

Result

Your result will appear here

Enter a quantity and applicable bulk density to calculate the conversion.

How this calculator works

US short tons and metric tonnes measure weight; cubic yards measure volume. To go from one to the other you need the product's bulk density.

Cubic yards = US short tons ÷ Bulk density (US short tons per cubic yard)

US short tons = Cubic yards × Bulk density

For metric: cubic metres = metric tonnes ÷ bulk density (tonnes per cubic metre). Choose any density unit — the calculator converts it with NIST factors.

Converting a supplier’s US short tons to cubic yards

Why there is no shortcut

You may see a rule of thumb that turns US short tons into cubic yards for “gravel”. Different products weigh different amounts per cubic yard, so one factor cannot fit them all. This calculator only converts with the density of your product.

Which way to convert

  • Weight → volume: your supplier quotes or sells by weight and you want to know the volume it will cover.
  • Volume → weight: you have calculated the volume you need and the supplier sells by weight.

Check the unit and the condition

A US short ton (2,000 lb) is not a metric tonne (1,000 kg). And a density measured on loose delivered material gives the loose volume you will receive — not the compacted volume after installation.

Don't know your volume yet? Calculate it with the Gravel Calculator first. For a price, use the Gravel Cost Calculator.

Worked example

Example: 10 US short tons at a supplier density of 1.25 US short tons per cubic yard (loose)

  1. Volume: 10 ÷ 1.25 = 8.00 yd³
  2. In cubic metres: 8.00 × 0.7645549 = 6.12 m³

Result: an estimated 8.00 cubic yards of loose material. The density is an example input, not a gravel value.

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic yards are in a US short ton of gravel?

It depends on the product’s bulk density. Enter 1 US short ton and your supplier’s density to see the answer for that product.

Is a US short ton of gravel always about a cubic yard?

No. Products differ, and the same product weighs more per cubic yard when compacted than when loose. Use your supplier’s figure.

Can I convert metric tonnes to cubic metres?

Yes. Choose metric tonnes for the weight and a metric density unit such as kg/m³ or metric tonnes/m³. The result is shown in cubic metres and cubic yards.

Sources & methodology

Conversions use your density and NIST unit factors. Sources relevant to this page: