How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Published weights of a cubic yard of sand run from 2,430 to 3,510 lb across 8 values from 4 documents, measured in different conditions. The calculators use 2,795 lb per loose cubic yard, the middle of Missouri DOT's 2,630–2,960 lb per cubic yard, because Missouri DOT marks its range as loose; the higher values are compacted or wet sand. One ton of sand is about 0.72 cubic yards.
0 uses the published 2,795 lb/yd³
Optional; 0 leaves cost out
1 ton of sand is about 0.72 loose cubic yards at 2,795 lb per loose cubic yard.
- Cubic yards
- 0.72
- Cubic feet
- 19.3
- Tons
- 1
- Pounds
- 2,000
- Cubic yards at the published range, same condition
- 0.67–0.82
- Rounded up to the next half yard
- 1 yd³
How it is calculated
- Pounds = 1 ton × 2,000 lb = 2,000 lb.
- Cubic yards = 2,000 lb ÷ 2,795 lb/yd³ = 0.72 yd³.
- Cubic feet = 0.72 yd³ × 27 = 19.3 cu ft.
Published weight of a cubic yard of sand
| Publisher | Category and condition in the document | Value as printed | Pounds per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | “Sand, dry | 1 cubic foot | 90-110 | FEECO” Condition: dry, compaction not stated | 90–110 lb/ft³ | 2,430–2,970 |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | “Sand, loose | 1 cubic yard | 2,441 | Tellus” Condition: loose | 2,441 lb/yd³ | 2,441 |
| U.S. Census Bureau | “Table 4. One cubic yard of Sand (SCTG 11010) 2,600 pounds” Condition: not stated | 2,600 lb/yd³ | 2,600 |
| Missouri Department of Transportation, Engineering Policy Guide (used by the calculators) | “LOOSE WEIGHTS: Sand 97/101/106/110 lb per cu ft; 2,630/2,740/2,850/2,960 lb per cu yd” Condition: loose | 2,630–2,960 lb/yd³ | 2,630–2,960 |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | “Sand, moist | 1 cubic foot | 100-110 | FEECO” Condition: moist, compaction not stated | 100–110 lb/ft³ | 2,700–2,970 |
| Missouri Department of Transportation, Engineering Policy Guide | “COMPACTED WEIGHTS: Sand 105/109/113/118 lb per cu ft; 2,830/2,950/3,060/3,180 lb per cu yd” Condition: compacted | 2,830–3,180 lb/yd³ | 2,830–3,180 |
| New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division | “Sand | 1.45 (cubic yards to short tons conversion factor)” Condition: not stated | 1.45 ton/yd³ | 2,900 |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | “Sand, wet | 1 cubic foot | 110-130 | FEECO” Condition: wet, compaction not stated | 110–130 lb/ft³ | 2,970–3,510 |
Sand weight by volume
At 2,795 lb per cubic yard, 5 cubic yards of sand weigh about 13,975 lb (6.99 tons) and 10 cubic yards about 13.98 tons.
| Volume | Pounds | Tons | Tons, published range, same condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic foot | 104 | 0.052 | 0.045–0.055 |
| 0.5 cubic yards | 1,398 | 0.7 | 0.61–0.74 |
| 1 cubic yard | 2,795 | 1.4 | 1.22–1.49 |
| 2 cubic yards | 5,590 | 2.8 | 2.43–2.97 |
| 3 cubic yards | 8,385 | 4.19 | 3.65–4.46 |
| 5 cubic yards | 13,975 | 6.99 | 6.08–7.43 |
| 10 cubic yards | 27,950 | 13.98 | 12.15–14.85 |
| 15 cubic yards | 41,925 | 20.96 | 18.23–22.28 |
| 20 cubic yards | 55,900 | 27.95 | 24.3–29.7 |
How many yards in a ton of sand?
One ton of sand is about 0.72 cubic yards at 2,795 lb per loose cubic yard, and 0.67–0.82 cubic yards across the published values in the same condition. Five tons is about 3.58 cubic yards.
| Tons | Cubic yards | Cubic yards, published range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.72 | 0.67–0.82 |
| 2 | 1.43 | 1.35–1.65 |
| 3 | 2.15 | 2.02–2.47 |
| 4 | 2.86 | 2.69–3.29 |
| 5 | 3.58 | 3.37–4.12 |
| 6 | 4.29 | 4.04–4.94 |
| 7 | 5.01 | 4.71–5.76 |
| 8 | 5.72 | 5.39–6.58 |
| 9 | 6.44 | 6.06–7.41 |
| 10 | 7.16 | 6.73–8.23 |
| 15 | 10.73 | 10.1–12.35 |
| 20 | 14.31 | 13.47–16.46 |
| 25 | 17.89 | 16.84–20.58 |
Why the weight of sand differs between sources
The published values for sand range from 2,430 to 3,510 lb per cubic yard across 8 values from 4 documents. A cubic yard weighs more when the material is wet than when it is dry, and more when it is compacted than when it is loose; the documents above measured it in different conditions. Stone from different quarries also differs in density and in the share of fines between the larger pieces.
For an order, ask the supplier for the weight per cubic yard of the material they deliver, and use it as your own density in the converter.