materials · 3 min read
Cubic Yards vs Tons — Which Should You Order In?
Yards measure volume, tons measure weight. Suppliers price and load in one or the other.
Volume vs weight
Cubic yards describe how much space a material occupies. Tons describe its mass.
The conversion depends on density: topsoil ~1.1 t/yd, gravel ~1.4 t/yd, concrete ~2.0 t/yd.
When to use each
Bulk landscape suppliers usually sell in cubic yards.
Aggregate quarries and asphalt yards usually sell in tons.
Ask both units when quoting to compare apples to apples.
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These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.