How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh?
A cubic yard of most gravel types weighs between 2,700 and 3,000 lbs. The exact weight depends on the stone type — denser stone like limestone is heavier than river rock or pea gravel.
🧮Gravel Calculator — cubic yards and tons for your project
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Weight by stone type
| Stone type | Lbs per cu yd | Tons per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 2,800 lbs | 1.40 tons |
| Crushed stone (3/4”) | 2,800 lbs | 1.40 tons |
| Crushed limestone | 3,000 lbs | 1.50 tons |
| River rock (1–3”) | 2,700 lbs | 1.35 tons |
| Decomposed granite | 2,700 lbs | 1.35 tons |
Source: Aggregate industry supplier standards. Values represent dry weight; wet or compacted material may vary.
Quick conversion: cubic yards → tons
| Cu yd | Pea gravel / crushed stone (1.40) | Crushed limestone (1.50) | River rock (1.35) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.70 tons | 0.75 tons | 0.68 tons |
| 1.0 | 1.40 tons | 1.50 tons | 1.35 tons |
| 2.0 | 2.80 tons | 3.00 tons | 2.70 tons |
| 5.0 | 7.00 tons | 7.50 tons | 6.75 tons |
Quick conversion: tons → cubic yards
| Tons | Pea gravel / crushed (1.40) | Limestone (1.50) | River rock (1.35) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | 0.71 cu yd | 0.67 cu yd | 0.74 cu yd |
| 2 tons | 1.43 cu yd | 1.33 cu yd | 1.48 cu yd |
| 5 tons | 3.57 cu yd | 3.33 cu yd | 3.70 cu yd |
Use the Gravel Calculator to get exact tons and cubic yards for your project dimensions and stone type.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of pea gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of pea gravel weighs approximately 2,800 lbs (1.40 tons). Weight can vary slightly with moisture content.
How much does a cubic yard of crushed limestone weigh?
Crushed limestone is one of the denser common gravels at approximately 3,000 lbs (1.50 tons) per cubic yard.
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
For most gravel (1.40 t/cu yd), 1 ton equals about 0.71 cubic yards. For denser crushed limestone (1.50 t/cu yd), 1 ton is about 0.67 cubic yards.
Why does my supplier quote gravel in tons, not yards?
Bulk aggregate suppliers typically sell by weight (tons) because gravel is weighed on a truck scale at delivery. Tons are more precise than estimating cubic yards in a pile. Our calculator converts between both.