Multiply cubic metres by the material’s density in tonnes per cubic metre. One cubic metre of concrete weighs about 2.4 tonnes.
How to use the Cubic Meters to Tons Converter
- Substance
- Custom density
- Cubic metres
- Every result field is editable: type into Tonnes or any other result and Cubic metres plus every other field update to match.
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
The calculator converts your volume to SI units, looks up the density of the selected substance in kg/m³ and multiplies. The result is then shown in tonnes and other common units. Every result field is editable, so you can work backwards too.
How to convert cubic metres to tonnes
- Find the density of the substance (the menu fills it in for you).
- Convert the volume to SI units if needed.
- Multiply volume by density to get mass.
- Convert the answer to tonnes.
1 cubic metre of common substances in tonnes
| Substance | Tonnes per 1 m³ |
|---|---|
| Concrete | 2.4 |
| Gravel (dry, loose) | 1.68 |
| Crushed stone | 1.6 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.6 |
| Sand (wet) | 1.92 |
| Topsoil (loose) | 1.3 |
| Asphalt | 2.24 |
| Mulch (wood) | 0.3 |
| Clay (dry) | 1.6 |
| Water | 1 |
| Ice | 0.917 |
| Pine wood | 0.5 |
| Oak wood | 0.75 |
| Aluminium | 2.7 |
| Steel | 7.85 |
| Copper | 8.96 |
| Lead | 11.34 |
| Gold | 19.32 |
Densities used
| Substance | kg/m³ | g/mL | lb/US gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete | 2,400 | 2.4 | 20.028971 |
| Gravel (dry, loose) | 1,680 | 1.68 | 14.020279 |
| Crushed stone | 1,600 | 1.6 | 13.352647 |
| Sand (dry) | 1,600 | 1.6 | 13.352647 |
| Sand (wet) | 1,920 | 1.92 | 16.023177 |
| Topsoil (loose) | 1,300 | 1.3 | 10.849026 |
| Asphalt | 2,240 | 2.24 | 18.693706 |
| Mulch (wood) | 300 | 0.3 | 2.5036213 |
| Clay (dry) | 1,600 | 1.6 | 13.352647 |
| Water | 1,000 | 1 | 8.3454045 |
| Ice | 917 | 0.917 | 7.6527359 |
| Pine wood | 500 | 0.5 | 4.1727022 |
| Oak wood | 750 | 0.75 | 6.2590533 |
| Aluminium | 2,700 | 2.7 | 22.532592 |
| Steel | 7,850 | 7.85 | 65.511425 |
| Copper | 8,960 | 8.96 | 74.774824 |
| Lead | 11,340 | 11.34 | 94.636886 |
| Gold | 19,320 | 19.32 | 161.23321 |
Good to know
Loose materials such as sand and gravel are lighter per cubic metre than the same material compacted in place.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Substance | Choose one: Concrete, Gravel (dry, loose), Crushed stone, Sand (dry) … |
| Custom density | Units: g/cm³, kg/m³, kg/L, lb/ft³, lb/US gal |
| Cubic metres | Units: m³, L, mL, cL, dL, cm³ (cc) … |
What each result means
- Tonnes = [Cubic metres] × [Density used]
- Short tons = [Cubic metres] × [Density used]
- Kilograms = [Cubic metres] × [Density used]
Formula
mass = volume × densityWorked example
Inputs — Substance: Concrete; Custom density: 1 g/cm³; Cubic metres: 1 m³.
Results — Density used = 2.4 g/cm³; Tonnes = 2.4 t; Short tons = 2.645547 US ton; Kilograms = 2,400 kg.
Frequently asked questions
How many tonnes is 1 m³ of concrete?
About 2.4 t.
How many tonnes is 1 m³ of water?
1 t.
Why does the answer change with the ingredient?
Cubic metres and tonnes measure different things (volume and weight), so the conversion depends on how dense the material is.
What if my ingredient is not listed?
Choose “Custom density” and type its density; the label or a quick weigh-and-measure test will give it.
What formula does the Cubic Meters to Tons Converter use?
mass = volume × density.