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How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh ?

By the ExactYard team · Updated October 2026 · 7 min read

A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 2,800 pounds (1.4 tons) as a round planning figure, and typically falls between 2,400 and 3,400 pounds depending on stone type, stone size and moisture. Below you’ll find a converter, a payload checker, weights for 15 common materials, and a yards-to-tons chart, so you can order the right amount and haul it safely.

Quick answer
1 cubic yard of gravel ≈ 2,800 lb ≈ 1.4 tons

Range: 2,400 to 3,400 lb (1.2 to 1.7 tons). Dry ¾” gravel is about 2,565 lb and soaked gravel about 3,375 lb. One ton covers about 0.71 cubic yards. One cubic foot weighs roughly 90 to 125 lb.

Gravel Weight Converter and Payload Checker

How much will it weigh, and will it fit my truck?

Enter cubic yards and a material. Add your vehicle’s payload to see the most you can safely haul.

Pounds8,400
Short tons4.20
Kilograms3,810
Max yards for payload–

Don’t know your yardage yet? Use the gravel calculator or learn how to calculate cubic yards from square feet.

Weight of Gravel, Rock, Sand and Soil per Cubic Yard

These figures are approximate and rounded, drawn from published industry weight charts and supplier guidance. Always confirm with your supplier, because local stone varies.

MaterialLb per yd³Tons per yd³
Gravel, dry ¾”2,5651.28
Gravel, wet ¾”3,3751.69
Typical gravel (planning figure)2,8001.40
Crushed stone (average)2,7001.35
Road base / crusher runabout 3,000about 1.50
Pea gravel (3/8″)2,7001.35
Crushed limestone2,5651.28
Decomposed graniteabout 2,700about 1.35
Rock, 2 to 6 in3,2001.60
Rip rap, 1 to 4 in4,0002.00
Sand, dry2,7501.38
Sand, wet3,3001.65
Topsoil, loose2,0501.03
Topsoil, wet3,3751.69
Lava rockabout 1,200about 0.60

Dry Gravel vs Wet Gravel

Water sits in the gaps between stones and in the stone’s pores, so a rained-on pile is heavier than the same volume bone dry. Rain-wet piles typically add around 10 to 15% by weight, and gravel soaked all the way through can be about 30% heavier than dry. If you buy by the ton, you pay for that water. If you buy by the yard, the price is the same but your truck carries more.

Weight of one cubic yard of ¾ inch gravel by moisture Dry gravel 2,565 pounds, typical 2,800 pounds, wet gravel 3,375 pounds per cubic yard. Dry2,565 lb Typical2,800 lb Wet3,375
Figure 1: One cubic yard of ¾” gravel, from dry to soaked (bar widths not to a zero baseline).

Why Stone Size and Type Change the Weight

  • Stone size and grading. Smaller, well-graded stone packs tighter with fewer air gaps, so a yard of small gravel or crusher run can weigh more than a yard of uniform large stones. Large rock leaves bigger voids.
  • Rock type. Dense rock such as granite and solid limestone weighs more than the same volume of porous stone. Lava rock is the light extreme.
  • Fines and compaction. Mixes with stone dust settle tighter, and compacted material weighs more per cubic yard than loose material.
  • Where it comes from. Quarries differ. A supplier’s tons-per-yard figure beats any generic chart.

Yards to Tons and Pounds Chart

Cubic yardsPounds (2,800 lb/yd³)Short tons
½ yard1,4000.7
1 yard2,8001.4
2 yards5,6002.8
3 yards8,4004.2
4 yards11,2005.6
5 yards14,0007.0
10 yards28,00014.0
15 yards42,00021.0
20 yards56,00028.0
Tons to yards: divide tons by 1.4. One ton ≈ 0.71 yd³, and across the full 1.2 to 1.7 ton range it is 0.59 to 0.83 yd³. Per cubic foot: about 104 lb at 2,800 lb per yard (a yard holds 27 ft³).

Can Your Truck or Trailer Carry It?

Weight, not space, is the limit. A single yard of gravel is roughly 2,800 lb. Half-ton pickups commonly have payloads of about 1,500 to 2,200 lb, depending on model and options. Your real limit is on the door-jamb sticker, and passengers and gear count against it.

As a rule, divide your payload by the weight per yard. A 1,800 lb payload carries about 0.64 yd³ of typical gravel, which is a little over half a yard even though the bed looks like it could take more. Overloading damages suspension and tires and lengthens braking distance. For a full yard or more, a delivery or a properly rated dump trailer is safer, and a delivered load is usually quoted by the ton.

Ordering by the Yard or by the Ton

Suppliers sell gravel either way. Yards are volume, so the price is the same however wet the pile is. Tons are weight, so the load is scaled and moisture changes the bill. Ask which your supplier uses, ask for their tons-per-yard figure, and add 5 to 10% for waste and 10 to 15% for compacted base layers. Our gravel calculator converts between the two and estimates cost, and the driveway gravel calculator is preset for drives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yard of gravel weigh?

About 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) as a planning figure, with a typical range of 2,400 to 3,400 lb depending on stone type, size and moisture.

How much does half a yard of gravel weigh?

About 1,400 lb (0.7 tons) at 2,800 lb per yard. In practice it falls between roughly 1,200 and 1,700 lb.

How many yards are in a ton of gravel?

About 0.71 cubic yards at 2,800 lb per yard. Lighter dry gravel gives a bit more per ton, and heavier or wetter gravel gives less.

How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?

Roughly 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) per cubic yard, with moisture moving it up or down a few hundred pounds.

Does wet gravel weigh more than dry gravel?

Yes. Rain-wet gravel is often 10 to 15% heavier, and gravel soaked through can be about 30% heavier. ¾” gravel is roughly 2,565 lb per yard dry and 3,375 lb soaked.

How much does a cubic foot of gravel weigh?

Roughly 90 to 125 lb, with about 104 lb as a typical figure.

Can a half-ton pickup carry a yard of gravel?

Usually not safely. A yard is about 2,800 lb and many half-ton pickups have payloads between about 1,500 and 2,200 lb. Check your door-jamb sticker and haul less than a yard, or order a delivery.

Does crushed stone weigh the same as pea gravel?

They are close. Crushed stone averages about 2,700 lb per yard and pea gravel about 2,700 lb, but road base with fines can run nearer 3,000 lb.

Method and sources: weights are rounded planning figures compiled from published industry material-weight charts (EPA and NTEA-referenced) and aggregate supplier guidance. Actual weight varies by quarry, grading and moisture. Use your supplier’s figure for purchases and your vehicle’s rated payload for hauling.

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