How Much Does a Cubic Yard Weigh? Concrete, Gravel, Topsoil, Sand, and Mulch
Landscape and building materials are sold by the cubic yard but hauled by weight, so you need both numbers to plan a delivery or a pickup run. This guide answers how much a cubic yard of gravel, concrete, topsoil, sand, and mulch weighs, and how many yards a truck can carry.
Cubic yard weight chart
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Typical weights, which vary with moisture and grading:
| Material | Pounds per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete (wet, normal weight) | 3,900 to 4,050 | About 2.0 |
| Gravel or crushed stone | 2,400 to 2,900 | 1.2 to 1.45 |
| Sand (dry) | 2,600 to 3,000 | 1.3 to 1.5 |
| Sand (wet) | 3,000 to 3,400 | 1.5 to 1.7 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 2,000 to 2,200 | 1.0 to 1.1 |
| Topsoil (wet) | Up to 3,000 | Up to 1.5 |
| Mulch (wood) | 400 to 800 | 0.2 to 0.4 |
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,400 to 2,900 lb, or roughly 1.4 tons for common crushed stone. Pea gravel and washed stone with more voids sit at the light end; dense crusher run with fines sits at the heavy end. To find how many yards a driveway or path needs, use the gravel calculator.
How much does a yard of concrete weigh?
Normal-weight concrete weighs about 145 to 150 lb per cubic foot, so a cubic yard weighs 3,915 to 4,050 lb, about 2 tons. That is why a small pickup cannot carry a full yard of mixed concrete. The concrete calculator gives the yards for a slab, footing, or column.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
Dry topsoil weighs about 2,000 to 2,200 lb per cubic yard. After rain it can reach 3,000 lb, so buy and haul it dry when you can. The topsoil calculator works out the yards and bags for a bed or lawn.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 2,600 to 3,000 lb per cubic yard and wet sand more. For paver bedding and fill, size the order with the sand calculator.
What can a truck carry?
- Half-ton pickup (about 1,500 to 2,000 lb payload): roughly half a yard of gravel or sand, 2 to 3 yards of mulch.
- Three-quarter-ton pickup (about 2,500 to 3,500 lb): about 1 yard of gravel.
- Single-axle dump truck: typically 5 to 8 tons, about 4 to 6 yards of gravel.
Check the payload on your door sticker; a full bed of gravel can overload a light truck long before it looks full.
Common mistakes
- Filling the bed by volume. Heavy materials hit the weight limit first.
- Using dry weights for wet loads. Water adds hundreds of pounds per yard.
- Mixing up tons and yards. Quarries often sell by the ton; convert before ordering.
Quick reference
Gravel about 1.4 tons, concrete about 2 tons, dry topsoil about 1 ton, mulch about 0.3 tons per cubic yard. Work out volumes for any project with an online calculator from CalculateGuide.