5 Cubic Yards of Gravel in Tons
5 cubic yards of gravel in tons works out to about 7.0 tons using a planning weight of 1.4 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 6.5 and 7.5 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 14,000 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 5 × 1.4 = 7.0 tons.
- Low end: 5 × 1.3 = 6.5 tons.
- High end: 5 × 1.5 = 7.5 tons.
Quarries can tell you the weight per yard for their own product; use it if you have it.
What 5 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 810 |
| 3 in | 540 |
| 4 in | 405 |
| 6 in | 270 |
About gravel
Plain gravel is a loose term. Yards use it for rounded bank or river stone as well as for crushed rock, so ask whether the load is washed, crushed or a mix before you lock in a tonnage.
Hauling 5 yards
At about 7.0 tons, this is a load most single-axle dump trucks can take. A pickup is a poor fit for anything past a fraction of a yard; see how much gravel a half-ton pickup can carry.
Before you order
- Confirm whether the yard prices gravel by the ton or by the yard.
- Add about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.
- Clear a firm spot for the truck to dump.
The volume and tonnage calculator converts any area and depth into yards and tons.
Good and poor uses for gravel
Best suited to:
- Rural driveways and lanes where low upfront cost matters
- Drainage areas and around downspouts
- Temporary access while a site is under construction
Think twice for:
- Steep slopes, where loose stone washes downhill
- Spots plowed often, since plows push gravel into the lawn
- Areas next to doors, because stone tracks inside
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.43 tons of gravel (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.3 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 12x24 area at 3 inches takes about 3.7 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 5 yards of gravel?
About 7.0 tons, with a typical range of 6.5 to 7.5.
How many pounds is 5 cubic yards of gravel?
About 14,000 pounds.
How much area does 5 yards of gravel cover at 4 inches?
About 405 square feet.
Why does gravel weight vary?
Stone size, the share of fines and moisture all change how much a yard weighs.
Is it better to buy by the ton or the yard?
Either works; just convert with the supplier’s own weight per yard so the two quotes compare fairly.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh?
- 3 Cubic Yards of Gravel in Tons
- 4 Cubic Yards of Gravel in Tons
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