Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator - Convert Volume to Weight Using Density
Free cubic yards to tons calculator. Convert cubic yards to tons and tons to cubic yards using substance density. Select from food, metals, non-metals, gases, and liquids, or enter custom density. Perfect for construction, landscaping, and material quantity calculations. Real-time calculations with instant results.
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Need a custom volume-to-weight calculator for your platform? Get a Quote
💡 Conversion Formula
Mass = Density × Volume. Enter volume to calculate mass, or enter mass to calculate volume.
Density is automatically set based on selected substance
Conversion Result
Cubic Meters
11.4683 m³
Kilograms
18,349.32 kg
Conversion Facts:
- • 1 cubic yard = 0.764555 cubic meters
- • 1 metric ton = 1,000 kilograms
- • 1 US ton = 907.185 kilograms
- • 1 Imperial ton = 1,016.047 kilograms
- • Formula: Mass = Density × Volume
- • Density varies by substance type
Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator Features
Categories
Food, Metals, Non-metals, Gases, Liquids
Select from predefined substances or enter custom density
Directions
Volume → Mass and Mass → Volume
Enter volume to calculate mass, or enter mass to calculate volume
Ton Units
Metric, US, Imperial
Support for metric tons, US short tons, and Imperial long tons
Formula
Mass = Density × Volume
Uses substance-specific density for accurate weight calculations
Use cases
Concrete, Gravel, Sand, Topsoil
Essential for calculating material quantities in construction and landscaping
Speed
Instant calculations
See results immediately as you enter or change values
Quick Example Result
Converting 15 cubic yards of topsoil to tons:
Input
15 cu yd
Result
18.35 t
How Our Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator Works
Our cubic yards to tons calculator converts between volume (cubic yards) and weight (tons) using substance density. The fundamental formula is: Mass = Density × Volume. This calculator supports multiple substance categories, various volume and mass units, and works bidirectionally - you can calculate mass from volume or volume from mass.
How to Use the Calculator
Step 1: Select Substance Type
Choose the substance category: Food, Metals, Non-metals, Gases, or Liquids. For custom substances, select "Custom" to enter your own density.
Step 2: Select Substance
Choose the specific substance from the dropdown. The density will be automatically set based on your selection. For custom substances, enter the density manually.
Step 3: Enter Volume or Mass
Enter either the volume (in cubic yards or other units) or the mass (in tons or other units). The calculator will automatically calculate the other value. You can also enter both to verify calculations.
Step 4: View Results
Results appear instantly showing the conversion, formula used, and additional unit conversions (cubic meters and kilograms) for reference.
What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard (cu yd) is the volume of a cube with sides measuring 1 yard each. One yard equals 3 feet or 36 inches, which is approximately 0.9144 meters. Therefore, 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.764555 cubic meters.
Cubic Yard Conversions
- • 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- • 1 cubic yard = 0.764555 cubic meters
- • 1 cubic yard = 764.555 liters
- • 1 cubic yard = 201.974 US gallons
- • 1 cubic yard = 46,656 cubic inches
What Does a Ton Mean?
The term "ton" can refer to three different units of mass, which is why it's important to specify which type you're using:
Types of Tons
Metric Ton (Tonne)
Exactly 1,000 kilograms. Used internationally and in most countries outside the US and UK.
US Short Ton
Approximately 907.185 kilograms (2,000 pounds). Commonly used in the United States.
Imperial Long Ton
Approximately 1,016.047 kilograms (2,240 pounds). Used in the United Kingdom.
Formula for Converting Cubic Yards to Tons Using Density
The conversion from cubic yards to tons requires knowing the substance's density. The formula is straightforward:
Conversion Formula
Mass = Density × VolumeStep-by-step process:
- Convert cubic yards to cubic meters: cu yd × 0.764555 = m³
- Multiply by density: m³ × density (kg/m³) = mass (kg)
- Convert to tons: kg ÷ 1,000 = metric tons, or kg ÷ 907.185 = US tons
Example: Convert 15 Cubic Yards of Topsoil to Tons
Topsoil has a density of approximately 1,600 kg/m³. Calculate the mass in metric tons:
Step 1: 15 cu yd × 0.764555 = 11.468 m³Step 2: 11.468 m³ × 1,600 kg/m³ = 18,349 kgStep 3: 18,349 kg ÷ 1,000 = 18.35 metric tonsSo 15 cubic yards of topsoil equals 18.35 metric tons.
