Calculate Tons to Yards

Tons to Cubic Yards Converter

function toggleCustomDensity() { var materialType = document.getElementById("materialType").value; var customDensityRow = document.getElementById("customDensityRow"); if (materialType === "custom") { customDensityRow.style.display = "block"; } else { customDensityRow.style.display = "none"; document.getElementById("customDensity").value = ""; // Clear custom density if not custom } } function calculateTonsToYards() { var tonsInput = document.getElementById("tonsInput").value; var materialType = document.getElementById("materialType").value; var customDensity = document.getElementById("customDensity").value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result"); var tons = parseFloat(tonsInput); var density_lbs_per_cuft; if (isNaN(tons) || tons <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid weight in tons (a positive number)."; return; } if (materialType === "") { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please select a material type or choose 'Custom Material'."; return; } if (materialType === "custom") { density_lbs_per_cuft = parseFloat(customDensity); if (isNaN(density_lbs_per_cuft) || density_lbs_per_cuft <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid custom density (lbs/cu ft)."; return; } } else { switch (materialType) { case "gravel": density_lbs_per_cuft = 95; // lbs/cu ft break; case "sand": density_lbs_per_cuft = 100; // lbs/cu ft break; case "topsoil": density_lbs_per_cuft = 75; // lbs/cu ft break; case "concrete_crushed": density_lbs_per_cuft = 110; // lbs/cu ft break; case "asphalt_crushed": density_lbs_per_cuft = 110; // lbs/cu ft break; case "dirt_fill": density_lbs_per_cuft = 80; // lbs/cu ft break; default: resultDiv.innerHTML = "An unexpected error occurred with material selection."; return; } } // Conversion factors: // 1 ton = 2000 pounds // 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet // Total weight in pounds = tons * 2000 var totalWeightLbs = tons * 2000; // Volume in cubic feet = totalWeightLbs / density_lbs_per_cuft var volumeCuFt = totalWeightLbs / density_lbs_per_cuft; // Volume in cubic yards = volumeCuFt / 27 var cubicYards = volumeCuFt / 27; resultDiv.innerHTML = "Result: " + cubicYards.toFixed(2) + " cubic yards"; }

Understanding Tons to Cubic Yards Conversion

When working with bulk materials like gravel, sand, topsoil, or crushed concrete for landscaping, construction, or gardening projects, you often encounter measurements in both weight (tons) and volume (cubic yards). Converting between these two units is crucial for accurate ordering, budgeting, and project planning.

Why is Density Important?

Unlike converting units of the same type (e.g., feet to meters), converting weight to volume (or vice-versa) is not a simple fixed ratio. This is because different materials have different densities. Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. For example, a ton of feathers would take up much more space (cubic yards) than a ton of steel, because feathers are far less dense than steel.

For bulk materials, density is typically expressed in pounds per cubic foot (lbs/cu ft) or pounds per cubic yard (lbs/cu yd). Our calculator uses pounds per cubic foot as a common standard.

The Conversion Formula

To convert tons to cubic yards, we use the following steps, which are incorporated into the calculator above:

1. Convert Tons to Pounds: Since 1 ton equals 2,000 pounds, multiply your total tons by 2,000.
2. Calculate Volume in Cubic Feet: Divide the total weight in pounds by the material's density in pounds per cubic foot. This gives you the volume in cubic feet.
3. Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards: Since 1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet, divide the volume in cubic feet by 27 to get the final volume in cubic yards.

The combined formula looks like this:

Cubic Yards = (Weight in Tons × 2000 lbs/ton) / (Density in lbs/cu ft × 27 cu ft/cu yd)

Examples of Use:

Example 1: Calculating Gravel Needed

You need to order 15 tons of gravel for a driveway project. The average density of gravel is approximately 95 lbs/cu ft.

• Weight in Pounds: 15 tons × 2000 lbs/ton = 30,000 lbs
• Volume in Cubic Feet: 30,000 lbs / 95 lbs/cu ft = 315.79 cu ft
• Volume in Cubic Yards: 315.79 cu ft / 27 cu ft/cu yd = 11.69 cubic yards

Using the calculator, select "Gravel" and enter "15" for tons, and you'll get approximately 11.69 cubic yards.

Example 2: Ordering Topsoil

You've estimated you need 20 tons of topsoil for your garden beds. Topsoil typically has a density of around 75 lbs/cu ft.

• Weight in Pounds: 20 tons × 2000 lbs/ton = 40,000 lbs
• Volume in Cubic Feet: 40,000 lbs / 75 lbs/cu ft = 533.33 cu ft
• Volume in Cubic Yards: 533.33 cu ft / 27 cu ft/cu yd = 19.75 cubic yards

The calculator would show about 19.75 cubic yards when you input 20 tons and select "Topsoil".

Example 3: Custom Material (Crushed Brick)

You have 5 tons of crushed brick, and you found its specific density is 105 lbs/cu ft.

• Weight in Pounds: 5 tons × 2000 lbs/ton = 10,000 lbs
• Volume in Cubic Feet: 10,000 lbs / 105 lbs/cu ft = 95.24 cu ft
• Volume in Cubic Yards: 95.24 cu ft / 27 cu ft/cu yd = 3.53 cubic yards

For this, you would select "Custom Material" and enter "105" in the custom density field, along with 5 tons.

Always remember that material densities can vary slightly based on moisture content, compaction, and specific composition. The values provided in the calculator are averages, so it's always a good idea to confirm with your supplier if precise measurements are critical for your project.