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Sand Calculator

Calculate the sand you need for a paver base, a sandbox or leveling, in cubic yards, tons or bags.

  • Feet + inches
  • Sourced data
  • No sign-up
Calculator
ft
in
ft
in
in

1" for paver bedding, 6–12" for a sandbox

×

Identical beds or spots

t/yd³

Tons per cubic yard. Ask your supplier for theirs.

$

Sand needed

1.23 cu yd

33.3 cubic feet over 200 sq ft

Weight
1.6 tons (3,210 lb)
Bags of 0.5 cu ft
67

Suppliers sell bulk material in whole or half yards. Round up: an extra half yard costs less than a second delivery.
How it works Formula, reference tables and pro tips

How to calculate sand

Area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 gives cubic feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards, and multiply by about 1.3 for tons. For bags, divide cubic feet by the volume on the bag (usually 0.5 cu ft for a 50 lb bag).

Sand needed per 100 sq ft

DepthCubic yardsTons (at 1.3)0.5 cu ft bags
1 in0.310.4017
2 in0.620.8034
4 in1.231.6067
6 in1.852.41100
12 in3.704.81200

Which sand for which job

TypeUse it for
Concrete sand (coarse, washed)Paver bedding, mixing concrete, under pools
Masonry sand (fine)Mortar, stucco
Play sandSandboxes
Polymeric sandJoints between pavers only
Fill sandFilling holes and trenches

Quick answers

How much sand do I need under pavers?

Use a 1 inch layer of coarse concrete sand as the bedding layer. Industry guidance caps it at about 1 inch because thicker sand compacts unevenly and the pavers end up rutting. 100 sq ft of patio needs about 0.31 cubic yards.

How much does a yard of sand weigh?

Dry sand weighs roughly 1.2 to 1.35 tons (2,400–2,700 lb) per cubic yard. Wet sand weighs more. The calculator uses 1.3 tons; change it to your supplier's figure.

How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a yard?

A 50 lb bag of play or all-purpose sand holds about 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard is about 54 bags. That's a lot of bags, so bulk delivery is usually worth it above half a yard.

How much sand do I need for a sandbox?

Fill 6 to 12 inches deep. A 5 × 5 ft sandbox at 8 inches needs 16.7 cubic feet, or about 34 bags of 0.5 cu ft. Use washed play sand sold for sandboxes.

What kind of sand should I use?

Concrete (coarse) sand for paver bedding and concrete, masonry sand for mortar, play sand for sandboxes, and polymeric sand only for filling the joints between pavers.

More calculators

Mulch Calculator

Cubic yards or 2 and 3 cu ft bags for any bed, at the right depth.

Gravel Calculator

Tons and cubic yards of gravel, crushed stone or road base.

Topsoil Calculator

Topsoil for lawns, garden beds and raised beds, in yards or bags.
See all calculators

These calculators give estimates for planning and shopping. Product yields, densities and coverage vary by brand and site conditions, so check the label and your supplier. For structural work, follow your local building code and permit requirements.