Soil & Dirt Weight Calculator – Cubic Foot, Yard & Ton Guide

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Free soil weight calculator — find how much dirt, sand, gravel, or rock weighs per cubic foot or cubic yard. Covers topsoil, fill dirt, river rock, limestone, and pea gravel

Landscaping Calculator

Soil & Dirt Weight Calculator: Cubic Foot, Cubic Yard & Ton Guide

Find exactly how much topsoil, fill dirt, sand, gravel, or rock weighs per cubic foot and cubic yard — in pounds, tons, and kg. Includes truck payload guidance and sand price data for all regions.

Topsoil: 80 lbs/ft³ · 2,160 lbs/CY (dry)

Sand: 100 lbs/ft³ · 2,700 lbs/CY

Gravel/rock: 100–110 lbs/ft³ · ~2,835 lbs/CY

River rock: 110 lbs/ft³ · 2,970 lbs/CY

Soil & Dirt Weight Calculator

Select material

Custom density (lbs/ft³)

lbs/ft³

Volume unit

Volume (cubic feet)

ft³

1 2 4 10 27

Please enter a valid volume.

Total Weight

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US Tons

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÷ 2,000 lbs

Kilograms

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× 0.4536

Volume (ft³)

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cubic feet

Volume (CY)

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cubic yards

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Weight breakdown by common volumes

Weight per Cubic Yard — Landscaping Materials

Dry weight per cubic yard varies from 1,080 lbs (potting soil) to nearly 3,000 lbs (river rock). Wet materials weigh 10–30% more. Always verify weights with your supplier — regional material composition varies.

One Cubic Yard = 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft

A cubic yard (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft) is a large volume — about the size of a washing machine footprint at shoulder height. Never load more than your truck's rated payload capacity. Check the driver's door jamb sticker for your vehicle's maximum payload.

40 lbs of Landscaping Material — Volume Varies by Type

The volume of 40 lbs of material varies significantly by density. 40 lbs of potting soil fills twice the volume of 40 lbs of fill dirt or sand. Bagged topsoil labels show filled bag volume (typically 0.75 ft³), not the bulk density volume.

How Much Does Dirt, Sand, and Rock Weigh Per Cubic Foot and Cubic Yard?

One cubic foot of dry topsoil weighs approximately 75–80 pounds — so two cubic feet of topsoil weighs about 150–160 pounds. One cubic yard (27 cubic feet) of dry topsoil weighs roughly 2,160 pounds (about 1.1 tons). These are the most commonly searched soil weight figures, and this soil weight calculator answers all variants instantly.

Weight varies significantly by material: sand and fill dirt weigh ~2,700 lbs per cubic yard, river rock ~2,970 lbs, and potting soil only ~1,080 lbs. A standard half-ton pickup truck safely carries 1,000–2,000 lbs — one cubic yard of sand or gravel (2,700+ lbs) exceeds most half-ton pickup payloads. The calculator and reference tables below cover all 13 common landscaping materials with weight in lbs, tons, and kg. Use the calculator above or the master weight reference table below.

1 ft³ topsoil (dry)75–80 lbs (avg 80 lbs)

1 ft³ fill dirt95–110 lbs (avg 100 lbs)

1 ft³ sand (dry)95–110 lbs (avg 100 lbs)

1 ft³ pea gravel90–110 lbs (avg 100 lbs)

1 ft³ river rock100–125 lbs (avg 110 lbs)

2 ft³ topsoil (dry)~160 lbs (2 × 80)

2 ft³ fill dirt~200 lbs (2 × 100)

Master Weight Reference Table — All Materials

Material	lbs/ft³	lbs per CY	Tons per CY	kg per CY
Potting soil (bagged)	40	1,080	0.54	490
Topsoil (dry, loose)	80	2,160	1.08	980
Topsoil (moist)	95	2,565	1.28	1,164
Fill dirt (dry)	100	2,700	1.35	1,225
Clay (dry)	105	2,835	1.42	1,287
Sand (dry)	100	2,700	1.35	1,225
Sand (wet)	120	3,240	1.62	1,470
Pea gravel	100	2,700	1.35	1,225
Crushed stone / #57	105	2,835	1.42	1,287
River rock	110	2,970	1.49	1,347
Road base / crusher run	112	3,024	1.51	1,373
Limestone (crushed)	105	2,835	1.42	1,287
Limestone (solid)	150	4,050	2.03	1,837

