How Much Does a Yard of Dirt Weigh?
Quick answer: a cubic yard of excavated dirt weighs about 2,100–2,800 lb (1.05–1.4 tons) loose, depending on soil type and moisture. The same dirt in the ground (bank state) weighs about 2,600–3,500 lb per cubic yard. Topsoil is lighter, about 1,600 lb (0.8 ton) per loose cubic yard. For quick planning, many estimators use about 1.2 tons per cubic yard.
Dirt has no single weight. A cubic yard of dry, fluffy loam and a cubic yard of wet, sticky clay can differ by 700 lb or more. Two things matter most: what the soil is (clay, loam, sand, topsoil) and what state it is in: undisturbed in the ground, loose in a truck, or compacted as fill.
If you already know the volume, the yards to tons calculator converts it with the density you choose, and the fill dirt calculator handles volume and tons together.
Dirt weight per cubic yard by soil type
Values from Caterpillar’s earthwork reference tables. “Bank” is soil in its natural, undisturbed state. “Loose” is soil after it has been dug and loaded.
| Material | Loose (lb/yd³) | Loose (tons) | Bank (lb/yd³) | Bank (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 1,600 | 0.80 | 2,300 | 1.15 |
| Earth, loam | 2,100 | 1.05 | 2,600 | 1.30 |
| Clay and gravel, dry | 2,400 | 1.20 | 2,800 | 1.40 |
| Clay, dry | 2,500 | 1.25 | 3,100 | 1.55 |
| Earth, dry packed | 2,550 | 1.28 | 3,200 | 1.60 |
| Earth, wet excavated | 2,700 | 1.35 | 3,400 | 1.70 |
| Clay, wet | 2,800 | 1.40 | 3,500 | 1.75 |
| Sand, dry loose | 2,400 | 1.20 | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Sand, wet | 3,100 | 1.55 | 3,500 | 1.75 |
| Gravel, ¼–2 in, dry | 2,850 | 1.43 | 3,200 | 1.60 |
One US ton is 2,000 lb. Real weights vary with moisture, rock content, and grain size, so treat these as planning numbers and check a scale ticket when weight matters.
Why the same dirt weighs different amounts
- Bank vs. loose. Digging adds air between particles. The soil takes up more space (swell), so each loose cubic yard holds less soil and weighs less. See the soil swell factor table.
- Moisture. Water is heavy. In the table above, wet earth and wet clay weigh about 150–300 lb more per cubic yard than the same soils dry.
- Soil type. Topsoil holds organic matter and is light. Clay and wet sand are dense.
- Rock content. Rocky fill weighs more than screened soil.
Weight of common amounts of dirt
Using the 1.2 tons (2,400 lb) per cubic yard planning figure:
| Cubic yards | Pounds | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,400 | 1.2 |
| 5 | 12,000 | 6 |
| 10 | 24,000 | 12 |
| 14 | 33,600 | 16.8 |
Dirt weight per cubic foot and per bucket
Divide pounds per cubic yard by 27 to get pounds per cubic foot. Loose loam at 2,100 lb/yd³ is about 78 lb per cubic foot. Wet clay at 2,800 lb/yd³ is about 104 lb/ft³, and topsoil at 1,600 lb/yd³ is about 59 lb/ft³.
A 5-gallon bucket holds about 0.67 ft³, so a full bucket of loose loam weighs roughly 52 lb.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of dirt weigh in tons?
About 1.05–1.4 tons per loose cubic yard for most excavated soils, and about 1.3–1.75 tons per cubic yard in the ground. Topsoil is lighter, about 0.8 ton per loose cubic yard.
How much does a yard of dirt weigh in pounds?
Roughly 2,100–2,800 lb per loose cubic yard for common earth and clay, and about 1,600 lb for topsoil. In-place (bank) soil is heavier, about 2,600–3,500 lb.
How much does a yard of wet dirt weigh?
Wet excavated earth weighs about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) per loose cubic yard and about 3,400 lb in place. Wet clay is about 2,800 lb loose and 3,500 lb in place.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
About 1,600 lb (0.8 ton) per loose cubic yard and about 2,300 lb (1.15 tons) in place, according to Caterpillar’s reference tables. Moisture and organic content change this.
How many cubic yards of dirt are in a ton?
At 1.2 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 0.83 cubic yards. For light topsoil at 0.8 ton per yard, one ton is about 1.25 cubic yards.
Related calculators and guides
Sources
Updated: October 17, 2026 by the YardsCalculator editorial team. Figures are planning estimates; confirm weights, truck capacity, and prices with local suppliers and haulers.