How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh?
A yard of gravel typically weighs between 2,400 and 2,900 pounds, or roughly 1.2 to 1.45 tons. That’s the number you need before you book a delivery truck, load a trailer, or work out what a driveway base is actually going to cost. The exact figure moves depending on the type of stone, how big the pieces are, and how much moisture the material is holding when it gets loaded.
Gravel is sold by the ton, not by the yard, which is exactly why this number trips people up. Order based on the wrong weight and you either run short on material or pay for tonnage you didn’t need. Gravel Monkey’s gravel calculator converts yards to tons for you, but it helps to understand what actually drives that number first.
What Changes How Much a Yard of Gravel Weighs
Not all gravel is created equal, and weight is where that shows up fastest. A yard of angular crusher run packed with fines weighs noticeably more than a yard of clean, rounded stone with air pockets between each piece.
- Stone density: granite and limestone weigh more than lighter sedimentary rock of the same size.
- Particle size and shape: smaller, angular fragments pack tighter and leave less air space than large rounded stones.
- Fines content: material with sand and dust mixed in, like crusher run or road base, fills gaps and adds weight per yard.
- Moisture: wet gravel can weigh 8 to 15 percent more than the same material dry.
- Compaction: gravel settles once it’s spread and rolled, so a compacted yard in place weighs more than a loose yard in a pile.
How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh by Material Type
Here’s how the common materials Gravel Monkey delivers stack up. These are typical ranges for loose, dry material, and they’re a solid starting point for estimating an order.
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard | Approx. Tons per Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | 2,700 – 2,800 lbs | 1.35 – 1.4 |
| 3/4 inch crushed stone | 2,600 – 2,700 lbs | 1.3 – 1.35 |
| Crusher run | 2,800 – 3,000 lbs | 1.4 – 1.5 |
| River rock | 2,500 – 2,600 lbs | 1.25 – 1.3 |
| Decomposed granite | 2,700 – 2,800 lbs | 1.35 – 1.4 |
| Road base | 2,800 – 2,900 lbs | 1.4 – 1.45 |
Notice crusher run and road base sit at the heavy end. Both are built with fines that pack the gaps between larger stones, which is exactly what makes them good base material for driveways and patios. Cleaner, rounded stones like river rock trend lighter because they leave more air between pieces.
How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh When Wet vs Dry
Moisture is the variable most people forget until their order shows up heavier than expected. Gravel stockpiled outside in a rainy region soaks up water between the stones, and that water has weight of its own.
A supplier in Orlando, Florida, dealing with regular downpours will see gravel run heavier than the same material sitting dry in a yard in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s not a different product, just a different moisture load.
| Material | Dry Weight per Yard | Wet Weight per Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Crusher run | 2,800 – 3,000 lbs | 3,000 – 3,200 lbs |
| Pea gravel | 2,700 – 2,800 lbs | 2,900 – 3,000 lbs |
That swing matters more than it looks. If you’re estimating a load right after heavy rain, add a buffer rather than ordering to the exact dry-weight number.
How to Work Out Gravel Weight for Your Project
Start with volume, then apply weight per yard. Say you’re building a driveway 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 6 inches (0.5 feet) deep.
That’s 20 x 10 x 0.5 = 100 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards: roughly 3.7 yards. If you’re using driveway gravel at around 2,700 lbs per yard, that project weighs in near 10,000 lbs, or 5 tons.
Gravel Monkey walks through the volume math in more detail in how much gravel do you need, and if you’re wondering how that translates to truckloads, how many tons of gravel fit in a dump truck covers hauling capacity. Between the two, you can plan quantity and delivery logistics without guessing.
Common Mistakes When Estimating Gravel Weight
- Using one weight number for every material. Crusher run and river rock aren’t interchangeable for weight per yard.
- Ignoring moisture at order time. Ordering to a dry-weight figure right after rain, in a place like Rapid City, South Dakota, after spring melt, often comes up short.
- Overloading a trailer or pickup. A half-ton truck usually has 1,500 to 2,000 lbs of payload, which is well under a full yard of most gravel.
- Forgetting compaction. A yard of loose material shrinks once it’s spread and rolled, so ordering by finished depth without a compaction allowance leaves you short.
Gravel Monkey sizes most residential orders in tons rather than yards for exactly this reason. It keeps the estimate honest regardless of which material ends up on the truck.
FAQs
Typically 2,700 to 2,800 lbs, or about 1.35 to 1.4 tons, when dry.
Most gravel runs 1.2 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, depending on the material and how much moisture it’s carrying.
Yes. Water sitting between the stones can add 8 to 15 percent to the weight of a load, which matters most right after rain or snowmelt.
Roughly 65 to 70 lbs for most crushed stone or pea gravel, useful for small landscaping jobs where a full yard is overkill.
Usually not safely. A half-ton truck’s payload is typically 1,500 to 2,000 lbs, which covers roughly half a yard of most gravel types. Check your truck’s rated payload before loading.
