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A cubic yard of typical 3/4″ gravel weighs about 2,800 pounds, or 1.4 US tons. That is the number to remember – but the real range runs from around 2,600 lb for pea gravel to 3,400 lb for dense crusher run, and wet gravel can add another 10%. Here is the full picture.
Gravel weight per cubic yard by type
| Material | lb per cubic yard | US tons per yd³ | kg per m³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel (3/8″) | 2,600 | 1.30 | 1,540 |
| 3/4″ gravel / #57 crushed stone | 2,835 | 1.42 | 1,680 |
| River rock 1–3″ | 2,700 | 1.35 | 1,600 |
| Crushed limestone | 2,700 | 1.35 | 1,600 |
| Crushed granite | 2,835 | 1.42 | 1,680 |
| Stone dust / screenings | 2,700 | 1.35 | 1,600 |
| Crusher run / #411 / ABC (dense) | 3,375 | 1.69 | 2,000 |
| Recycled concrete | 2,565 | 1.28 | 1,520 |
| Lava rock | 1,350 | 0.68 | 800 |
| Wet gravel (any type) | +5–10% | – | – |
Loose bulk weights as delivered. 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; tons per yd³ = lb/ft³ × 27 ÷ 2,000.
Why the weight varies
- Voids. A yard of gravel is roughly 35–40% air. Round, uniform pea gravel has more air between stones than angular crushed stone, so it weighs less. Crusher run has fines that fill the gaps, so it weighs most.
- Rock type. Granite and basalt are denser than limestone and sandstone; lava rock is full of bubbles and weighs half as much.
- Moisture. Water sits in the voids. A yard of gravel after heavy rain can weigh 200–300 lb more than the same yard dry – which matters if you are buying by the ton.
- Compaction. Weight per yard goes up once gravel is compacted because the same stone occupies less space. That is why base layers are ordered with a 15–20% allowance.
Cubic yards to tons – quick conversions
| Cubic yards | Pea gravel (1.3) | 3/4″ gravel (1.42) | Crusher run (1.69) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 yd³ | 0.65 tons | 0.71 tons | 0.84 tons |
| 1 yd³ | 1.3 tons | 1.42 tons | 1.69 tons |
| 2 yd³ | 2.6 tons | 2.84 tons | 3.38 tons |
| 3 yd³ | 3.9 tons | 4.26 tons | 5.07 tons |
| 5 yd³ | 6.5 tons | 7.1 tons | 8.45 tons |
| 10 yd³ | 13 tons | 14.2 tons | 16.9 tons |
Going the other way: 1 ton of 3/4″ gravel is about 0.7 cubic yards (19 cubic feet), which covers about 76 sq ft at 3″ deep.
Will it fit in my truck?
This is where yard weight becomes practical. A half-ton pickup is rated for roughly 1,500–2,000 lb of payload including passengers – a single yard of gravel (2,800 lb) exceeds that. A three-quarter-ton truck can usually take one yard; a one-ton truck one and a half yards. A 6 × 10 ft single-axle utility trailer rated for 3,000 lb takes about one yard. For anything over two yards, delivery is safer and usually cheaper than multiple trips.
Other common weights
- 1 cubic foot of gravel: about 105 lb (3/4″) or 96 lb (pea gravel)
- A 0.5 cu ft bag: about 50 lb
- A 5-gallon bucket (0.67 cu ft): about 70 lb
- A standard wheelbarrow (6 cu ft, heaped): about 600 lb – roughly 4.5 loads to a yard
- A cubic metre of gravel: about 1,680 kg (1.68 tonnes)
Get yards, tons and bags for your exact area – the calculator applies the right weight for each gravel type automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons is 2 yards of gravel?
About 2.8 tons for 3/4″ gravel (2 × 1.42), 2.6 tons for pea gravel, or 3.4 tons for crusher run.
How many yards is a ton of gravel?
About 0.7 cubic yards (1 ÷ 1.42) for 3/4″ gravel. A ton of pea gravel is 0.77 yards; a ton of crusher run is 0.59 yards.
How much does a yard of wet gravel weigh?
Roughly 5–10% more than dry – about 3,000–3,100 lb for 3/4″ gravel. Fine materials like stone dust and sand hold more water and can gain 15–20%.
How much does half a yard of gravel weigh?
About 1,400 lb (0.7 tons) for 3/4″ gravel, or 1,300 lb for pea gravel. That is still too much for most half-ton pickups in one trip.
