How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh? Gravel Density Table

By Site Measure · Maintained by Vincent Ruan · Published September 18, 2026 · Updated September 24, 2026

The short answer: 2,400 to 2,800 lb per cubic yard

The 11 weights suppliers publish for their gravel and crushed stone run from 2,400 lb (1.2 US tons) to 2,800 lb (1.4 US tons) per cubic yard, or 88.89 to 103.7 lb/ft³. Applied to a hypothetical 480 ft² area at 3 inches, they order between 5.33 and 6.22 US short tons. That is a 17% difference in what arrives on the truck, before any allowance or rounding.

The general 105 lb/ft³ estimate used as the gravel calculator’s default gives 2,835 lb (1.42 US tons); it is Site Measure’s starting value, not a supplier’s weight. Its source is in the ledger. This is the spread of the collected supplier values, not a universal gravel density range or an estimate of your order's error. The entries describe different products and conditions, and none is a measurement made by Site Measure.

The ledger

Gravel and crushed stone

Calculate with these figures: gravel calculator · pea gravel · crushed stone · #57 stone.

River rock, landscape rock and decomposed granite

Calculate with these figures: river rock calculator · landscape rock · decomposed granite.

Road base and paver base

Calculate with these figures: road base calculator · paver base · crusher run.

What each figure covers

Omni Calculator: General gravel, starting estimate

Site Measure's general starting value and the gravel calculator's default: 105 lb/ft³, adopted from the default Omni Calculator's gravel calculator uses; that page is linked as provenance, not as a data source. It is not a product specification and not any supplier's published weight. Caterpillar's earthwork tables, which list dry 1/4–2 in gravel at 2,850 lb per loose yd³ (105.6 lb/ft³), support it. Adopted from Omni Calculator’s gravel page, supported by Caterpillar’s earthwork tables.

Lasalle Sand & Gravel: Pea gravel

This supplier's published weight for its own pea gravel. Other yards publish different weights for the same product name; it is not a grading specification. Source: the published page.

Lasalle Sand & Gravel: 3/4 inch crush minus

This supplier's published weight for its own crush minus. It is not a #57 stone specification and not a compaction factor. Source: the published page.

South Bay Materials: 3/8 inch pea gravel

This supplier's published bulk weight for its 3/8 inch pea gravel. Product-specific, and not interchangeable with another yard's pea gravel. Source: the published page.

Anchorage Sand & Gravel: 3/8 inch Minus Concrete Pea Gravel

Approximate stockpile weight for this supplier's product. The supplier says weight varies with moisture, texture and gradation; this is not a measured delivery weight or a compaction factor. Source: the published page.

Sutherland Landscape Supplies: Pea Gravel (3/8 inch minus)

Published weight per yard for this supplier's small, rounded 3/8 inch minus product. The page does not specify moisture or a test method; do not treat the value as a dry-density measurement or a specification for other pea gravel. Source: the published page.

Smokey Point Concrete: 3/8 Pea Gravel (#8)

Published weight for this supplier's washed, rounded aggregate, also labelled #8. The page also gives 1.36 tons per cubic yard, but does not state moisture or a test method; the size label is not a universal density specification. Source: the published page.

Gravelshop: #57 Limestone Gravel (1/2 - 1 inch)

The density this retailer's own calculator applies to its #57 limestone, also shown as 1.21 tons per cubic yard. The same figure appears on its #57 granite and crusher run calculators, so treat it as a retailer conversion, not a quarry measurement. The "1/2 - 1 inch" is the retailer's product label; AASHTO M43 grades #57 from 1 inch down to No. 4. Source: the published page.

Cummin Landscape Supply: #57 Stone granite gravel

Listed as '+/- 2400 lbs' per cubic yard, sold by the yard or 1.2 tons. An approximate selling weight for this Atlanta yard's granite #57; not a grading specification and not a dry density. Source: the published page.

Yard Works Landscape Supply: Crusher Run (crushed granite with stone dust)

Described as approximately 2,450 lb per cubic yard for a low-void mix of crushed granite and fines. A loose stockpile figure; crusher run is compacted in place, so ordered volume and finished depth differ. Source: the published page.

LandCare Stone: 3/4 inch Crushed Stone

Listed as 2,800 lb per yard for this New England supplier's 3/4 inch crushed stone. Product-specific; other suppliers publish 2,600 lb for a 3/4 inch product, so the size alone does not fix the weight. Source: the published page.

Birch Tree Bark & Stone: 3/4 inch Crushed Limestone

Shown as an approximate weight per yard on this Michigan supplier's stone category listing. Approximate by the supplier's own wording; not a test result or a compaction factor. Source: the published page.

Steve Miller Inc: 3/4 inch River Rock

This Illinois supplier's stated weight for one yard of its washed 3/4 inch round rock, which it says covers 133 ft². Product-specific; larger river rock is published at different weights. Source: the published page.

Himmel's Garden Center: 1-3 inch River Rock

Published as 1.5 tons per yard 'on average' for this Maryland supplier's 1-3 inch river rock. An average selling conversion, not a measured delivery weight. Source: the published page.

