Tons ↔ Cubic Feet Converter — Gravel · Sand · Soil · Mulch · Concrete · 30+ Materials

Cubic Feet Per Ton

Tons to Cubic Feet Converter — Gravel, Sand, Soil, Mulch & 30+ Materials

✅ Quick Answer: Cubic Feet Per Ton

Gravel (crushed stone): ~18–20 ft³/ton

Sand (dry): ~17–18 ft³/ton

Topsoil: ~18–22 ft³/ton

Mulch (wood chips): ~54–67 ft³/ton

Concrete: ~12–13 ft³/ton

Asphalt: ~13–14 ft³/ton

Formula: ft³ = tons × 2,000 ÷ density(lb/ft³)

Converting tons to cubic feet requires knowing the material's density. Our free tons to cubic feet calculator includes a database of 30+ common materials — gravel, sand, topsoil, mulch, concrete, asphalt, rock, and more. Select your material, enter the weight in tons or cubic feet, and get instant conversion to cubic yards, pounds and kilograms.

🪨 Gravel & Stone🏖️ Sand🌱 Soil🌿 Mulch🏗️ Concrete

Gravel ≈ 20 ft³/ton

Sand ≈ 17 ft³/ton

Topsoil ≈ 20 ft³/ton

Formula: tons × 2,000 ÷ lb/ft³

Tons to Cubic Feet Calculator

Convert tons to cubic feet, cubic feet to tons, and cubic yards to tons using material density.

Step 1: Select Material

Step 2: Enter Weight

Tons

🪨 Gravel & Stone🏖️ Sand & Aggregate🌱 Soil & Dirt🌿 Mulch & Organic🏗️ Concrete & Masonry📦 Other Materials

Conversion Results

1 ton of Gravel, crushed stone

Cubic feet

20 ft³

Cubic yards

0.741 yd³

Pounds

2,000 lbs

Kilograms

907.2 kg

Material density used: 100 lb/ft³ = 1601.8 kg/m³ = 1.35 tons/yd³

Reverse check: 20 ft³ of Gravel, crushed stone = 1 short tons ✅

Bulk quantity reference

Tons	ft³	yd³
1	20	0.74
2	40	1.48
5	100	3.7
10	200	7.41

Cubic Feet Per Ton — Top Materials Quick Reference

Most commonly searched material conversions

How Many Cubic Feet Per Ton? — Most Common Materials

Material	lb/ft³	ft³/ton	yd³/ton	tons/yd³
Gravel, crushed stone	100	20	0.74	1.35
Pea gravel	90	22.2	0.82	1.22
Sand, dry packed	118	16.9	0.63	1.59
Sand, wet	130	15.4	0.57	1.75
Topsoil, dry	100	20	0.74	1.35
Topsoil, moist	110	18.2	0.67	1.49
Fill dirt, dry	95	21.1	0.78	1.28
Wood chip mulch	30	66.7	2.47	0.41
Shredded bark mulch	25	80	2.96	0.34
Concrete, mixed	150	13.3	0.49	2.02
Asphalt, compacted	145	13.8	0.51	1.96
Limestone, crushed	95	21.1	0.78	1.28
River rock / cobble	95	21.1	0.78	1.28

Tons to Cubic Feet Formula

ft³ = tons × 2,000 ÷ density(lb/ft³)

Reverse: tons = ft³ × density(lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000

Example: 1 ton gravel = 20 ft³, while 1 ton mulch = 67 ft³. Same weight, 3.3× different volume.

ft³ Per Ton — Top 10 Materials

Gravel 20, dry sand 17, topsoil 20, fill dirt 21, limestone 21, river rock 21, concrete 13, asphalt 14, wood chips 67, bark mulch 80 ft³/ton.

Short Ton vs Long Ton vs Metric Ton

Short ton (US) = 2,000 lbs. Long ton = 2,240 lbs. Metric ton = 2,204.6 lbs. In the US, ton almost always means short ton.