Common Substance Densities
Here are typical density values (in kg/m³) for common substances used in construction and landscaping:
| Substance | Density (kg/m³) | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1,000 | Liquids |
| Topsoil | 1,600 | Non-metals |
| Sand | 1,600 | Non-metals |
| Gravel | 1,680 | Non-metals |
| Concrete | 2,400 | Non-metals |
| Steel | 7,850 | Metals |
| Aluminum | 2,700 | Metals |
| Iron | 7,870 | Metals |
Converting Between Different Ton Types
When working with tons, it's crucial to know which type you're using. Here are the conversion factors:
Ton Conversion Factors
Metric Tons
- • 1 t = 1,000 kg
- • 1 t = 1.10231 US tons
- • 1 t = 0.984207 Imperial tons
US Short Tons
- • 1 US ton = 907.185 kg
- • 1 US ton = 0.907185 metric tons
- • 1 US ton = 0.892857 Imperial tons
Imperial Long Tons
- • 1 Imperial ton = 1,016.047 kg
- • 1 Imperial ton = 1.016047 metric tons
- • 1 Imperial ton = 1.12 US tons
Practical Applications
This calculator is essential for various real-world applications:
Construction Projects
Calculate material quantities for concrete, gravel, sand, and other construction materials. Essential for ordering the correct amount of materials and estimating project costs.
Landscaping & Gardening
Determine how much topsoil, mulch, gravel, or sand you need for garden beds, pathways, or landscaping projects. Calculate volumes and weights for delivery planning.
Waste Management
Estimate the weight of waste materials for disposal or recycling. Convert dumpster volumes to weight for proper waste management planning.
Shipping & Logistics
Convert between volume and weight for shipping calculations. Essential for freight pricing, container loading, and transportation planning.
Need other conversion tools? Check out our area converter and length converter.
Get Custom Calculator for Your PlatformCubic Yards to Tons Calculator Examples
Input:
- Substance: Topsoil
- Density: 1,600 kg/m³
- Volume: 15 cu yd
Calculation:
- Convert to m³: 15 × 0.764555 = 11.468 m³
- Calculate mass: 11.468 × 1,600 = 18,349 kg
- Convert to tons: 18,349 ÷ 1,000 = 18.35 t
Result: 15 cu yd of topsoil = 18.35 metric tons
This is a common calculation for landscaping projects requiring topsoil.
Input:
- Substance: Rock (Gravel)
- Density: 1,680 kg/m³
- Mass: 3 US tons
Calculation:
- Convert to kg: 3 × 907.185 = 2,721.56 kg
- Calculate volume: 2,721.56 ÷ 1,680 = 1.62 m³
- Convert to cu yd: 1.62 ÷ 0.764555 = 2.12 cu yd
Result: 3 US tons of rock = 2.12 cubic yards
This represents the volume needed for 3 US tons of gravel/rock.
Input:
- Substance: Mercury
- Density: 13,546 kg/m³
- Mass: 2 metric tons
Calculation:
- Convert to kg: 2 × 1,000 = 2,000 kg
- Calculate volume: 2,000 ÷ 13,546 = 0.148 m³
- Convert to cu yd: 0.148 ÷ 0.764555 = 0.193 cu yd
Result: 2 metric tons of mercury = 0.193 cubic yards
Mercury is very dense, so 2 tons occupies a relatively small volume.
1 cu yd water
=
0.7646 t
1 cu yd concrete
=
1.835 t
1 cu yd steel
=
6.00 t
Frequently Asked Questions
Found This Calculator Helpful?
Share it with others who need to convert cubic yards to tons
Suggested hashtags: #CubicYardsToTons #VolumeToWeight #Construction #Landscaping #Calculator