Landscaping
Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand you need for a paver base, leveling layer, sandbox or fill. This sand calculator gives the volume in cubic yards, the weight in tons, and the number of 50 lb bags, with an allowance for compaction and an optional cost per ton, per yard or per bag.
Result
Enter your measurements and press Calculate. What to buy, the working and the cost will appear here.
How to use the sand calculator
- Measure the area as a rectangle or circle, or enter a known area. Add rows for separate areas.
- Enter the depth of sand: about 1 inch of bedding sand under pavers, 2–4 inches for leveling, 12 inches or more for a sandbox.
- Choose the type of sand. If your supplier gives a weight per yard, enter it instead.
- Check the bag weight (50 lb is standard) and add a price, then press Calculate.
How much sand do I need?
cubic yards = area (ft²) × depth (in) ÷ 324
tons = cubic yards × about 1.35 tons per yard
50 lb bags = tons × 2,000 ÷ 50
A 12 ft × 12 ft patio with a 1 inch sand bed needs 144 × 1 ÷ 324 = 0.44 cubic yards, about 0.6 tons, or 24 bags of 50 lb before any allowance.
Worked example: filling a sandbox
A 6 ft × 6 ft sandbox is filled 12 inches deep with play sand, with 5% extra, and 50 lb bags cost $6 each:
- Area 1: 6 ft × 6 ft = 36 ft²; × 12 in (1 ft) = 36 ft³
- With allowance: 1.333 yd³ × 1.05 = 1.4 yd³
- Weight: 1.4 yd³ × 1.3 tons/yd³ = 1.82 tons
- Bags: 3,640 lb ÷ 50 lb per bag = 73 bags
The sandbox takes 1.82 tons of sand (1.4 yd³), which is 73 bags of 50 lb at about $438.00. That is a lot of bags to lift: a half-ton or one-ton bulk delivery of washed play sand is often cheaper. Open this example in the calculator.
Types of sand and their weight
| Sand | Per cubic yard | Metric | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose or fill sand | 1.35 tons2,700 lb | 1.6 t/m³ | General sand for fill, leveling and bases. |
| Concrete sand (coarse) | 1.4 tons2,800 lb | 1.66 t/m³ | Coarse washed sand; the usual bedding layer under pavers. |
| Mason sand (fine) | 1.3 tons2,600 lb | 1.54 t/m³ | Fine washed sand for mortar and smooth leveling. |
| Play sand | 1.3 tons2,600 lb | 1.54 t/m³ | Fine, washed and screened sand for sandboxes. |
These are dry, loose weights. Damp sand straight from a stockpile can weigh 10–20% more, which matters if you are buying by the ton.
Sand coverage chart
| Depth | One ton covers | One cubic yard covers | One 50 lb bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 240 ft² | 324 ft² | 6 ft² |
| 2 in | 120 ft² | 162 ft² | 3 ft² |
| 4 in | 60 ft² | 81 ft² | 1.5 ft² |
| 6 in | 40 ft² | 54 ft² | 1 ft² |
| 12 in | 20 ft² | 27 ft² | 0.5 ft² |
Sand under pavers
A typical paver patio has a compacted gravel base (4–6 in for walkways and patios) topped with a 1 inch screeded layer of coarse concrete sand, then pavers, then joint sand swept into the gaps. Calculate the gravel base with the gravel calculator and the pavers with the paver calculator. Joint sand (including polymeric sand) is a small extra quantity; follow the bag’s coverage chart.
Buying sand
- Bulk sand is sold by the ton or the cubic yard. Quarries usually sell by weight; landscape yards often by volume.
- Bags are sold by weight, usually 50 lb. 40 bags make a ton, so bags only make sense for small jobs.
- Match the sand to the job. Coarse concrete sand for paver bedding, fine mason sand for mortar, washed play sand for sandboxes.
Assumptions and limitations
- Weights are typical dry, loose figures; damp sand is heavier.
- The allowance covers compaction under pavers and spillage.
- Bags are counted by weight, so a 50 lb bag holds about half a cubic foot.
Sand questions
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
About 1.3–1.4 tons (2,600–2,800 lb) when dry and loose; more when damp.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a yard?
About 54 bags at 1.35 tons per yard (2,700 lb ÷ 50 lb). There are 40 bags of 50 lb in a ton.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
For a 1 inch bedding layer, about 0.31 cubic yards per 100 ft², or roughly 0.4 tons. Add joint sand separately, following the bag’s coverage.
How much play sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply length × width in feet by the depth in feet. A 4 ft × 4 ft sandbox filled 1 ft deep holds 16 ft³, about 0.6 cubic yards: roughly 0.8 tons of play sand, or around 31 bags of 50 lb.
Formulas, unit conversions and default values are explained on our methodology page. Results are estimates; check manufacturer data and local codes before you buy or build.