Verification: CY values = lbs/ft³ × 27. Tons = lbs ÷ 2,000. kg = lbs × 0.4536.
Topsoil: 80 × 27 = 2,160 ✔ · River rock: 110 × 27 = 2,970 ✔ · Limestone solid: 150 × 27 = 4,050 ✔

All weights in the table above are for dry or slightly moist material at standard density. Wet or waterlogged materials weigh significantly more — wet sand can weigh 3,240 lbs per cubic yard vs 2,700 lbs dry, a 20% increase. For bulk material orders, ask your supplier for the specific gravity or in-place density of their material — these vary by quarry and regional geology.

How Much Does a Cubic Foot of Dirt Weigh? — Topsoil, Fill Dirt, and Soil Types

One cubic foot of dry topsoil weighs approximately 75–80 pounds. One cubic foot of fill dirt or clay weighs approximately 95–110 pounds. The difference is significant — topsoil is looser and contains more organic matter (which is lighter), while fill dirt is typically denser clay or subsoil.

Weight (lbs) = Volume (ft³) × Density (lbs/ft³) Example: 2 ft³ of topsoil = 2 × 80 lbs/ft³ = 160 lbs

40 lbs of topsoil (80 lbs/ft³)40 ÷ 80 = 0.50 ft³

40 lbs of fill dirt (100 lbs/ft³)40 ÷ 100 = 0.40 ft³

40 lbs of potting soil (40 lbs/ft³)40 ÷ 40 = 1.00 ft³

A 40 lb bag of topsoil from Home Depot or Lowe's (Scotts brand) is labeled as 0.75 cubic feet — this is the volume as filled and packed in the bag, not the settled bulk density. Bulk dry topsoil at a landscape yard typically weighs 80–100 lbs per cubic foot, which would put 40 lbs at 0.40–0.50 ft³. The discrepancy exists because bagged topsoil is often a lighter mix with peat moss or compost and is not compressed to settled density — this is normal and expected.

How Much Does a Yard of Rock, Gravel, and Stone Weigh?

One cubic yard of river rock weighs approximately 2,970 pounds (1.49 tons). One cubic yard of pea gravel or crushed stone weighs approximately 2,700–2,835 pounds (1.35–1.42 tons). One cubic yard of #57 stone (a common crushed limestone gravel used for driveways) weighs approximately 2,835 pounds.

Rock and Stone Weight Reference

Material	Weight per CY	CY per ton	Notes
River rock (decorative)	2,970 lbs (1.49 tons)	0.67 CY	Rounded smooth stones
Pea gravel	2,700 lbs (1.35 tons)	0.74 CY	Small rounded pebbles
#57 stone (crushed limestone)	2,835 lbs (1.42 tons)	0.71 CY	Most common driveway gravel
3/4" crushed stone	2,835 lbs (1.42 tons)	0.71 CY	General construction aggregate
Road base / crusher run	3,024 lbs (1.51 tons)	0.66 CY	Compacted base material
Limestone (crushed)	2,835 lbs (1.42 tons)	0.71 CY	Same as #57 stone
Limestone (solid, per ft³)	150 lbs/ft³ · 4,050/CY	0.49 CY	Solid quarried block

How much does a yard of 57 stone weigh: 2,835 pounds (1.42 tons). #57 stone is crushed limestone approximately 3/4" to 1" in diameter — the most common type of gravel used for driveways, drainage, and base material in the US.

⚠️ Truck payload warning: One cubic yard of most rock and gravel materials weighs 2,700–3,000 lbs — well above the payload rating of a standard half-ton pickup truck (rated for 1,000–2,000 lbs). Never load more than one-third to one-half cubic yard of gravel or rock in a half-ton truck without checking your specific vehicle's maximum payload (shown on the door jamb sticker).

