How To Convert Metric Tons To Cubic Yards

A metric ton, or tonne, is the metric equivalent of a ton and converts approximately to 1.1 U.S. tons, or short tons as they are sometimes called. Mass-to-volume conversions depend on the density, which is mass or weight per unit of volume. You can convert from metric tons to cubic yards by multiplying the material's mass by its density and then doing the metric conversion.

Step 1

Multiply the amount in metric tons by 1,000 to convert to kilograms. For example, five metric tons converts to 5,000 kilograms.

Step 2

Find the volume in cubic meters. Divide the mass in kilograms by the density of the substance. Different substances have different densities. In the example, if the material is solid ice, which has a density of 919 kilograms per cubic meter (see the SI Metric link in Resources), then the volume is 5.44 cubic meters (5,000 / 919).

Step 3

Convert to cubic yards. Multiply the amount in cubic meters by 1.3079. To conclude the example, the volume is about 7.12 cubic yards (5.44 cubic meters x 1.3079).