Formula used
US short tons = cubic yards × bulk density in short tons/yd³
Metric tonnes = US short tons × 0.90718474
Long tons = US short tons ÷ 1.12
Cubic yards = weight converted to US short tons ÷ bulk density
Reference basis: fixed unit conversions follow the NIST SI conversion tables. Bulk density is product- and condition-specific; the FHWA Field Materials Manual documents aggregate sampling and moisture-density testing; supplier or project data for the actual product and condition should replace the planning preset when available. The USGS aggregates program is used for aggregate terminology and scope. Read the full methodology and limitations.
Worked aggregate tonnage examples
Dimensions to weight: 30 ft × 12 ft × (4 in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 4.44 yd³ measured volume. With a stated 10% field allowance, the adjusted volume is 4.89 yd³. If 1.60 short tons/yd³ describes that same material state, the estimated weight is 7.82 short tons. A loose delivered density requires a documented yield conversion before it can be applied to installed geometry.
Weight back to volume: 10 US short tons ÷ 1.60 short tons/yd³ = 6.25 yd³. The 1.60 density and the resulting 6.25 yd³ must describe the same delivered or compacted material condition; the reverse conversion does not infer a loose-to-installed factor.
Volume, density, and supplier units
Keep raw measured volume separate from the waste-adjusted order. A US short ton is 2,000 lb, a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (about 2,204.62 lb), and a long ton is 2,240 lb. The density input remains explicitly in US short tons per cubic yard so the calculator can normalize all three weight units.
Field conditions that change tonnage
Moisture, gradation, compaction state, source quarry, and whether a supplier uses short, long, or metric tons can change conversions.
Questions specific to this calculation
Which density belongs in the weight-to-yards conversion?
Choose whether the starting information is dimensions, known cubic yards, or a known weight. Enter the supplier’s bulk density in US short tons per cubic yard for the exact material and condition; the selected known-weight unit is converted before the volume calculation.