How to use the cubic yards in a ton calculator
- 1
Enter the tons
Type the weight in US short tons.
- 2
Enter a density
Type the material density in pounds per cubic foot, confirmed for your material.
- 3
Read the cubic yards
The calculator returns cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters, and shows the density it used.
Formula
Cubic yards per ton = 2,000 / (27 x density (lb/ft³))
A US short ton is 2,000 pounds. Dividing by the density gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 gives cubic yards. So 2,000 divided by 27 times the density gives the cubic yards in one ton.
Worked example
How many cubic yards are in 1 ton of a material at 100 pounds per cubic foot?
- 1Convert the ton to pounds: 2,000 pounds.
- 2Divide by density for cubic feet: 2,000 / 100 = 20 cubic feet.
- 3Divide by 27: 20 / 27 = 0.74 cubic yards.
At 100 pounds per cubic foot, 1 ton is about 0.74 cubic yards. This density is an example only.
Why there is no universal answer
Tons measure weight and cubic yards measure volume. The bridge between them is density, the weight of one cubic foot of material. Since density differs from one material to another, and even from one batch to another, the cubic yards in a ton differ too.
That is why this page asks you to enter a density rather than giving a single figure. A lighter material yields more cubic yards per ton, and a denser material yields fewer.
Volume versus weight
Picture one ton of two different materials. One ton of a fluffy, low density material fills a large volume, while one ton of a heavy, high density material fills a small one. The weight is identical, but the cubic yards are not.
To go the other way and find the weight of a known volume, use the cubic yards to tons calculator.
US short ton versus metric tonne
This page uses the US short ton of 2,000 pounds. A metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms, about 2,204.6 pounds, so it gives a slightly larger volume for the same density. Make sure your weight and your density use a consistent system before converting.
Common mistakes
Watch for these when converting tons to volume:
- Expecting a single cubic yards per ton number for all materials
- Using a dry density for wet material
- Confusing US short tons with metric tonnes
- Entering density in the wrong units
- Treating the result as exact rather than an estimate
Verify before you order
Whatever density you use, the result is a planning estimate. Confirm quantities with your supplier, who can provide the right density and the delivered weight. For the reverse calculation, see cubic yards to tons and tons to cubic yards. The YardCalc calculation methodology explains how the formula is checked.
Mathematical Examples by Entered Density
Cubic feet and cubic yards in one ton at several densities. These are formula examples, not material recommendations. Use a density confirmed for your material.
| Entered density (lb/ft³) | Cubic feet per ton | Cubic yards per ton |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 40 | 1.48 |
| 75 | 26.67 | 0.988 |
| 100 | 20 | 0.741 |
| 125 | 16 | 0.593 |
| 150 | 13.33 | 0.494 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many cubic yards are in a ton?
- It depends on the material density. Cubic yards per ton equals 2,000 divided by 27 times the density in pounds per cubic foot, so a lighter material gives more cubic yards per ton.
- Why isn't there one answer?
- Because tons measure weight and cubic yards measure volume. Only density links them, and density varies by material, moisture, and compaction.
- How many cubic yards is 1 ton at 100 pounds per cubic foot?
- About 0.74 cubic yards, since 2,000 divided by 27 times 100 is about 0.74.
- What density should I use?
- Use a value confirmed for your specific material, ideally from your supplier. YardCalc does not publish a density table because the values vary too much.
- Does moisture change the answer?
- Yes. Wet material is denser, so a ton of it fills fewer cubic yards than the same material dry.
- Is a ton here a short ton or a tonne?
- A US short ton of 2,000 pounds. Convert metric tonnes first if your figure is metric.
- How do I convert cubic yards back to tons?
- Use the same density with the cubic yards to tons calculator.
- Are the table values real material data?
- No. They use round example densities to show how the formula behaves and are not recommendations.
Volume per ton is 2,000 divided by 27 times the entered density. No density is assumed or published. Table values use clearly labeled example densities. See the YardCalc calculation methodology.
Results are planning estimates. Last reviewed 2026-06-16.