If you've ordered bulk landscape materials before, you've probably run into the weight question: how heavy is this stuff, and does it matter for my project? The answer is yes — weight affects how many loads you need, whether your access point can handle delivery, and how you should plan for moving material around your yard.
This guide covers the weight of every major bulk landscape material, in one place.
Why Weight Matters When Ordering Bulk Materials
Weight determines:
- Load capacity. Delivery trucks have legal weight limits. Dense materials like gravel and topsoil max out a truck faster than light materials like mulch — which is why our load limits differ by material type.
- Access requirements. A loaded dump truck delivering 6 yards of gravel is pushing 55,000–60,000 lbs combined. Your driveway, any soft areas, or wooden bridges on your property need to be able to handle that weight.
- Project planning. If you're building a retaining wall, a raised bed, or a base course for a patio, knowing material density helps you plan structure and support correctly.
Weight Reference: Common Bulk Landscape Materials
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| Screened topsoil / loam (dry) | ~2,000 lbs |
| Screened topsoil / loam (moist) | ~2,200–2,400 lbs |
| Fill dirt (moist) | ~2,300–2,500 lbs |
| Clay soil | ~2,500–3,000 lbs |
| Sandy loam | ~1,900–2,100 lbs |
| Crushed gravel / stone (3/4") | ~2,800–3,200 lbs |
| Pea gravel | ~2,800–3,000 lbs |
| Decomposed granite | ~2,700–3,000 lbs |
| Crushed stone dust / screenings | ~2,700–2,900 lbs |
| Mason sand / concrete sand | ~2,600–2,800 lbs |
| Play sand | ~2,500–2,700 lbs |
| Wood chip mulch (dry) | ~400–600 lbs |
| Shredded bark mulch | ~500–700 lbs |
| Colored/dyed mulch | ~600–800 lbs |
| Rubber mulch | ~1,400–1,600 lbs |
A few things stand out:
Gravel and stone are heavier than soil. Dense aggregate like crushed gravel can run 3,200 lbs per cubic yard — about 50% heavier than a cubic yard of dry topsoil.
Mulch is dramatically lighter than everything else. Wood chip mulch weighs only 400–700 lbs per cubic yard — roughly 20–25% the weight of soil. This is why Ottr's mulch load capacity is 10 cubic yards per load, compared to 6 cubic yards for dense materials.
Sand is heavier than most people expect. A cubic yard of play sand or mason sand weighs about 2,700 lbs — similar to moist topsoil.
How Much Does a Yard of Dirt Weigh vs. a Yard of Gravel?
| Material | 1 Yard | 3 Yards | 6 Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil (moist) | ~2,200 lbs | ~6,600 lbs | ~13,200 lbs |
| Fill dirt (moist) | ~2,400 lbs | ~7,200 lbs | ~14,400 lbs |
| Crushed gravel | ~3,000 lbs | ~9,000 lbs | ~18,000 lbs |
| Mulch | ~600 lbs | ~1,800 lbs | ~6,000 lbs |
Six yards of crushed gravel weighs about 9 tons — substantially more than the same volume of topsoil. If your project involves both, plan the deliveries separately.
Ottr's Load Capacity: Why It Differs by Material
- Up to 6 cubic yards per load for dense materials: topsoil, fill dirt, loam, gravel, crushed stone, sand, decorative stone
- Up to 10 cubic yards per load for mulch
Delivery fee: Flat $100 per load, regardless of material type or quantity within the load limit.
How Moisture Changes the Weight of Dirt in New England
- Spring (March–May): The wettest period. Saturated soils can push topsoil and fill dirt weight up 20–30% above summer baseline. Spring frost laws also restrict heavy truck delivery on some roads.
- Summer (June–September): Driest period. Material weight is at its lowest and most consistent. Ideal for large bulk orders.
- Fall (October–November): Soil begins to retain more moisture. Still a great ordering window, but expect material to be heavier than summer.
- Winter: Frozen material is harder to spread and work with. Delivery is available but limited by weather and access conditions.
Weight Considerations for Your Property
Driveway Load Capacity. A standard residential concrete driveway is typically rated for 8,000–10,000 lbs per axle. Our loaded dump truck can have a rear axle load of 34,000+ lbs. For most driveways this isn't an issue since the truck parks at the edge to dump — but always communicate concerns when ordering.
Soft Ground and Wet Conditions. After heavy rain or during spring thaw, ground that looks solid can be surprisingly soft. If you're concerned about ruts or ground damage, ask your driver to deliver as close to a paved area as possible.
Raised Decks and Structures. If your drop zone is near a retaining wall or other structure, factor in material weight when positioning the pile. A 6-yard pile of topsoil (13,000+ lbs) concentrated in one spot can exert significant pressure.
Calculate Your Order
Volume (cubic yards) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27
Number of loads = Total cubic yards ÷ load capacity (6 for dense materials, 10 for mulch) — always round up.
Total delivery cost = Number of loads × $100
Example — 10 yards of topsoil: 10 ÷ 6 = 2 loads → $200 delivery total.
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Order Bulk Landscape Materials Across Greater Boston
Ottr Landscape Supply delivers topsoil, fill dirt, crushed gravel, mulch, sand, and decorative stone to over 315 service areas in Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Middlesex Counties. Same-day delivery available.
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Ottr Landscape Supply is a female-owned, family-run landscape materials delivery business serving Greater Boston, MA. We make it easy to get the right material in the right quantity, delivered to your door.
