Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand to order for a sandbox, paver bedding, pool base or fill. Pick a shape, enter its size and the depth, and get the volume in cubic yards or cubic meters, the weight in tons and the number of bags.
Paver bedding sand: 1 in. Sandbox: 6-12 in.
Paver bedding sand: 2.5-3 cm. Sandpit: 15-30 cm.
For compaction, uneven ground and spillage.
How to use the Sand Calculator
- Choose units and the shape of the area you are filling.
- Enter the dimensions and the depth of sand you want.
- Pick the sand type: dry sand is about 100 lb per cubic foot, wet sand is heavier.
- Set the bag size and an allowance for compaction, and add a price if you want a cost.
- Read the results: cubic yards or m³ to order, the weight and the number of bags.
Sand volume and weight formulas
- Rectangle: area = length × width
- Circle: area = π × diameter² ÷ 4
- Triangle: area = base × height ÷ 2
Volume (cu ft) = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12, and cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27. In metric, volume (m³) = area (m²) × depth (cm) ÷ 100.
Weight = volume × density. With dry sand at 100 lb/ft³ (1,602 kg/m³): tons = cu yd × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = cu yd × 1.35.
Example: a 12 × 12 ft patio with 1 in of bedding sand: 144 × 1/12 = 12 cu ft = 0.44 cu yd. Add 10%: 13.2 cu ft, about 0.49 cu yd, 1,320 lb (0.66 tons) or 27 bags of 50 lb.
Sand coverage per cubic yard
| Depth | Area covered by 1 cu yd | Area covered by 1 ton (dry, 100 lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 240 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 120 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 80 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 60 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 40 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | 20 sq ft |
Approximate sand densities
| Sand | lb/ft³ | kg/m³ | Tons per cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry, loose | ~90 | ~1,440 | ~1.2 |
| Dry, typical | ~100 | ~1,600 | ~1.35 |
| Damp or packed | ~110 | ~1,760 | ~1.5 |
| Wet | ~120 | ~1,920 | ~1.6 |
Moisture and grain size change the weight a lot, so suppliers may quote slightly different figures. Ask whether they sell by volume or by weight.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much sand I need?
Multiply length × width × depth, with all three in feet, to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For a 10 × 10 ft area 2 in deep: 10 × 10 × 2/12 = 16.7 cu ft = 0.62 cu yd. Add about 10% for compaction and uneven ground.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 100 lb per cubic foot, so a cubic yard weighs about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons). Loose dry sand is lighter, around 2,400 lb, and wet sand can exceed 3,200 lb per cubic yard. A cubic meter of dry sand weighs about 1.6 tonnes.
How many bags of sand make a cubic yard?
A 50 lb bag of dry sand holds about 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard (27 cu ft, about 2,700 lb) takes about 54 bags. For more than about a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 5 × 5 ft sandbox filled 8 in deep needs 5 × 5 × 8/12 = 16.7 cu ft of sand, which is about 0.62 cu yd or roughly 34 bags of 50 lb. Use washed play sand made for sandboxes.
How much sand goes under pavers?
Pavers are usually laid on a 1 inch layer of coarse bedding sand over a compacted gravel base. One cubic yard of sand covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep.
Does sand compact?
Yes. Loose sand settles and compacts when it is wetted and tamped, often by 10% or more. That is why an extra allowance is included and why it is better to order a little more than the exact volume.