Gravel Density Chart

Density table

Short tons = kg/m³ × 0.764554857984 ÷ 907.18474. Pounds = short tons × 2,000. The links open the calculator that owns the default. Wet versus dry, and loose versus bank, for the question “how much does a yard weigh,” is how much a yard of gravel weighs.

Where a published number and this site differ

Caterpillar’s earthwork reference table (cat.com earthwork volumes) lists loose crushed stone at 1,600 kg/m³ and 2,700 lb/yd³, dry gravel at 1,510 kg/m³ and 2,550 lb, dry 1/4–2 inch gravel at 1,690 kg/m³ and 2,850 lb, dry loose sand at 1,420 kg/m³ and 2,400 lb, damp sand at 1,690 kg/m³ and 2,850 lb, and loose topsoil at 950 kg/m³ and 1,600 lb. This site’s conversion of 1,600 kg/m³ prints 2696.89 lb, 3.11 lb under the 2,700 in that pair.

Topsoil is the clear conflict. The calculator stays at 1,300 kg/m³ (1.10 short tons, 2191.22 lb per yard) because that is what the topsoil page already shows. Caterpillar’s 950 kg/m³ converts here to 0.80 short tons and 1601.28 lb per yard, against the 1,600 lb in Caterpillar’s pair. Do not average them.

Riprap uses the FHWA Federal Lands loose figure of 1,550 kg/m³ and 2,610 lb/yd³ (earthwork design exhibit). The table prints 2612.61 lb. The 2.61 lb gap is that same conversion. MHFD’s riprap specification also asks for specific gravity of at least 2.5 and bulk density of at least 1.3 ton per cubic yard. 1.31 short tons per yard sits on that line.

304 at 1,920 kg/m³ and Class 5 at 2,400 kg/m³ are planning defaults stated on those pages. Class 5 was set at the heavy end on purpose. Concrete at 2,400 prints 4045.33 lb per yard, which is 149.83 lb per cubic foot. That is not an ACI citation. 411 uses 1,700 because TDOT 2021 Table 903.05-2 Grading D is a sieve spec, not a density, and it should not inherit 304’s number.

Lava at 720 kg/m³ sits inside a 40–50 lb/ft³ range on one 3/4 inch black lava listing (Gravelshop product page). 40 lb/ft³ is 640.74 kg/m³, 45 is 720.83, and 50 is 800.92. It is not FHWA pumice. River rock at 1,525 and decomposed granite at 1,500 are assumptions stated on those pages. No. 2 at 1,500 is this site’s void allowance under Caterpillar’s 1,600, and ASTM D448 Size No. 2 is the size spec, not a density.

Project tools that reuse a row

These calculators are not extra materials. They start from a density already in the table.

Mulch is sold by the yard and the bag on the mulch calculator. That page has no kg/m³ default, so it is left out of the density table.

Worked check

Read the #57 row: 1,600 kg/m³, 1.35 short tons, 1.22 tonnes, 2696.89 lb. Read topsoil: 1,300, 1.10, 0.99, 2191.22. Read riprap: 1,550, 1.31, 1.19, 2612.61. Read lava: 720, 0.61, 0.55, 1213.60. Those four are the conversion, not a second set of rounded marketing numbers.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a yard of gravel weigh?

On this site, #57 at 1,600 kg/m³ is 1.35 short tons, 1.22 tonnes, and 2696.89 lb per cubic yard. Clean 3/4, pea gravel, sand, and the 1 inch calculator use that same 1,600. 304 is 1.62 short tons per yard at 1,920 kg/m³. Class 5 and the concrete default are 2.02 short tons per yard at 2,400 kg/m³. The table is the full list.

Are these lab densities?

Only the rows with a published table behind them are cited that way. Caterpillar’s earthwork table, the FHWA loose riprap pair, ASTM and AASHTO size specs, TDOT Grading D, and one lava product range are named in the source column. Pool filter sand, aquarium gravel, fill, backfill, 304, Class 5, river rock, decomposed granite, and landscape rock are planning defaults on their own pages. Caterpillar says the weights vary and tests must be made.

Why does topsoil disagree with Caterpillar?

The topsoil calculator uses 1,300 kg/m³, which this table shows as 1.10 short tons, 0.99 tonnes, and 2191.22 lb per yard. Caterpillar lists loose topsoil at 950 kg/m³ and 1,600 lb/yd³. Converting 950 kg/m³ with this site’s factors is 0.80 short tons and 1601.28 lb per yard. The calculator keeps 1,300 so it stays consistent with the topsoil page. The chart shows both.

Why is Class 5 as heavy as concrete?

The Class 5 page set 2,400 kg/m³ on purpose and calls it the heavy end, about 2.02 short tons per yard. Concrete, asphalt, the slab calculator, and the footing calculator use that same 2,400 start. It is a planning default, not a claim that Class 5 and concrete are the same material. 4045.33 lb per yard is 149.83 lb per cubic foot.

How are the pounds calculated?

Short tons per cubic yard = density × 0.764554857984 ÷ 907.18474. The first constant is 0.9144³, one cubic yard in cubic meters. The second is one short ton in kilograms. Pounds are short tons × 2,000. Tonnes per yard are density × 0.764554857984 ÷ 1,000. Caterpillar’s 1,600 kg/m³ crushed-stone row is paired with 2,700 lb. This conversion prints 2696.89 lb. The 3.11 lb gap is that published pair versus these factors.

Why is riprap 2612.61 lb instead of 2,610?

The FHWA Federal Lands earthwork exhibit lists loose riprap at 1,550 kg/m³ and 2,610 lb/yd³. This table converts 1,550 and gets 1.31 short tons and 2612.61 lb. The 2.61 lb gap is the same kind of rounding as the crushed-stone row. Read 2612.61 when you are using the riprap calculator. The FHWA pair is the source.

Does 411 have a published density?

TDOT’s 2021 spec, Section 303 Type A base, uses Grading D in Table 903.05-2. That table is sieves, from 1-1/2 inch down through the No. 100. It is not a kg/m³. This site starts 411 at 1,700, with crusher run and limestone, and leaves 304 at 1,920. One yard of 411 at 1,700 is 1.43 short tons and 2865.44 lb.

Where is mulch?

The mulch calculator sells by the cubic yard and the bag. It does not store a kg/m³ default, so mulch is not given a made-up density in this table. Use the mulch page for coverage. Lava rock is the light row that does have a density: 720 kg/m³, 0.61 short tons and 1213.60 lb per yard.