How to Convert Compacted Cubic Yards to Tons

When undertaking any large-scale landscaping, construction or renovation job, you will inevitably need to do some hauling. However, it can be difficult to determine the weight of your load, because different materials have different densities and, therefore, different weights. Converting compacted cubic yards to tons is a simple way to determine their approximate weight.

Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the composition of the material you wish to convert. The density of the material correlates directly to the weight of each compacted cubic yard.
- 2
  Apply the appropriate density ratio to your materials. The following ratios apply to common materials in landscaping and construction projects: 1 compacted cubic yard of newsprint weighs .43 tons; 1 compacted cubic yard of white goods (i.e., major appliances) weighs .5 tons; 1 compacted cubic yard of grass clippings weighs .6 tons; 1 compacted cubic yard of leaves weighs .25 tons; 1 compacted cubic yard of brush weighs .5 tons; and 1 compacted cubic yard of wood weighs .35 tons.
- 3
  Use your calculator to multiply the number of compacted cubic yards by the corresponding ratio. For example, 20 compacted cubic yards of newsprint weighing .43 tons per compacted cubic yard would weigh 8.6 tons.

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