Short answer: A cubic yard of crushed stone weighs about 1.4 tons, or roughly 2,800 pounds, so one ton covers about 0.71 cubic yards. Other materials range from about 1.35 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Cubic yards per ton | Sq ft covered per ton at 3 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed stone | 1.4 | 0.71 | 77 |
| Pea gravel | 1.4 | 0.71 | 77 |
| River rock | 1.35 | 0.74 | 80 |
| Road base | 1.5 | 0.67 | 72 |
| Sand | 1.35 | 0.74 | 80 |
Why the weight varies
Stone type, size, moisture and how tightly it packs all change the weight. Dense road base weighs more than rounded river rock. Wet gravel can be noticeably heavier than dry gravel, so treat these as planning figures.
Converting between tons and yards
Suppliers may sell by the ton or by the cubic yard. To go from yards to tons, multiply by the tons per yard for your material. To go the other way, divide. The calculator does both and also adds an allowance for settling.
Worked example
A path of 200 sq ft covered 3 inches deep needs 50 cubic feet, which is 1.85 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard that is about 2.6 tons of crushed stone, before any extra for settling.
Use the Gravel CalculatorEnter your own measurements and get an exact amount.
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds are in a cubic yard of gravel?
About 2,800 pounds for crushed stone at 1.4 tons per yard.
How much does a ton of gravel cover?
About 77 square feet at 3 inches deep for crushed stone, or about 58 square feet at 4 inches.
Can my pickup carry a cubic yard of gravel?
Often not safely. A yard of gravel weighs well over a ton, so check your vehicle payload rating or have it delivered.
Related calculators
Figures are typical planning values. Material sizes, densities and local requirements vary, so confirm with your supplier before ordering.
Last updated October 11, 2026.