How Much Does a Cubic Meter of Soil Weigh?

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One cubic meter of soil weighs between 1.2 and 1.7 metric tonnes, or between 1,200 and 1,700 kilograms. These metric figures convert to between 2,645 and 3,747 pounds, or between 1.3 tons and 1.8 tons, per cubic meter. Loose topsoil is lighter, and compacted topsoil is heavier.

Moisture content also affects density and weight of soil. Myers Group claims that 1 cubic meter of topsoil, with some moisture, is 1.44 metric tonnes. The Engineering ToolBox explains that 1 cubic meter of loose, dry topsoil is 1.22 metric tonnes, and loose, moist topsoil is 1.25 metric tonnes. One cubic meter is approximately 1.3 cubic yards, or 35 cubic feet.

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