How Much Does a Yard of Mulch, Topsoil, or Gravel Weigh?
Updated July 2026
Bulk material is sold by volume (the cubic yard), but it's moved by weight — and the two vary wildly by material. A yard of mulch is under half a ton; a yard of gravel is closer to a ton and a half. Knowing the difference tells you whether your truck can haul it, whether to schedule a delivery, and how to plan the job.
Approximate weight per cubic yard
| Material | Weight per cubic yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood mulch | 600–1,000 lbs | Lighter when dry; soaks up water and gets heavier after rain. |
| Compost | 1,000–1,600 lbs | Varies with moisture and how finished it is. |
| Topsoil | 1,800–2,200 lbs | Screened topsoil; wet or clay-heavy soil runs higher. |
| Sand | 2,400–2,800 lbs | Dense and heavy even when dry. |
| Gravel / crushed stone | 2,600–3,000 lbs | The heaviest common material — plan your load carefully. |
These are typical ranges — actual weight depends heavily on moisture. Assume the higher end after rain.
Wet vs. dry: moisture changes everything
Organic materials like mulch and compost act like sponges. The same yard of mulch that weighs 700 lbs dry can push past 1,000 lbs after a soaking rain. If you're hauling it yourself, weigh your plan against the wet number, not the dry one.
Can your truck (or driveway) handle it?
Volume fools people — a pickup bed might hold two or three yards, but the weight is what matters. A half-ton pickup should really only carry about one cubic yard of soil or gravel; a ¾- or 1-ton truck can handle roughly two. Overloading is a common, genuinely dangerous mistake. For anything more than a yard of heavy material, delivery is usually the safer and easier call — just make sure the truck has clear access to where you want it dropped.
Figure your project in one step
Not sure how many yards you need in the first place? The yardage calculator takes your bed size and depth and returns the cubic yards, bag equivalent, and an estimated weight — so you can plan hauling and delivery before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yard of mulch weigh?
A cubic yard of wood mulch weighs roughly 600–1,000 lbs depending on how wet it is. Dry mulch is on the lighter end; after rain it can gain hundreds of pounds as it absorbs water.
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh?
A cubic yard of screened topsoil weighs about 1,800–2,200 lbs — roughly a ton. Wet or clay-heavy soil can weigh more, so treat a full yard as at least one ton when planning delivery and hauling.
How many yards fit in a pickup truck?
By volume most pickup beds hold 2–3 cubic yards, but weight is the real limit. A half-ton pickup should carry only about one cubic yard of soil or gravel, while a heavier ¾- or 1-ton truck can handle roughly two. You can fit more mulch because it's lighter.
Why does the weight of a cubic yard matter?
Weight determines whether your vehicle can safely haul it, whether your driveway can take a delivery truck, and how the material is priced and moved. Overloading a pickup with a single yard of gravel is a common and dangerous mistake.