Accurately determine the total weight in tonnes, US short tons, and pounds based on moisture content and sand grain classification.
Approx 0 Standard Dump Truck Loads (10-ton capacity)
Shows the relationship between moisture content, compaction, and resulting metric tonnage.
Shows the relationship between moisture content, compaction, and resulting metric tonnage.
Mathematical formulas and engineering constants powering this calculator.
Calculates total mass from volume and measured material density.
Accounts for free water saturation adding 15–20% extra weight.
Standard legal trade conversion between US Tons, Tonnes, and Lbs.
Sand weight depends heavily on its moisture state. Dry loose sand weighs approximately 100 lbs per cubic foot (1,600 kg/m³), whereas saturated or wet sand can exceed 120–130 lbs per cubic foot (1,900–2,100 kg/m³).
Key questions on dry vs wet sand weights, metric tonne conversions, and delivery loads.
One cubic yard of dry construction sand weighs approximately 2,700 lbs (1.35 US tons or 1.22 metric tonnes). When saturated with rainwater or ground moisture, wet sand weight increases to 3,240 lbs (1.62 US tons or 1.47 metric tonnes) per cubic yard.
To convert between mass units:
• 1 US Short Ton = 2,000 lbs = 0.907 Metric Tonnes
• 1 Metric Tonne = 2,204.6 lbs = 1.102 US Short Tons = 1,000 kg
• Pounds to Tons: Divide pounds by 2,000.
When moisture (4% to 6% water by weight) is added to sand, surface tension creates water films around each grain that push them apart. This phenomenon—known as the bulking of sand—increases loose volume by up to 20–30% while adding water weight.
Dump truck capacities depend on axle count: Single-axle trucks haul 5–7 tons (4–5 yd³); Tandem-axle trucks haul 10–12 tons (8–10 yd³); Tri-axle dump trucks haul 15–18 tons (12–14 yd³); and End-Dump semi-trailers carry 22–26 tons.