How Much Does a 5-Gallon Bucket of Gravel Weigh?
How much does a 5 gallon bucket of gravel weigh? A level-full 5-gallon bucket of gravel typically weighs about 65 to 75 pounds, depending on the stone type, size, and moisture. A 5-gallon bucket holds about 0.67 cubic feet, and most gravel weighs around 95 to 110 pounds per cubic foot. That is heavy enough that many people only fill buckets partway when carrying them by hand.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Weights by material
| Material | Approximate weight per cubic foot | 5-gallon bucket, level full |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel, dry | About 95 to 110 lb | About 65 to 75 lb |
| Crushed stone | About 95 to 105 lb | About 65 to 70 lb |
| Sand, dry | About 95 to 105 lb | About 65 to 70 lb |
| Sand, wet | About 115 to 130 lb | About 75 to 85 lb |
| Topsoil, dry | About 75 to 90 lb | About 50 to 60 lb |
| Wet concrete | About 145 to 150 lb | About 95 to 100 lb |
| Water | About 62.4 lb | About 42 lb |
Figures are approximate. Moisture makes a large difference.
Why “5 gallons” is not exact
Many buckets hold a bit more than 5 gallons when filled to the rim, and few people fill them to the brim with stone. A heaped bucket can weigh more, while a bucket filled to the top ring is often a little less than the table values.
Buckets per cubic yard
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At about 0.67 cubic feet per bucket, that is roughly 40 buckets per cubic yard. Divide by your bucket count to estimate volume, or see cubic feet to cubic yards.
Buckets per ton
At about 70 pounds per bucket, a ton of gravel fills roughly 28 to 30 buckets. Gravel weight per yard is covered in gravel weight per yard.
Carrying tips
- Fill buckets halfway to two-thirds to keep loads manageable.
- Use buckets with sturdy handles; thin handles cut into hands.
- Carry two half-full buckets, one in each hand, for balance.
- Use a wheelbarrow or garden cart for longer distances.
Hauling buckets in a vehicle
Forty buckets of gravel weigh well over a ton, more than most car trunks or small SUVs should carry. Check your vehicle’s payload rating before loading, and see how much gravel a half-ton pickup can carry.
Bottom line
A 5-gallon bucket of gravel weighs roughly 65 to 75 pounds when level full, with sand similar, wet sand heavier, and wet concrete close to 100 pounds. About 40 buckets make a cubic yard. Fill buckets partway for safe carrying, and check payload before hauling many at once.
Questions people ask
How much does a 5 gallon bucket of gravel weigh?
About 65 to 75 pounds when level full, depending on stone and moisture.
How many 5 gallon buckets are in a yard of gravel?
Roughly 40 buckets, since each holds about 0.67 cubic feet.
How much does a 5 gallon bucket of sand weigh?
About 65 to 70 pounds dry and more when wet.
How much does a 5 gallon bucket of concrete weigh?
Wet concrete weighs about 95 to 100 pounds per level-full bucket.
How many buckets of gravel make a ton?
Roughly 28 to 30 level-full buckets.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh? Tons per Yard by Stone Type
- How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh? Dry vs. Wet Tons
- Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards: Conversion and Examples
- How Much Gravel Can a Half-Ton Pickup Carry?
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