Bulk landscape materials are commonly sold by weight or volume. Understanding the difference between a ton and a cubic yard can help you compare materials, estimate your project needs, and plan for safe pickup or delivery.
What Is a Ton?
A ton is a measurement of weight. One ton equals 2,000 pounds.
PRO Aggregate sells most bulk materials by weight using our certified scale. Your vehicle is weighed before and after loading, and you are charged for the actual weight of the material you receive.
What Is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a measurement of volume. One cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet and can be pictured as a space measuring 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.
A cubic yard always represents the same amount of space, but its weight will vary depending on the material.
Why Does the Weight of a Cubic Yard Vary?
Different materials have different densities. A cubic yard of bark will weigh much less than a cubic yard of gravel or soil.
Weight may also change depending on:
- The type of material
- The size of the material
- Moisture content
- Compaction
- Seasonal weather conditions
Materials that absorb or retain water may weigh more during wet weather. This is why converting cubic yards to tons is an estimate rather than an exact measurement.
Why Does PRO Aggregate Sell by Weight?
Selling by weight allows each load to be measured using our certified scale. Customers pay for the actual weight loaded instead of relying on an estimated bucket volume.
A certified scale also provides a consistent way to measure materials when moisture, density, and other conditions change.
How Much Area Will One Cubic Yard Cover?
As a general estimate, one cubic yard of material may cover approximately 120 to 150 square feet at a depth of about 2 inches.
Coverage will vary depending on the material's size, shape, compaction, and the condition of the project area. Larger rock and cobble may provide less consistent coverage than finer materials.
How Much Can My Vehicle Carry?
Before picking up bulk material, check the payload capacity of your truck or trailer. Payload capacity is not determined only by whether a truck is called a half-ton, three-quarter, or one-ton model.
Refer to the vehicle manufacturer's information and the payload label inside the driver-side door. Remember that passengers, tools, fuel, and other cargo also count toward the total payload.
Overloading a vehicle or trailer can affect steering, braking, tires, and overall safety. If you are unsure whether your vehicle can safely carry the material, ask us about delivery options.
Need Help Estimating Your Material?
Bring us the approximate length, width, and desired depth of your project area. Our team can help estimate the amount of material needed and convert that estimate into tons for the specific product you are purchasing.
Call us at (530)342-8028 or visit us at 3668 Hicks Lane in Chico
Build with the PRO's.