How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh? (Per Cubic Yard and Cubic Foot)
One cubic yard of dry gravel weighs about 2,835 lb (≈1.4 tons); wet gravel about 3,375 lb. See gravel weight per cubic yard and cubic foot, wet vs dry, and why it matters when ordering.
Nestiex Team ·
Short answer: a cubic yard of dry gravel weighs about 2,835 lb, roughly 1.4 tons. Wet gravel weighs about 3,375 lb, roughly 1.7 tons. Both figures come from Engineering ToolBox’s densities:
- dry gravel: 105 lb per cubic foot
- wet gravel: 125 lb per cubic foot
(Engineering ToolBox). A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so 105 × 27 = 2,835 lb.
Knowing the weight matters for three reasons:
- Converting tons to yards when a supplier quotes by the ton.
- Truck and trailer limits when you haul it yourself.
- Estimating bags when you buy by the 50-lb bag.
To get the weight of your exact project, use the gravel weight calculator.
Gravel weight per cubic yard
| Material | lb per cubic foot | lb per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel, dry | 105 | 2,835 | 1.42 |
| Gravel, wet | 125 | 3,375 | 1.69 |
| Sand, dry | 97 | 2,619 | 1.31 |
| Sand, wet | 119 | 3,213 | 1.61 |
Source: Engineering ToolBox densities. lb/yd³ = lb/ft³ × 27. Tons are US short tons (2,000 lb).
Most gravel calculators, including ours, use about 1.4 tons per cubic yard as the default for dry gravel.
How much does 1 yard of gravel weigh?
- Dry: about 2,835 lb (1.42 tons)
- Damp to wet: up to about 3,375 lb (1.69 tons)
Water fills the gaps between stones, which is why the same yard can weigh 500+ lb more after rain. If your supplier stores stone outside, a load bought by the ton after a wet week contains less stone than the same weight bought dry.
How much does gravel weigh per cubic foot?
About 105 lb dry and 125 lb wet. A standard 0.5 ft³ bag of dry gravel therefore weighs roughly 52 lb, which is why retail gravel is usually sold in 40–50 lb bags.
Does pea gravel weigh the same as crushed stone?
Close, but not identical. Weight depends on three things:
- The rock type. Limestone is denser as solid rock: Engineering ToolBox lists solid limestone at 160 lb/ft³.
- How much empty space sits between the stones. Rounded pea gravel and angular crushed stone pack differently.
- Moisture.
Crushed stone with fines (crusher run) packs tighter and usually weighs more per yard than clean stone. If you order by the ton, ask your supplier for their exact figure. Using 1.4 tons per yard is a safe planning number.
Gravel weight in metric
Dry gravel at 105 lb/ft³ equals about 1,680 kg/m³, or 1.68 tonnes per cubic metre (Engineering ToolBox). Wet gravel is about 2,000 kg/m³.
Converting gravel weight to volume
| You know | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic yards → tons | yd³ × 1.4 | 5 yd³ × 1.4 = 7 tons |
| Tons → cubic yards | tons ÷ 1.4 | 10 tons ÷ 1.4 = 7.1 yd³ |
| Cubic feet → lb | ft³ × 105 | 20 ft³ × 105 = 2,100 lb |
| Pounds → cubic feet | lb ÷ 105 | 1,000 lb ÷ 105 = 9.5 ft³ |
See how much a ton of gravel covers for the reverse direction, or use the gravel tons calculator.
Why gravel weight matters
Hauling it yourself
At roughly 2,800 lb dry, a single cubic yard of gravel can exceed the payload of many light pickups and small utility trailers. Check the payload and trailer ratings on your vehicle’s door sticker or manual before you load.
Comparing quotes
If one supplier quotes per ton and another per yard, convert at 1.4 tons per yard to compare like with like. Our gravel cost guide shows typical prices for each unit.
Buying bags
At about 105 lb/ft³, one cubic yard is roughly 57 bags of 50 lb. See how many bags of gravel you need.
Worked example: weight of gravel for a driveway
Driveway: 40 × 10 ft, 4 inches deep.
- Volume: 40 × 10 × (4 ÷ 12) = 133.3 ft³
- Cubic yards: 133.3 ÷ 27 = 4.94 yd³
- Dry weight: 133.3 × 105 = 14,000 lb (7.0 tons)
- If delivered wet: 133.3 × 125 = 16,700 lb (8.3 tons)
The gravel weight calculator lets you switch between dry, wet, pea gravel and crushed stone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh? About 2,835 lb (1.4 tons) dry, and up to about 3,375 lb (1.7 tons) wet.
How much does a cubic foot of gravel weigh? About 105 lb dry and 125 lb wet.
How many tons are in a yard of gravel? About 1.4 tons for typical dry gravel.
How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh? Use the same ~1.4 tons per yard as a planning figure. The exact weight depends on the stone and moisture, so confirm with your supplier.
Sources
- Engineering ToolBox, Dirt and Mud – Densities (gravel dry 105 lb/ft³ / 1,680 kg/m³; gravel wet 125 lb/ft³ / 2,000 kg/m³; sand dry 97, wet 119; limestone 160): engineeringtoolbox.com