Gravel weight reference
How much does a yard of gravel weigh?
One cubic yard of pea gravel at 105 lb/ft³ weighs 2,835 lb, or 1.4175 US short tons. That is about 1.42 US short tons.
In a bulk gravel quote, a yard means one cubic yard. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, the volume of a cube 3 feet on each side. A linear yard measures length. Weight depends on the material and its bulk density. Find your material in the table below.
Estimate your project's cubic yards with the gravel calculatorWeight of one cubic yard by material
The table uses the same bulk-density estimates as the gravel calculator. Each row shows the density used to calculate weight and the material's typical density range. Bulk density includes the gaps between stones. It differs from laboratory particle density, which measures solid rock. These estimates are not guaranteed shipment weights. The table rounds pounds to whole numbers and US short tons to two decimal places.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare every column.
| Material | Assumed density, lb/ft³ | Density range, lb/ft³ | Pounds / yd³ | US short tons / yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 105 | 100–110 lb/ft³ | 2,835 | 1.42 |
| Crushed stone | 110 | 100–120 lb/ft³ | 2,970 | 1.49 |
| Driveway gravel | 115 | 110–125 lb/ft³ | 3,105 | 1.55 |
| Gravel fill | 115 | 105–125 lb/ft³ | 3,105 | 1.55 |
| Limestone | 95 | 90–100 lb/ft³ | 2,565 | 1.28 |
| River rock | 100 | 90–110 lb/ft³ | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| Decomposed granite | 105 | 100–110 lb/ft³ | 2,835 | 1.42 |
| Lava rock | 50 | 40–60 lb/ft³ | 1,350 | 0.68 |
| Marble chips | 95 | 90–105 lb/ft³ | 2,565 | 1.28 |
Why a yard of gravel can weigh more or less
Bulk density is the weight of a pile divided by its volume, including the spaces between stones. Use this density for a yard-based order. The calculator uses a pea gravel range of 100–110 lb/ft³. Each material in the table has its own range.
Moisture adds water weight. Grading changes the mix of stone sizes and fines, which affects how the gaps fill. Packing reduces the spaces between stones. A cubic yard of packed material can weigh more than a cubic yard of loose material. Packing alone does not add weight to the same stones.
Ask your quarry for the product's bulk density and whether it describes dry or wet material. Use that density to compare a per-yard quote with a per-ton quote. Check the scale ticket for the actual shipment weight.
Worked example: two cubic yards of pea gravel
For 2 cubic yards of pea gravel at 105 lb/ft³, calculate the weight as follows:
- 2 yd³ × 27 ft³/yd³ = 54 ft³.
- 54 ft³ × 105 lb/ft³ = 5,670 lb.
- 5,670 lb ÷ 2,000 lb/US short ton = 2.835 US short tons.
The estimated load weighs 5,670 lb, or approximately 2.84 US short tons. For a different quantity, multiply its cubic yards by the pounds-per-yard value at your supplier's density. Round the total after calculating the weight.
Compare the load weight with your vehicle's payload rating. Check the payload label and manufacturer specifications. Passengers, tools, and other cargo also count toward the payload. Confirm the actual gravel weight with the supplier before loading.
Find the cubic yards your project needs
Use the gravel calculator to turn area and depth into cubic yards, pounds, and US short tons. For a rounded-stone path or patio, the pea gravel calculator adds project depths and coverage figures. The volume and weight formulas and area-to-volume table explain how square footage becomes an order quantity.