Sand Weight and Volume Converter
Convert between Tons, Cubic Yards, and Cubic Meters for various sand and gravel types. Accounts for material conditions (Dry, Wet, Packed) to help with dump truck ordering.
About
Ordering bulk materials for landscaping or construction is often a guessing game between volume (what you need to fill a space) and weight (how the quarry sells it). A Cubic Yard of sand does not have a fixed weight; it fluctuates drastically based on moisture content and compaction. Wet sand can weigh up to 25% more than dry sand due to water retention in the interstitial spaces.
This calculator solves the "Truckload Dilemma" by converting between volume (Cubic Yards/Meters) and Mass (Tons/Metric Tonnes). It distinguishes between Dry, Wet, Loose, and Packed conditions, providing a more realistic estimate than standard generic converters. This ensures that you don"t under-order material for a foundation or overload a transport vehicle beyond its legal weight limit.
Formulas
The relationship between Mass (M), Volume (V), and Density (ρ) is linear but highly dependent on the coefficient ρ determined by the material state.
When converting between systems (e.g., Cubic Yards to Metric Tonnes), additional dimensional analysis factors are applied:
Reference Data
| Material Condition | Density (kg/m³) | Density (lb/yd³) | Tons per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand, Dry (Loose) | 1442 | 2430 | 1.22 |
| Sand, Dry (Packed) | 1682 | 2835 | 1.42 |
| Sand, Wet | 1922 | 3240 | 1.62 |
| Gravel, Dry (1/4 to 2 inch) | 1522 | 2565 | 1.28 |
| Gravel, Wet | 2002 | 3375 | 1.69 |
| Topsoil | 1200 | 2022 | 1.01 |