Sand does a lot of quiet work in construction and landscaping: it bedding-levels pavers, fills the gaps between them, forms the base of a play area, backfills trenches and is mixed into mortar and concrete. It is sold by the cubic yard, by the ton or in bags, and it is easy to under- or over-order. This sand calculator converts the area and depth of your project into all of those units.
How to use the sand calculator
- Enter the length and width of the area you are covering.
- Enter the depth of the sand layer.
- Add an allowance for compaction and waste.
- Check the weight per cubic yard and change it if your supplier gives a different figure.
Sand formula
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Weight = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard
50 lb bags = ⌈ weight ÷ 50 ⌉
The unit conversion is exact: a cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. The weight depends on the sand and its moisture, so it is an input rather than a fixed constant.
Worked example: a 10 × 10 ft paver bedding layer
- Depth in feet: 2 ÷ 12 = 0.1667 ft.
- Volume: 10 × 10 × 0.1667 = 16.67 cu ft = 0.617 cu yd.
- Weight at 2,800 lb per cubic yard: 0.617 × 2,800 = 1,728 lb = 0.86 tons.
- Bags of 50 lb: 1,728 ÷ 50 = 34.6 → 35 bags.
Sand quantities with 10% allowance
| Area | Depth | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | Tons (2,800 lb/yd³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 1 in | 4.6 | 0.17 | 0.24 |
| 100 sq ft | 1 in | 9.2 | 0.34 | 0.48 |
| 100 sq ft | 2 in | 18.3 | 0.68 | 0.95 |
| 200 sq ft | 2 in | 36.7 | 1.36 | 1.90 |
| 200 sq ft | 4 in | 73.3 | 2.72 | 3.80 |
| 400 sq ft | 4 in | 146.7 | 5.43 | 7.60 |
Types of sand and where they are used
- Concrete (coarse) sand: bedding under pavers and flagstones; also used in concrete mix.
- Masonry sand: finer, for mortar, bricklaying and as a sub-base.
- Play sand: washed and screened to be safe and soft for sandboxes.
- Polymeric sand: a fine sand mixed with binder for paver joints; use the Polymeric Sand Calculator.
- Fill sand: lower-grade sand for backfilling holes and trenches.
Ordering tips
Bulk delivery is usually much cheaper than bags for anything above about half a cubic yard, because 50 lb bags cost a lot per ton. Check the minimum load and the delivery charge; some suppliers sell sand by the scoop. Keep a tarp over delivered sand to stop it blowing away or soaking up rain. The weight changes the price if you buy by the ton, so ask whether the quote assumes dry or damp sand.
For the stone layer beneath the sand use the Gravel Calculator or Paver Base Calculator, and for a general volume conversion see the Cubic Yard Calculator. For homemade mixes the Concrete Mix Calculator calculates sand from a ratio.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need for a 10 × 10 ft area 2 inches deep?
That area at 2 inches deep is 16.7 cubic feet, or 0.62 cubic yards. At 2,800 lb per cubic yard it weighs about 0.86 tons.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.3 to 1.45 US tons for dry sand, depending on the type and moisture. This calculator assumes 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) and lets you change it.
How deep should paver bedding sand be?
Many paver installation guides specify about 1 inch of bedding sand over the compacted base, screeded level. Follow the guide for your paver; the depth box lets you enter any value.
Why add 10% extra?
Loose sand compacts when it is wet and walked on, and some is lost in handling. 10% is a common allowance; use more for a deep fill.
What kind of sand should I buy?
Coarse concrete (masonry) sand is typical for paver bedding, mason sand for mortar and play sand (washed and screened) for sandboxes. Fill sand or “bank run” works for deep fills. The calculator estimates quantity only.