Density is the whole conversion
Yards measure volume; quarries sell weight. Crushed stone ≈ 1.4–1.5 tons/yd³, sand ≈ 1.5, topsoil ≈ 1.2, river rock ≈ 1.6, asphalt ≈ 2.0. Enter yards and the density from your supplier's spec — wet material runs heavier than the table, another reason the delivery ticket is worth reading.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- NIST Office of Weights and Measures — the US customary and SI conversion factors used throughout this tool.
- International Code Council — the International Residential Code and International Building Code.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.