Sutherland Landscape Supplies: Creek Cobble 1-2 1/2 inch

Weight per yard listed for this California supplier's rounded creek cobble. No moisture or test method stated. Source: the published page.

Landscape Shoppe: 2-3 inch River Round

Listed as an approximate 2,000 lb per yard for this Oregon supplier's 2-3 inch river round. Approximate by the supplier's own wording; the lightest river rock figure recorded here. Source: the published page.

Granite Landscape Centers: Desert Pearl 3/4 inch decorative rock

Approximate weight per cubic yard (1.3 tons) for this Utah supplier's 3/4 inch decorative crushed stone. Product-specific and approximate. Source: the published page.

Sutherland Landscape Supplies: Yuba Blue 3/4 inch decorative granite rock

Weight per yard listed for this chipped decorative granite. Other decorative rock from the same supplier is listed from 1,760 to 2,480 lb, so colour and stone type change the figure. Source: the published page.

Southwest Boulder & Stone: Most landscape rock (general conversion)

A general conversion this supplier gives for most landscape material, excluding lava rock and mulch. Not a figure for any one product. Source: the published page.

Main's Landscape Supply: Red Lava 1-3 inch

Weight per yard listed for this Michigan supplier's 1-3 inch red lava, which it prices per ton and says equals 2.12 yards. Lava rock is porous and far lighter than crushed stone; not a figure for other stone. Source: the published page.

Main's Landscape Supply: Black Lava 1-3 inch

Weight per yard listed for this supplier's 1-3 inch black lava (1 ton = 1.66 yards on the same page). The same supplier's red lava is listed at 940 lb, so colour and source change the figure. Source: the published page.

Birch Tree Bark & Stone: Red Lava Rock

Approximate weight per yard for this Grand Rapids supplier's red lava, sold by the cubic yard. Approximate by the supplier's own wording. Source: the published page.

Suburban Landscape Supply: Red Lava Rock

This Michigan supplier sells its red lava by the ton and states one cubic yard is approximately 1,200 lb. Approximate by the supplier's own wording. Source: the published page.

Landscape Centre: Lava rock (red and black)

Approximate weight per cubic yard given for this British Columbia supplier's lava rock, sold by the yard or pail. A Canadian source; approximate by its own wording. Source: the published page.

Sutherland Landscape Supplies: Red Lava 3/8 or 3/4 inch

Weight per yard listed for this California supplier's red lava, priced per cubic yard. Product-specific. Source: the published page.

North Bay Materials: Lava Rock, Red Hills

Approximate weight per cubic yard for this Napa and Sonoma supplier's red lava, the heaviest lava figure recorded here. Approximate by the supplier's own wording. Source: the published page.

Outdoor Warehouse Supply: Decomposed Granite, 1/4 inch minus

Approximately 2,500 lb per cubic yard (about 1.25 tons) for this Dallas supplier's unstabilized 1/4 inch minus DG, sold by the yard. Loose; DG is compacted in place. Source: the published page.

Sutherland Landscape Supplies: Decomposed Granite North

Weight per yard listed for this unstabilized DG, which the supplier says can be treated with stabilizers. The same supplier lists another DG at 2,600 lb. Source: the published page.

GraniteCrete: Decomposed granite for stabilized paving

The conversion used in this stabilizer maker's quantity sheet. The same sheet gives 1.60 tons per yard compacted at optimum moisture; that compacted figure is not a loose ordering weight. Source: the published page, dated July 29, 2024.

Sutherland Landscape Supplies: Road Base

Weight per yard listed for this supplier's road base, described for use under concrete and as a compaction base. Loose; no compaction factor. Source: the published page.

Lyngso Garden Materials: Virgin Class 2 Base Rock

Published as 1.5 tons per cubic yard for this California supplier's Class 2 base. Product-specific; Class 2 is a Caltrans grading, not a density. Source: the published page.

Rock N Yard: Recycled Road Base, 1.5 inch minus

Approximately 1.3 tons per yard for this Utah supplier's recycled road base. Recycled base is typically lighter than virgin crushed rock. Source: the published page.

Washington State DOT: Crushed Surfacing Base Course, truck measure

Dry loose (truck measure) weight in WSDOT Design Manual Exhibit 620-1, September 2024. The same table gives 3,700 lb per cubic yard compacted; the loose figure is the one to order by. Source: the published page.

Pavingstone Supply: Crushed base gravel (1/4 and 5/8 inch minus paver base)

An average of 2,700 lb per cubic yard that this Seattle supplier says can vary by material. Loose; paver base is compacted in lifts. Source: the published page.

Landscape Shoppe: 3/4 inch Minus Crushed Quarry

Approximate 2,500 lb per yard for a crushed product the supplier recommends for patio, paver and slab bases. Approximate by the supplier's own wording. Source: the published page.