How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh — and How Much Does It Cost?

One cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). Wet or damp sand is heavier — up to 3,240 pounds per cubic yard. One cubic yard of sand in kg: approximately 1,225 kg.

1 CY of dry sand2,700 lbs (1.35 tons)

2 CY of sand5,400 lbs (2.7 tons)

3 CY of sand8,100 lbs (4.05 tons)

1 yd sand weight in kg1,225 kg

Sand Price Table — 2024–2025 US Averages

Quantity	Price range	Weight	Notes
1 CY sand	$30–$60	2,700 lbs (1.35 tons)	Most common order size
2 CY sand	$60–$120	5,400 lbs (2.7 tons)	2 tons+ — need dump truck
3 CY sand	$90–$180	8,100 lbs (4.05 tons)	Typical patio/base project
5 CY sand	$150–$300	13,500 lbs (6.75 tons)	Larger landscaping project
Mason sand (per CY)	$35–$65	2,700 lbs	Finer grain, mortar/bedding
Play sand (per CY)	$30–$55	2,700 lbs	Washed, playground-grade
Fill sand (per CY)	$20–$45	2,700 lbs	Lowest cost option

Price varies by sand type (mason, play, fill), local market, and delivery distance. Always call your local landscape supply yard for exact pricing — the figures above are 2024–2025 national averages. Last updated: June 2025.

How Much Is 1 Ton of Dirt — Cubic Yards and Volume Guide

1 ton of topsoil is approximately 0.93 cubic yards (or about 25 cubic feet). 1 ton of fill dirt is approximately 0.74 cubic yards (about 20 cubic feet). The difference is because topsoil is less dense than fill dirt. Formula: CY = (tons × 2,000) ÷ lbs_per_CY.

Tons to Cubic Yards — All Materials

Material	1 ton (CY)	5 tons (CY)	10 tons (CY)	lbs/CY used
Topsoil (dry)	0.93 CY	4.63 CY	9.26 CY	2,160 lbs/CY
Fill dirt	0.74 CY	3.70 CY	7.41 CY	2,700 lbs/CY
Sand	0.74 CY	3.70 CY	7.41 CY	2,700 lbs/CY
Pea gravel	0.74 CY	3.70 CY	7.41 CY	2,700 lbs/CY
Crushed stone	0.71 CY	3.53 CY	7.05 CY	2,835 lbs/CY
River rock	0.67 CY	3.37 CY	6.73 CY	2,970 lbs/CY

Verification: Topsoil 1 ton: (1 × 2,000) ÷ 2,160 = 0.926 → 0.93 CY ✔ | Fill 5 tons: (5 × 2,000) ÷ 2,700 = 3.704 → 3.70 CY ✔

Weight of Limestone Per Cubic Foot and Cubic Yard

Crushed limestone (such as #57 stone or road base) weighs approximately 100–110 lbs per cubic foot, or about 2,700–2,970 lbs per cubic yard. Solid quarried limestone weighs approximately 140–165 lbs per cubic foot — this is the density of the stone itself, not crushed aggregate.

Crushed limestone (#57, #67)100–110 lbs/ft³ · 2,700–2,970 lbs/CY

Crushed limestone (road base)105–115 lbs/ft³ · 2,835–3,105 lbs/CY

Solid limestone (quarried block)140–165 lbs/ft³ · 3,780–4,455 lbs/CY

Limestone pea gravel~100 lbs/ft³ · 2,700 lbs/CY

Soil and Dirt Weight Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a cubic foot of dirt weigh?

One cubic foot of dry topsoil weighs approximately 75–80 pounds (average 80 lbs/ft³). One cubic foot of fill dirt weighs approximately 95–110 pounds (average 100 lbs/ft³). Clay soil weighs approximately 100–110 lbs per cubic foot. The difference reflects organic content — topsoil has more organic matter and air pockets making it lighter than denser fill dirt or clay subsoil. Use the weight calculator above for any volume.

How much does a cubic yard of dirt weigh?

