How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh?
Quick answer: a loose cubic yard of dry gravel weighs about 2,550–2,850 lb (1.3–1.4 tons). Wet gravel is about 3,400 lb (1.7 tons). Crushed stone is about 2,700 lb loose. For ordering, most suppliers and our calculators use about 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Always confirm with your quarry’s scale ticket, because stone type and moisture change the weight.
Gravel is sold by the ton at most quarries and by the yard at many landscape yards, so you often need to convert between the two. Weight depends on the rock (limestone, granite, river gravel), the size range, how much fine material is mixed in, and how wet it is.
Convert any quantity with the yards to tons calculator, or size a project with the gravel calculator.
Gravel weight per cubic yard
Values from Caterpillar’s earthwork reference tables. “Loose” is gravel as delivered or in a pile. “Bank” is undisturbed material in the ground or pit.
| Material | Loose (lb/yd³) | Loose (tons) | Bank (lb/yd³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel, dry | 2,550 | 1.28 | 2,850 |
| Crushed stone | 2,700 | 1.35 | 4,500 |
| Gravel, ¼–2 in, dry | 2,850 | 1.43 | 3,200 |
| Sand & gravel, dry | 2,900 | 1.45 | 3,250 |
| Gravel, pit-run | 3,250 | 1.63 | 3,650 |
| Gravel, ¼–2 in, wet | 3,400 | 1.70 | 3,800 |
| Sand & gravel, wet | 3,400 | 1.70 | 3,750 |
One US ton is 2,000 lb. Crushed stone’s large gap between bank and loose weight is because solid rock expands a lot once it is broken.
Weight of common gravel orders
At the 1.4 tons per cubic yard planning figure:
| Cubic yards | Tons | Pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.4 | 2,800 |
| 5 | 7 | 14,000 |
| 10 | 14 | 28,000 |
| 15 | 21 | 42,000 |
Because gravel is heavy, a tandem dump truck with a 15-ton payload usually carries only about 10–11 yards of it. See how many yards in a dump truck.
Gravel weight per cubic foot and per bag
Divide pounds per cubic yard by 27. Dry gravel at 2,550–2,850 lb/yd³ is about 94–106 lb per cubic foot. A 0.5 cu ft bag of pea gravel or landscape stone typically weighs about 50 lb, which matches the same range.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh in tons?
About 1.3–1.4 tons per loose cubic yard for dry gravel, and up to about 1.7 tons when wet. Most calculators and suppliers use about 1.4 tons per yard for planning.
How much does a yard of gravel weigh in pounds?
Roughly 2,550–2,850 lb per loose cubic yard when dry, and about 3,400 lb when wet.
How many yards of gravel are in a ton?
At 1.4 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards.
Is crushed stone heavier than gravel?
Per loose cubic yard they are similar: about 2,700 lb for crushed stone versus 2,550–2,850 lb for dry gravel. In the solid bank state, stone is much heavier, about 4,500 lb per cubic yard.
Why does my gravel weigh more than the chart?
Moisture, fine material, and dense rock types all add weight. A wet load can weigh hundreds of pounds more per yard, so check the scale ticket from your supplier.
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.