How to calculate how much sand you need
Sand is sold in bulk by the cubic yard or the ton, and in bags by weight or volume. Start with the volume: measure the length and width of the area, decide how deep the sand should be, and multiply.
Cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × density (about 1.35 tons per cubic yard)
Depth is usually in inches, so divide by 12 first: 2 inches is 0.167 ft. For a round sandbox or pool, choose Circle; for a triangle, the area is base × height ÷ 2.
Sand settles and compacts, especially when it is wetted and tamped, so add 5% to 10% to the order. The calculator adds 5% by default; change it in the extra percentage field.
Worked example: filling a sandbox
Say you are filling a 6 ft by 6 ft sandbox to a depth of 12 inches.
- Area: 6 × 6 = 36 sq ft
- Depth: 12 ÷ 12 = 1 ft
- Volume: 36 × 1 = 36 cubic feet
- Cubic yards: 36 ÷ 27 = 1.333 cubic yards
- Weight at 1.35 tons per cubic yard: 1.333 × 1.35 = 1.80 tons
- In 50 lb bags (about 0.5 cubic foot each): 36 ÷ 0.5 = 72 bags
With 5% extra, that becomes 37.8 cubic feet, or 76 bags. At that size, compare the price of bags with a small bulk delivery.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
This calculator assumes 1.35 US short tons per cubic yard (about 2,700 lb, or 100 lb per cubic foot) for dry sand. That is a common planning figure, not a measurement: the real weight depends on the grain size and, above all, on moisture. Wet sand can weigh noticeably more. Replace the value in the density field with the figure your supplier quotes.
| Material | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Dry sand | 1.2–1.4 | 2,400–2,800 |
| Damp sand | 1.4–1.6 | 2,800–3,200 |
| Wet sand | 1.5–1.7 | 3,000–3,400 |
| Depth | Sq ft covered by 1 cubic yard | Sq ft covered by 1 ton |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 240 |
| 2 in | 162 | 120 |
| 4 in | 81 | 60 |
| 6 in | 54 | 40 |
Which sand for which job?
The quantity is the same whatever the type, but the right sand is not. Coarse concrete sand is the usual choice for bedding pavers and flagstones, typically in a 1 inch layer. Fine mason sand is used for mortar and as a smooth finish layer. Washed play sand is sold for sandboxes. Leveling under an above-ground pool usually calls for a few inches of sand; follow the pool manufacturer's instructions. The fine sand swept into paver joints, including polymeric sand, is bought separately in bags.
Building a patio? The paver calculator works out the pavers, the gravel base and the bedding sand together. For a gravel layer, use the gravel calculator, and for garden beds the topsoil calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need under pavers?
A 1 inch bedding layer is standard. That is 8.33 cubic feet, or about 0.31 cubic yards, per 100 sq ft, which weighs roughly 0.42 tons at 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 short tons (2,700 lb) for dry sand, with a typical range of 1.2 to 1.4. Damp or wet sand weighs more, so ask your supplier for their figure.
How many bags of sand make a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. A 50 lb bag of sand holds about half a cubic foot, so it takes about 54 bags to make one cubic yard.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply the length, width and depth in feet. A 6 × 6 ft sandbox filled 12 inches deep needs 36 cubic feet, or 1.33 cubic yards, which is about 72 bags of 50 lb.
Is sand sold by the yard or by the ton?
Both. Bulk suppliers price sand per cubic yard or per ton, and bags are sold by weight. Convert with the density: tons = cubic yards × 1.35 by default.
More free calculators
These calculators give estimates for planning only. Densities, bag sizes and coverage vary by supplier, so confirm quantities before you order.