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Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand to buy for paver bedding, a sandbox, a pool or trampoline base, or leveling a low spot. Enter the size of the area and the depth, and the calculator returns cubic yards, tons and the number of 50 lb bags.
Results are estimates. Soil, stone and mulch settle, weigh differently and vary by supplier. Confirm quantities and local requirements before ordering.
How to calculate it
Sand is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons). Measure the area in feet, multiply length by width, then multiply by the depth in feet (2 inches = 0.167 ft). Divide the cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
To convert to weight, multiply cubic yards by the density. Dry sand weighs about 1.3 tons per cubic yard, and wet sand about 1.5. Yards are what a bulk supplier delivers, while tons are what many quarries charge by.
Worked example
A 12 ft × 12 ft area covered 2 inches deep, with 10% extra:
| Area | 144 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Volume (no extra) | 0.89 cubic yards 24 cubic feet |
| Sand to order | 0.98 cubic yards includes 10% extra |
| Weight | 1.27 tons at 1.3 tons per cubic yard (dry sand (play, masonry, paver base)) |
| Pounds | 2,542 lb |
| 50 lb bags | 51 bags about 0.5 cu ft each |
| Cubic meters | 0.75 m³ |
How far does one ton of sand go?
| Depth | Coverage per ton (dry sand) |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 249 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 125 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 83 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 62 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 42 sq ft |
Tips
- For paver bedding, a 1 inch layer of coarse concrete sand or paver sand is standard. Do not use fine play sand under pavers.
- Sand delivered wet weighs more than dry sand. A load ordered by the ton can contain less volume than you expect.
- Compacted sand ends up lower than loose sand, so allow around 10% extra.
- A sandbox needs 6 to 12 inches of play sand. Cover it when not in use to keep out animals and moisture.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 2,600 lb (1.3 tons) when dry and about 3,000 lb (1.5 tons) when wet. The exact figure depends on the type and moisture.
How much sand do I need for a 10×10 sandbox 6 inches deep?
100 sq ft × 0.5 ft = 50 cu ft, which is about 1.85 cubic yards, or roughly 2.4 tons of dry sand before any extra.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a ton?
40 bags, since a US ton is 2,000 lb.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
Usually a 1 inch screeded layer on top of 4 to 6 inches of compacted base. One cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch.