How to Convert Cubic Yards of Top Soil to Tons
Cubic yards of topsoil are converted to tons by multiplying the number of cubic yards times the soil density (in tons per cubic yard):
____ cubic yards X ____ soil density factor = approximately ____ tons
Soil density varies based on the type of soil. If soil density is in units other than tons per cubic yard then it must be converted to tons per cubic yard.
The result will be an estimate as actual density of your soil may vary from the soil density estimate used in the calculation.
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Instructions
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How to Convert Cubic Yards of Top Soil to Tons
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1
Write down or enter into a calculator the number of cubic yards of soil.
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2
Identify the density of the soil being used.
If you do not know the density, use the following information from the U.S. State of Washington Department of Ecology (See References 1, also Reference 2 for validation of Reference 1) as a guideline:
Clay : 1.05 U.S. tons per cubic yard
Earth/soil : 1.35 U.S. tons per cubic yard
Limestone : 1.35 U.S. tons per cubic yard
Sand, dry/loose : 1.35 U.S. tons per cubic yard
Sand, wet/packed : 1.60 U.S. tons per cubic yardClay : 0.955 metric tons per cubic yard
Earth/soil : 1.227 metric tons per cubic yard
Limestone : 1.227 metric tons per cubic yard
Sand, dry/loose : 1.227 metric tons per cubic yard
Sand, wet/packed : 1.455 metric tons per cubic yardIf you do not know the type of soil, use 1.35 U.S. tons per cubic yard or 1.227 metric tons per cubic yard.
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3
Calculate tons of soil.
Earth/soil U.S. tons example:
500 cubic yards X 1.35 U.S. tons per cubic yard (soil density from the preceding table) = approximately 675 U.S. tons of soil.
Earth/soil metric tons example:
500 cubic yards X 1.227 metric tons per cubic yard (soil density from the preceding table) = approximately 613.5 metric tons of soil.
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Tips & Warnings
Multiplication or rounding errors can occur. Check your calculation carefully.