Material Density Database — Cubic Feet Per Ton for 30+ Materials

Complete density reference for landscaping, construction and bulk materials

🪨 Gravel & Stone

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	ft³ per ton	yd³ per ton	tons per yd³
Gravel, loose dry	95	21.1 ft³	0.78 yd³	1.28
Gravel, crushed stone	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35
Gravel, wet	105	19 ft³	0.71 yd³	1.42
Pea gravel	90	22.2 ft³	0.82 yd³	1.22
River rock / cobble	95	21.1 ft³	0.78 yd³	1.28
Limestone, crushed	95	21.1 ft³	0.78 yd³	1.28
Limestone, solid	160	12.5 ft³	0.46 yd³	2.16
Granite, crushed	103	19.4 ft³	0.72 yd³	1.39
Granite, solid	168	11.9 ft³	0.44 yd³	2.27
Sandstone	145	13.8 ft³	0.51 yd³	1.96
Basalt, crushed	108	18.5 ft³	0.69 yd³	1.46
Slag, crushed	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35

🏖️ Sand & Aggregate

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	ft³ per ton	yd³ per ton	tons per yd³
Sand, dry loose	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35
Sand, dry packed	118	16.9 ft³	0.63 yd³	1.59
Sand, wet	130	15.4 ft³	0.57 yd³	1.75
Sand, wet packed	135	14.8 ft³	0.55 yd³	1.82
Mason sand	115	17.4 ft³	0.64 yd³	1.55
Play sand	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35
Coarse aggregate	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35
Fine aggregate	110	18.2 ft³	0.67 yd³	1.49
Crushed concrete	75	26.7 ft³	0.99 yd³	1.01
Road base (compacted)	130	15.4 ft³	0.57 yd³	1.75

🌱 Soil & Dirt

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	ft³ per ton	yd³ per ton	tons per yd³
Topsoil, dry	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35
Topsoil, moist	110	18.2 ft³	0.67 yd³	1.49
Topsoil, wet	120	16.7 ft³	0.62 yd³	1.62
Fill dirt, dry	95	21.1 ft³	0.78 yd³	1.28
Fill dirt, moist	105	19 ft³	0.71 yd³	1.42
Clay, dry	100	20 ft³	0.74 yd³	1.35
Clay, wet	130	15.4 ft³	0.57 yd³	1.75
Loam	80	25 ft³	0.93 yd³	1.08
Peat / compost	30	66.7 ft³	2.47 yd³	0.41
Silt	85	23.5 ft³	0.87 yd³	1.15

🌿 Mulch & Organic

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	ft³ per ton	yd³ per ton	tons per yd³
Wood chip mulch	30	66.7 ft³	2.47 yd³	0.41
Shredded bark mulch	25	80 ft³	2.96 yd³	0.34
Rubber mulch	50	40 ft³	1.48 yd³	0.68
Straw mulch	15	133.3 ft³	4.94 yd³	0.2
Compost	30	66.7 ft³	2.47 yd³	0.41
Sawdust, dry	15	133.3 ft³	4.94 yd³	0.2
Wood pellets	45	44.4 ft³	1.65 yd³	0.61
Leaves, dry loose	5	400 ft³	14.81 yd³	0.07
Leaves, wet	25	80 ft³	2.96 yd³	0.34

🏗️ Concrete & Masonry

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	ft³ per ton	yd³ per ton	tons per yd³
Concrete, mixed	150	13.3 ft³	0.49 yd³	2.02
Concrete, broken	75	26.7 ft³	0.99 yd³	1.01
Asphalt, compacted	145	13.8 ft³	0.51 yd³	1.96
Asphalt, loose	80	25 ft³	0.93 yd³	1.08
Brick, common	120	16.7 ft³	0.62 yd³	1.62
Brick, broken	75	26.7 ft³	0.99 yd³	1.01
Mortar	135	14.8 ft³	0.55 yd³	1.82
Cement, Portland	94	21.3 ft³	0.79 yd³	1.27
Cinder block	87	23 ft³	0.85 yd³	1.17
Drywall / gypsum	50	40 ft³	1.48 yd³	0.68

