Weight by stone type
| Stone | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Wet (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crusher run / #411 | 2,900 | 1.45 | 3,300 lb |
| #57 stone (¾ in clean)common | 2,700 | 1.35 | 3,000 lb |
| #8 chip (⅜ in) | 2,700 | 1.35 | 3,000 lb |
| Pea gravel | 2,800 | 1.40 | 3,100 lb |
| River rock (1–2 in) | 2,600 | 1.30 | 2,850 lb |
| Decomposed granite | 2,900 | 1.45 | 3,300 lb |
Angular stone with fines packs tighter and weighs more. Clean washed stone has more void space, so it is lighter per yard even though the rock itself is identical.
What your vehicle can actually carry
| Vehicle | Safe payload | Gravel it can carry |
|---|---|---|
| Half-ton pickup (F-150 class)common | ~1,500–2,000 lb | ½ yd³ |
| Three-quarter-ton pickup | ~2,500–3,500 lb | 1 yd³ |
| One-ton pickup | ~4,000–6,000 lb | 1½–2 yd³ |
| Single-axle dump | ~5 tons | 3½ yd³ |
| Tandem dump | ~15 tons | 11 yd³ |
A cubic yard of gravel outweighs a half-ton truck’s rated payload. Yards will happily load it; your leaf springs and your insurer will disagree.
Why the weight matters for ordering
Gravel is sold by the ton at almost every quarry, but jobs are measured in inches of depth over an area — that is volume. The density figure is the bridge, and getting it wrong by 10% means ordering 10% short.
One ton of crushed stone covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 65 square feet at 3 inches, and 50 square feet at 4 inches. That is the field shortcut worth remembering.
Moisture only ever costs you. Buying by weight after a wet week means paying for water, and it also means the "tons" you ordered convert to fewer yards on the ground than you planned for.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of gravel weigh in tons?
About 1.35 tons for clean crushed stone, 1.45 tons for crusher run, and 1.3 tons for river rock.
Can a pickup truck carry a yard of gravel?
A half-ton pickup should not — 2,700 lb is above its rated payload. A three-quarter-ton truck can manage one yard; anything more wants a dump truck.
How many square feet will a ton of gravel cover?
About 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, 65 at 3 inches, and 50 at 4 inches.
Does gravel weigh more when wet?
Yes, roughly 10–15% more. A yard of #57 that weighs 2,700 lb dry can hit 3,000 lb after heavy rain.