Gravel weight and density
Every yards-to-tons conversion on this site comes down to one number: density. Here's the reference table, why the numbers differ between materials, and why they'll never be exact for your actual load.
The reference table
| Material | kg/m³ | lb/ft³ | lb/yd³ | tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (loose, dry) | 1,680 | 105 | 2,835 | 1.42 |
| Pea gravel | 1,760 | 110 | 2,970 | 1.49 |
| Crushed stone | 1,700 | 106 | 2,862 | 1.43 |
| Crusher run / road base | 1,900 | 119 | 3,213 | 1.60 |
| Sand (dry) | 1,600 | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| #57 stone (washed) | 1,600 | 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 |
| #67 stone | 1,620 | 101 | 2,727 | 1.37 |
| #4 stone (1½–2½") | 1,500 | 94 | 2,538 | 1.27 |
| #1 stone (2–4") | 1,450 | 91 | 2,454 | 1.23 |
These same figures power every calculator on the site from one shared data file — a density can't silently differ between pages. Generally gravel runs 1.4–1.7 tons per cubic yard depending on type and compaction; our loose, dry values sit in the lower part of that band.
Why the numbers differ
A cubic yard is a box; density asks how much stone you can pack into it. Two things decide that:
- Void space. Uniform round stones leave big gaps — washed #57 is mostly air between pieces. Mixed sizes and crushed faces nest together; fines (crusher run) fill the remaining voids almost solid. That's why crusher run is the heaviest thing on the table per yard.
- Mineral itself. Granite, limestone, and basalt differ in particle density by 10%+, a smaller effect than packing but real.
Why your real load won't match exactly
- Moisture. Water fills the voids. A soaked stockpile can weigh 5–10% more per yard than the same stone dry — and you pay by weight.
- Compaction. Tamping a base squeezes out voids: same weight, less volume — 10–15% for dense-graded bases.
- Gradation. "¾-inch minus" means a range, and every quarry's range differs. Sieve sheets vary batch to batch.
Using the table well
For ordering, the table's job is to convert your plan into the supplier's unit — run the weight calculator for any volume in either direction, or the yards-to-tons converter for the one-way case. Then add the deliberate margin described in what calculators can't know, and treat your quarry's own figures as the final word.
Last updated: September 21, 2026