📦 Other Materials

Material	Density (lb/ft³)	ft³ per ton	yd³ per ton	tons per yd³
Coal, anthracite	55	36.4 ft³	1.35 yd³	0.74
Coal, bituminous	50	40 ft³	1.48 yd³	0.68
Ice	57	35.1 ft³	1.3 yd³	0.77
Water	62.4	32.1 ft³	1.19 yd³	0.84
Snow, fresh	8	250 ft³	9.26 yd³	0.11
Snow, packed	30	66.7 ft³	2.47 yd³	0.41
Steel / iron	490	4.1 ft³	0.15 yd³	6.62
Aluminum	165	12.1 ft³	0.45 yd³	2.23
Wood, oak	45	44.4 ft³	1.65 yd³	0.61
Wood, pine	30	66.7 ft³	2.47 yd³	0.41

How to Convert Tons to Cubic Feet — Step by Step

The formula, the math, and why material density is the key

The Tons to Cubic Feet Formula

Step 1: choose ton type — short ton 2,000 lbs, long ton 2,240 lbs, metric ton 2,204.6 lbs.

Step 2: find material density in lb/ft³ from the table or supplier.

Step 3: apply ft³ = tons × lbs_per_ton ÷ density.

Step 4: divide by 27 for cubic yards.

Density matters: steel is 490 lb/ft³, concrete 150, gravel 100, mulch 30, straw 15.

Worked Examples

Gravel: 5 tons × 2,000 ÷ 100 = 100 ft³ = 3.70 yd³

Topsoil: 3 tons × 2,000 ÷ 110 = 54.5 ft³ = 2.02 yd³

Mulch reverse: 100 ft³ × 30 ÷ 2,000 = 1.5 tons

Sand yd³ → tons: 2 yd³ × 27 × 118 ÷ 2,000 = 3.19 tons

Material Guide — Density, Cubic Feet Per Ton & Buying Tips

What to know before ordering bulk materials by the ton

🪨 Gravel & Crushed Stone

Typical density is 90–110 lb/ft³, or about 18–22 ft³/ton. Crushed stone averages 20.0 ft³/ton and 1 yd³ is about 1.35 tons. Coverage at 2 inches is about 120 ft² per ton; at 4 inches, about 60 ft² per ton.

🏖️ Sand

Sand ranges from 100–135 lb/ft³. Dry packed sand is about 16.9 ft³/ton, while wet sand is about 15.4 ft³/ton. Moisture matters because wet sand weighs more but provides less volume per ton.

🌱 Topsoil & Fill Dirt

Topsoil and fill dirt usually range from 95–120 lb/ft³, or 16.7–21.1 ft³/ton. Topsoil is often sold by cubic yard, so ask for moisture content when comparing ton pricing to yard pricing.

🌿 Mulch & Organic Materials

Mulch is very light: wood chips are about 66.7 ft³/ton and shredded bark about 80.0 ft³/ton. Mulch is almost always sold by cubic yard because density changes heavily with moisture and age.

🏗️ Concrete & Asphalt

Mixed concrete is about 150 lb/ft³, only 13.3 ft³/ton. Hot mix asphalt is about 145 lb/ft³, or 13.8 ft³/ton. Broken concrete and loose asphalt are less dense because of air gaps.

📊 Why Density Varies

Moisture, compaction, particle size, and material form all change density. Dry sand may be 100 lb/ft³ while wet packed sand can be 135 lb/ft³. Always use supplier density for final orders.

Tons to Cubic Feet — Real-World Calculations

Six practical examples for landscaping and construction projects

🪨 Gravel Driveway

A 20×40 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs 266.7 ft³, or 9.88 yd³. At 100 lb/ft³, tons = 266.7 × 100 ÷ 2,000 = 13.3 tons. Add 10% waste and order about 15 tons.