One cubic yard of dry topsoil weighs approximately 2,160 pounds (1.08 tons). One cubic yard of fill dirt weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). Formula: CY weight = 27 ft³ × lbs per ft³. Topsoil: 27 × 80 = 2,160 lbs. Fill dirt: 27 × 100 = 2,700 lbs. Moist topsoil weighs 2,400–2,600 lbs per cubic yard. Always check your truck's payload rating before hauling any bulk dirt.

How much does 2 cubic feet of soil weigh?

Two cubic feet of dry topsoil weighs approximately 150–160 pounds (2 × 80 lbs = 160 lbs). Two cubic feet of fill dirt weighs approximately 190–220 pounds (2 × 100 = 200 lbs average). Two cubic feet of potting soil weighs approximately 60–100 pounds (2 × 40 lbs avg = 80 lbs). Potting soil is significantly lighter due to peat moss, perlite, and air content making up much of the bag volume.

How much does a yard of rock weigh?

One cubic yard of river rock weighs approximately 2,970 pounds (1.49 tons). One cubic yard of crushed stone or pea gravel weighs approximately 2,700–2,835 pounds (1.35–1.42 tons). One cubic yard of #57 stone weighs approximately 2,835 pounds (1.42 tons). All rock and gravel materials exceed the safe payload of a standard half-ton pickup truck — always use a dump truck for delivery of a full cubic yard or more.

How much does a yard of river rock weigh?

One cubic yard of river rock weighs approximately 2,970 pounds, or 1.49 tons. River rock (also called decorative rock or natural round stone) has a density of approximately 110 lbs per cubic foot. Calculation: 27 × 110 = 2,970 lbs. One ton of river rock equals approximately 0.67 cubic yards. River rock is one of the heavier landscaping materials — plan for dump truck delivery for orders of 1 cubic yard or more.

How much does a yard of pea gravel weigh?

One cubic yard of pea gravel weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). Pea gravel has a density of approximately 100 lbs per cubic foot: 27 × 100 = 2,700 lbs per cubic yard. One ton of pea gravel equals approximately 0.74 cubic yards. Pea gravel is one of the lighter gravel types due to its rounded shape and open packing — crushed stone, road base, and river rock are all typically heavier per cubic yard.

How much does a yard of 57 stone weigh?

#57 stone (crushed limestone, 3/4" to 1" diameter) weighs approximately 2,835 pounds per cubic yard (1.42 tons). At 105 lbs per cubic foot: 27 × 105 = 2,835 lbs. #57 stone is the most common driveway and drainage aggregate in the US. One ton of #57 stone equals approximately 0.71 cubic yards. Always verify weight with your local supplier as limestone composition varies by quarry and region.

How much does sand weigh per cubic yard?

One cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). Wet sand is heavier — up to 3,240 pounds per cubic yard (1.62 tons). Sand weighs approximately 100 lbs per cubic foot dry: 27 × 100 = 2,700 lbs. Mason sand, play sand, and fill sand all weigh approximately 2,700 lbs per cubic yard when dry. Never haul a full cubic yard of sand in a half-ton pickup — it exceeds most safe payload limits significantly.

How much is a yard of sand?

A cubic yard of sand costs approximately $30–$60 nationally for bulk delivery (2024–2025 averages). Mason sand costs $35–$65 per cubic yard. Play sand costs $30–$55 per cubic yard. Fill sand costs $20–$45 per cubic yard. Delivery fees of $50–$150 typically apply. One cubic yard of sand weighs 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) — bulk delivery by dump truck is required for most sand orders.

How many cubic feet is 40 lbs of soil?

40 lbs of bulk topsoil (80 lbs/ft³) equals 0.50 cubic feet (40 ÷ 80 = 0.50). 40 lbs of fill dirt (100 lbs/ft³) equals 0.40 cubic feet. 40 lbs of potting soil (40 lbs/ft³) equals 1.00 cubic foot. Note: a 40 lb bag of topsoil at Home Depot or Lowe's is labeled 0.75 ft³ — this is the filled bag volume as packaged, which is less dense than settled bulk topsoil due to lighter mix ingredients.

