Cubic Yards to Tons Calculator
Convert cubic yards to tons (metric, US, long) or tons to cubic yards using material density
Volume ↔ Mass Conversion
Select a material or choose "Custom" to enter your own density
Material density in kilograms per cubic meter
Volume of material in cubic yards
Conversion Results
Calculation: Mass = Density × Volume
Input: 0 cu yd × 1600 kg/m³ = 0.0 kg
Volume in m³: 0.000 m³ (1 cu yd = 0.764555 m³)
💡 Conversion Tips
• Different materials have vastly different densities - always verify the correct density for your specific material
• Wet materials are typically heavier than dry materials due to water content
• Compacted materials have higher density than loose materials
• For construction projects, consult material suppliers for exact densities
Example Calculations
Topsoil Example
Material: Topsoil (1,600 kg/m³)
Volume: 15 cubic yards
Volume in m³: 15 × 0.764555 = 11.468 m³
Mass: 11.468 × 1,600 = 18,349 kg
Result: 18.35 metric tons
Concrete Example
Material: Concrete (2,400 kg/m³)
Volume: 5 cubic yards
Volume in m³: 5 × 0.764555 = 3.823 m³
Mass: 3.823 × 2,400 = 9,175 kg
Result: 9.18 metric tons
Common Material Densities
Volume Conversions
• 0.764555 cubic meters
• 764.555 liters
• 201.974 US gallons
Mass Conversions
• 1.102 US tons
• 0.984 long tons
• 2,204.62 pounds
• 0.907 metric tons
• 2,000 pounds
Understanding Cubic Yards to Tons Conversion
What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard (cu yd) is a unit of volume measurement equal to the volume of a cube with sides of one yard (3 feet) each. It's commonly used in construction and landscaping to measure bulk materials.
Different Types of Tons
- •Metric ton (tonne): 1,000 kg exactly
Most commonly used worldwide - •US ton (short ton): 2,000 pounds = 907.185 kg
Common in the United States - •Long ton (imperial ton): 2,240 pounds = 1,016.047 kg
Used in the UK and some other countries
Conversion Formula
Mass = Density × Volume
(in kg) = (kg/m³) × (m³)
Step 1: Convert Volume
Convert cubic yards to cubic meters:
Volume (m³) = Volume (cu yd) × 0.764555
Step 2: Calculate Mass
Multiply volume by material density:
Mass (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
Step 3: Convert Units
Convert to desired ton units:
Metric tons = kg ÷ 1,000
US tons = kg ÷ 907.185
⚠️ Important Notes
- • Material density varies significantly based on moisture content, compaction, and composition
- • Always use actual density values from your material supplier when possible
- • Loose vs. compacted materials can have 20-30% density differences
- • Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) can affect material density