🌱 Topsoil for Garden Beds

Five 4×8×1 ft raised beds need 160 ft³, or 5.93 yd³. Moist topsoil at 110 lb/ft³ weighs 8.8 tons. Compare supplier quotes by yd³ vs tons using the same density.

🏖️ Play Sand for Playground

A 15×20 ft playground at 6 inches deep needs 150 ft³, or 5.56 yd³. Play sand at 100 lb/ft³ weighs 7.5 tons. Add waste and order about 8.5 tons or 6 yd³.

🛣️ Asphalt Paving

An 800 ft² driveway resurfaced at 2 inches needs 133.3 ft³. Hot mix asphalt at 145 lb/ft³ weighs 9.67 tons; with waste, order about 11 tons.

🌿 Bulk Mulch Order

A 1,000 ft² garden mulched at 3 inches needs 250 ft³, or 9.26 yd³. Wood chips at 30 lb/ft³ weigh only 3.75 tons, which is why mulch is usually sold by volume instead of weight.

🏗️ Concrete Demolition

A removed 10×20 ft slab at 4 inches thick is 66.7 ft³. Broken concrete at 75 lb/ft³ weighs about 2.5 tons. Use this to check dumpster weight limits and disposal costs.

Common Tons to Cubic Feet Conversions — At a Glance

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about cubic feet per ton conversions.

How many cubic feet are in a ton of gravel?

A ton of gravel contains approximately: Pea gravel: 22.2 ft³/ton (90 lb/ft³) Crushed stone: 20.0 ft³/ton (100 lb/ft³) Wet gravel: 19.0 ft³/ton (105 lb/ft³) Most commonly used value: crushed stone gravel = 20 ft³/ton. In cubic yards, 20 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.74 yd³/ton. One cubic yard of gravel is about 1.35 tons.

How many cubic feet are in a ton of sand?

A ton of sand contains approximately: Dry loose sand: 20.0 ft³/ton Dry packed sand: 16.9 ft³/ton Wet sand: 15.4 ft³/ton Mason sand: 17.4 ft³/ton Dry packed sand is commonly estimated at 16.9–17 ft³ per ton. Wet sand is denser, so you get less volume per ton.

How many cubic feet are in a ton of topsoil?

A ton of topsoil contains approximately: Dry topsoil: 20.0 ft³/ton Moist topsoil: 18.2 ft³/ton Wet topsoil: 16.7 ft³/ton Most practical topsoil estimates use 18–20 ft³ per ton. If your supplier quotes by the ton, ask about moisture content.

How do you convert tons to cubic feet?

Formula: ft³ = tons × 2,000 ÷ density(lb/ft³). Example: 3 tons of crushed gravel at 100 lb/ft³: ft³ = 3 × 2,000 ÷ 100 = 60 ft³ yd³ = 60 ÷ 27 = 2.22 yd³ Reverse formula: tons = ft³ × density ÷ 2,000. Ton type matters: short ton = 2,000 lbs, long ton = 2,240 lbs, metric ton = 2,204.6 lbs.

How many cubic feet are in a ton of mulch?

A ton of mulch contains approximately: Wood chip mulch: 66.7 ft³/ton Shredded bark: 80.0 ft³/ton Rubber mulch: 40.0 ft³/ton Straw mulch: 133.3 ft³/ton Mulch is very light compared to gravel. One ton of mulch can be 3–4× more volume than one ton of gravel.

How many cubic feet per ton of concrete?

Mixed concrete is about 13.3 ft³/ton at 150 lb/ft³. Broken concrete rubble is about 26.7 ft³/ton because air gaps reduce bulk density. One cubic yard of mixed concrete is about 2.03 tons.

What is the difference between a short ton, long ton and metric ton?

Short ton (US) = 2,000 lbs. Long ton (Imperial) = 2,240 lbs. Metric ton / tonne = 2,204.6 lbs. In the US, suppliers almost always mean short ton unless they specify otherwise. For gravel at 100 lb/ft³: 1 short ton = 20.0 ft³, 1 long ton = 22.4 ft³, and 1 metric ton = 22.0 ft³.

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