How much does 1 ton of dirt equal in cubic yards?

One ton of dry topsoil equals approximately 0.93 cubic yards (2,000 ÷ 2,160 = 0.926 CY). One ton of fill dirt equals approximately 0.74 cubic yards (2,000 ÷ 2,700). One ton of sand equals approximately 0.74 cubic yards. Five tons of fill dirt equals approximately 3.70 cubic yards. Ten tons of fill dirt equals approximately 7.41 cubic yards. Formula: CY = (tons × 2,000) ÷ weight_per_CY.

Can a pickup truck haul a yard of dirt or gravel?

Most half-ton pickup trucks (F-150, Silverado 1500, RAM 1500) have payload ratings of 1,000–2,000 lbs. One cubic yard of topsoil weighs ~2,160 lbs, fill dirt ~2,700 lbs, and gravel ~2,835 lbs — all exceed most half-ton payloads. A safe rule: never load more than one-third to one-half cubic yard of gravel in a half-ton truck. Check the door jamb sticker for your specific vehicle's rated maximum payload before loading any bulk material.

How much does potting soil weigh per cubic foot?

Potting soil weighs approximately 30–50 lbs per cubic foot, with an average of 40 lbs/ft³. This is significantly lighter than topsoil (80 lbs/ft³) or fill dirt (100 lbs/ft³) because potting soil contains peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and other lightweight materials. One cubic yard of potting soil weighs approximately 1,080 lbs (0.54 tons) — about half the weight of a cubic yard of topsoil.

What does a cubic yard of dirt look like?

A cubic yard is a cube measuring 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet — roughly the size of a standard washing machine standing on its base, or a large refrigerator. When dumped from a delivery truck, it forms a conical pile approximately 4–5 feet wide and 3–4 feet tall. A standard pickup truck bed holds approximately 1–1.5 cubic yards when level-full. One cubic yard of topsoil weighs about 2,160 lbs — always plan delivery with a dump truck for safe transport.

More Free Landscaping Calculators on everycalcpro.com

This free soil weight calculator is the most complete reference covering 13 materials from potting soil to solid limestone — weight per cubic foot and cubic yard in lbs, tons, and kg, tons-to-cubic-yards conversion for all materials, sand price per yard for all types, truck payload guidance, and 40 lb bag volume explanations. Use the free Soil Weight Calculator above — select your material and enter your volume or weight for an instant result. All calculators on everycalcpro.com are 100% free.

Quick Weight Reference

Topsoil (dry) per ft³80 lbs

Topsoil per CY2,160 lbs

Fill dirt per ft³100 lbs

Fill dirt per CY2,700 lbs

Sand (dry) per ft³100 lbs

Sand per CY2,700 lbs

Pea gravel per CY2,700 lbs

Crushed stone per CY2,835 lbs

River rock per CY2,970 lbs

Limestone (solid) per CY4,050 lbs

Potting soil per CY1,080 lbs

Road base per CY3,024 lbs

Tons to CY

1 ton topsoil0.93 CY

1 ton fill dirt0.74 CY

1 ton sand0.74 CY

1 ton pea gravel0.74 CY

1 ton #57 stone0.71 CY

1 ton river rock0.67 CY

5 tons fill dirt3.70 CY

10 tons fill dirt7.41 CY

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Soil & Dirt Weight Calculator – Cubic Foot, Yard & Ton Guide

Soil & Dirt Weight Calculator: Cubic Foot, Cubic Yard & Ton Guide

How Much Does Dirt, Sand, and Rock Weigh Per Cubic Foot and Cubic Yard?

How Much Does a Cubic Foot of Dirt Weigh? — Topsoil, Fill Dirt, and Soil Types

How Much Does a Yard of Rock, Gravel, and Stone Weigh?

How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh — and How Much Does It Cost?

How Much Is 1 Ton of Dirt — Cubic Yards and Volume Guide

Weight of Limestone Per Cubic Foot and Cubic Yard

Soil and Dirt Weight Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions

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