Tim Wallace Landscape Supply: Road Mix (3/4 inch crushed limestone with screenings, CA6)

The supplier's stated conversion for all construction stone on the page, including this paver base product. The page also advises adding 20% for compaction; that is the supplier's guidance, not a measured factor. Source: the published page.

What this table cannot tell you

A size label is not a density. Grading describes the particles. Bulk density also depends on particle shape, how tightly the grading packs and how wet the material is when it is loaded. Two yards selling the same nominal size can publish different weights.

None of these figures is a compaction factor. They describe loose material as delivered. If your specification is written as a compacted depth, ask the supplier or installer how their material behaves; our calculator applies no automatic compaction correction.

None of these figures is a specification. Apart from the general estimate, they are weights suppliers published for their own products, recorded on the dates shown. Stock changes, and so do published lists. Confirm the figure for the product you are actually buying.

Why handbook charts disagree with suppliers

Engineering and trucking charts also publish yard weights, and they sit on both sides of the supplier figures above because they describe conditions, not products. Caterpillar’s earthwork tables give the same 1/4–2 inch gravel 2,850 lb per loose yard dry and 3,400 lb wet: water alone adds 19%. Gravel still in the ground (a “bank” yard) weighs 3,200 lb, because digging loosens it.

The Engineering ToolBox range works out to 2,025–2,295 lb per yard, lighter than every gravel and crushed stone figure in our ledger (2,400–2,800 lb), so it is a poor basis for an order. The familiar “1.4 to 1.7 tons per yard” rule matches Caterpillar’s dry and wet weights for one gravel (1.43 and 1.7 tons), not a range of products. If you buy by the ton after rain, you receive fewer yards.

Using a supplier’s figure

Volume does not depend on density, so measure and calculate the volume first, then ask for pounds per cubic yard when you request a quote. Enter that number as the custom density in the gravel calculator. To see how the same weight spreads over an area at different depths, read how much a ton of gravel covers.

Several calculators start from a figure in this ledger: the pea gravel calculator preselects a sourced pea gravel density and counts bags, the gravel driveway calculator estimates each driveway layer separately, and the crushed stone, crusher run and #57 gravel calculators open on the supplier weights recorded above. The cubic yards to tons converter tabulates 6 of them side by side. All let you replace the preset with your supplier’s number.

Density questions

What is the bulk density of gravel?

There is no single value. The 11 supplier-published gravel and crushed stone weights in this ledger run from 88.89 to 103.7 lb/ft³, which is 2,400 to 2,800 lb per cubic yard, and they describe different products from different suppliers. Use the figure your own supplier publishes for the product you are buying.

How many pounds are in a yard of gravel?

Between 2,400 and 2,800 lb in the 11 supplier figures for gravel and crushed stone here. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so multiply a per-foot figure by 27: the 105 lb/ft³ general estimate gives 2,835 lb. The converter lists tons per yard for each product.

How much does half a yard of gravel weigh?

Half a cubic yard weighs 1,200 to 1,400 lb (0.6 to 0.7 US tons) across the same supplier figures. Ford lists a 2026 F-150’s maximum payload at 1,405 to 2,440 lb depending on engine, so half a yard is about as much as a half-ton pickup should carry; check the doorjamb label of your own truck.

Does the stone size tell me the density?

No. A size or grading label describes the particles; bulk density also depends on particle shape, how tightly the grading packs and how wet the material is when it is loaded. A #57 or 3/4 inch label does not fix a density, which is why every row here names a supplier and a product rather than a size.

Which density should I enter in the calculator?

Your supplier’s published weight for the exact product you are ordering. If you do not have one yet, calculate the volume first, because volume does not depend on density, then ask for pounds per cubic yard when you request the quote. Our calculation methodology sets out how the weight is derived from volume.

Sources, method and corrections

A row is admitted only when a reader can find the figure in the cited source. Each entry records the value exactly as published, the unit the source used, the date we read it and what the figure must not be read as. Normalisation between pounds per cubic foot, pounds per cubic yard and US short tons uses the unit definitions below, and the conversions are checked by automated tests. A figure that resolves outside a plausible range for loose aggregate is rejected rather than published, because a per-yard weight pasted into a per-foot column is exactly the error this page exists to explain.

Download the ledger (CSV) — one row per figure, with its source URL and dates. Please credit Site Measure. A link is appreciated, and nofollow is fine. The cited documents remain under their owners’ terms.

Cite this page: Site Measure. “How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh? Gravel Density Table.” Updated September 24, 2026. https://site-measure.com/gravel-density

Caterpillar: earthwork volumes reference tables — Loose and bank weights for dry and wet gravel, used for the handbook comparison; its dry gravel weight supports the general 105 lb/ft³ default. Page dated January 15, 2025.

NIST: SI conversion factors — Unit definitions used to normalise the ledger: the US short ton of 2,000 lb, the pound and the foot.

Written with AI assistance from the sources listed on this page. Each figure links to its source; recorded dates are shown with the figures or in the gravel weight and price ledgers, and the arithmetic is covered by automated tests. This is a document review, not laboratory measurement: we did not weigh any material. How this page was made · Report an error