Sand Calculator
Calculate the exact amount of sand needed for your project. Enter area dimensions and depth for results in cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, and number of bags.
What is Sand?
A sand calculator converts project dimensions into the volume and weight of sand required for construction, landscaping, and hardscaping applications. Sand is one of the most versatile materials in construction — used as a bedding layer under pavers, as fill material for leveling, as a component in concrete and mortar, and as a drainage medium around pipes and foundations. The calculation follows the same basic volume formula as other fill materials: length times width times depth gives cubic feet. Since depth is typically measured in inches for sand applications (1-4 inches is common), it must be divided by 12 to convert to feet. The result in cubic feet divides by 27 to get cubic yards, which is the standard ordering unit for bulk delivery. Converting volume to weight uses the density of dry sand, which averages 1.3 tons (2,600 pounds) per cubic yard. This is an average for dry, loose sand. Wet sand is significantly heavier — up to 1.7 tons per cubic yard — because water fills the air spaces between grains. When ordering by weight, ask your supplier whether they sell by dry or wet weight, as this affects how much volume you actually receive. For smaller projects, sand is available in bags. A standard 50-pound bag of sand contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet of material. This makes bags convenient for small paver repairs, sandbox fill, or mixing mortar, but impractical for large areas. At about 54 bags per cubic yard, bulk delivery becomes more economical for any project over 0.5 cubic yards. Different sand types serve different purposes. Mason sand (also called mortar sand) is fine-grained and screened, ideal for paver joints, sandboxes, and mortar mixing. Concrete sand is coarser with angular grains that interlock for stability, used under pavers and in concrete mixes. Fill sand is unprocessed and inexpensive, suitable for backfilling trenches and grading. Specialty sands like polymeric sand contain binders that harden between pavers to prevent weed growth and insect intrusion. A 5 percent waste factor is standard for sand applications because sand conforms well to irregular surfaces and does not compress as much as gravel. For projects over uneven ground or where screeding to a precise depth is required, increasing to 10 percent provides a safety margin.
How to Calculate
- Measure the length of the area in feet
- Measure the width of the area in feet
- Determine the required depth of sand in inches (1 inch for paver bedding, 2-4 inches for leveling)
- Set the waste factor (5% for flat areas, 10% for uneven ground)
- Review results for cubic feet, cubic yards, tonnage, and bag count
- Order by cubic yards for bulk delivery or by bag count for small projects
Formula
Cubic Feet = Length (ft) x Width (ft) x Depth (in) / 12 x (1 + Waste Factor / 100) Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet / 27 Tons = Cubic Yards x 1.3 (dry sand density) 50 lb Bags = ceiling(Cubic Feet / 0.5) Depth is divided by 12 to convert inches to feet. The 1.3 multiplier represents the average density of dry sand in tons per cubic yard. Each 50 lb bag contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet of sand.
Example Calculation
A 20 ft x 10 ft paver patio bedding layer, 2 inches deep, 5% waste: Cubic Feet = 20 x 10 x (2 / 12) x 1.05 = 20 x 10 x 0.1667 x 1.05 = 35 cu ft Cubic Yards = 35 / 27 = 1.30 cu yd Tons = 1.30 x 1.3 = 1.69 tons 50 lb Bags = ceiling(35 / 0.5) = 70 bags
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need under pavers?
The standard bedding layer for pavers is 1 inch of screeded sand over a compacted gravel base. This means you need the area in square feet divided by 12 for cubic feet. For a 200 square foot patio, that is about 17 cubic feet or 0.63 cubic yards of sand. Use concrete sand (coarse, angular) rather than mason sand for better interlock.
What is the difference between mason sand and concrete sand?
Mason sand is finely screened with rounded grains, making it smooth and ideal for mortar mix, sandboxes, and between paver joints. Concrete sand has larger, angular grains that compact well and provide stability, making it ideal for bedding layers under pavers and as a concrete aggregate. Using the wrong type can cause settling or drainage problems.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs approximately 2,600 pounds (1.3 tons) per cubic yard. Wet sand weighs 3,000-3,400 pounds (1.5-1.7 tons) per cubic yard because water fills the void spaces. When estimating truck loads, account for moisture — sand delivered from an outdoor stockpile is rarely fully dry.
How many bags of sand fit in a pickup truck?
A standard full-size pickup can safely carry about 1,000-1,500 pounds, which equals 20-30 bags of 50 lb sand. By volume, the truck bed fits 40-50 bags. However, weight is the limiting factor — never exceed your truck's payload rating. For larger quantities, arrange delivery or make multiple trips.
Can I use play sand for construction projects?
Play sand (washed, fine-grain silica sand) is not suitable for most construction applications. It lacks the angular grain shape needed for compaction under pavers, and its fine texture holds moisture poorly for drainage applications. Use construction-grade concrete sand or mason sand for building projects, and reserve play sand for sandboxes and decorative use.
How deep should sand be for a sandbox?
A proper sandbox needs 12-18 inches of sand depth for digging play. For a typical 8x8 foot sandbox at 12 inches deep, you need about 64 cubic feet or 2.4 cubic yards (approximately 3.1 tons). Use play sand specifically — it is washed, screened, and certified free of harmful materials.