Tonnage Calculator

Convert Tons and Cubic Yards

For the Tonnage Calculator, enter starting information, material, bulk density, material price, length, width, installed depth, waste allowance, known volume, and known weight. It converts dimensions, known cubic yards, or known short tons through the entered tons-per-yard density and reports both volume and weight.

Gravel, river rock and sand arranged with measuring and installation tools

Formula used

Short tons = cubic yards × bulk density; cubic yards = short tons ÷ bulk density

Tonnage Calculator measurement plan showing Bulk density short tons / cubic yard, Material price $ / short ton (optional), Length feet

Worked tonnage example

Tonnage Calculator example: 35.9 ft × 13.2 ft × (4 in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = 5.85 yd³ before allowance. After 10% allowance, the order basis is 6.44 yd³, or 8.69 short tons at 1.35 tons/yd³.

Volume, density, and supplier units

Keep raw measured volume separate from the waste-adjusted order and confirm both density and ton definition before comparing quotes.

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 tons-to-yards conversion?

Choose whether the starting information is dimensions, known cubic yards, or known short tons, then use the loose bulk density for the exact material.