Sand Calculator

Q: How much sand do I need?

Multiply length x width x depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10x10 patio at 1-inch depth needs about 0.37 cubic yards. Add 10 to 15% for compaction.

Q: How much does a yard of sand weigh?

One cubic yard weighs 2,600 to 3,000 lbs (1.3 to 1.5 tons) dry. The Concrete Network's sand guide notes wet sand can weigh 20 to 30% more, which matters for truck payload limits.

Q: Play sand vs masonry sand?

Play sand is kiln-dried and screened for child safety (ASTM C33). Masonry sand is coarser with angular grains for mortar mixes, too rough for sandboxes.

Q: How deep should a sandbox be?

CPSC recommends 12 inches minimum for fall protection. For basic sandboxes without climbing structures, 8 to 10 inches works.

How much sand do I need? Get cubic yards, tons, 50 lb bags, weight, and cost for pavers, sandboxes, leveling, and concrete mix.

Project Dimensions

Project preset

Paver Base

1" typical

Under pavers. Adjust depth if your project needs a thicker layer.

Sand Type

Paver/Leveling Sand · For paver bedding layers · $42/ton

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (inches)

Ready to calculate

Enter your project dimensions

Last updated June 9, 2026 by our expert review team

Sand Types & Costs

Play Sand

$32/ton

Fine grain, sandbox safe

Masonry Sand

$38/ton

For mortar and concrete mixes

Paver/Leveling Sand

$42/ton

For paver bedding layers

Fill Sand

$20/ton

General fill and grading

Polymeric Sand

$25/bag

For paver joints (50lb bag)

Expert Contributors

Creator

Ruth Wairimu

Landscape Architect

Ruth Wairimu

Landscape Architect

Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.

See full profile

Expert Review

Hawkin

Certified Cost & Estimating Professional

Hawkin

Certified Cost & Estimating Professional

AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.

See full profile

Updated June 2026

How we verify our calculators

Sand by project guide comparing paver bedding, sandbox sand, concrete mix sand, and leveling fill sand. — Match sand to the job before ordering. Bedding sand, play sand, mix sand, and fill sand behave differently once compacted or wet.

Sand Coverage by Depth

1" Deep

324 sq ft/yd³

Paver base

2" Deep

162 sq ft/yd³

Standard base

6" Deep

54 sq ft/yd³

Deep fill

12" Deep

27 sq ft/yd³

Sandboxes

How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh?

A cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,600–2,800 lb (1.3–1.4 tons). Wet sand runs 20–30% heavier. Use these to convert between volume, weight, and bags before ordering.

Sand type	Weight per yd³	yd³ per ton	50 lb bags per yd³
Play sand	2,600 lb	0.77	52
Masonry / fill sand	2,700 lb	0.74	54
Paver / leveling sand	2,800 lb	0.71	56

≈ 0.7 yd³ of sand per ton, and roughly 52–56 × 50 lb bags fill one cubic yard. Moisture and compaction shift truck payload, so confirm with your supplier.

Pro Tips

Screed your 1-inch sand layer using two parallel 1" steel conduit pipes as rails. Drag a straight 2x4 across them for a perfectly flat paver surface.

Use washed, screened play sand for sandboxes. Keep construction sand, polymeric sand, and stone dust out of play areas.

Compact sand in 2-inch lifts maximum using a plate compactor. A single thick pour won't compact evenly and settles unevenly within weeks.

For paver projects, sand is only one layer. Use our Paver Base Calculator to estimate the crushed stone base layer underneath.

Need gravel instead of sand for your project? Our Pea Gravel Calculator handles pathways and decorative coverage estimates.

In cold climates, avoid laying polymeric sand after October. It needs 24 hours above 32°F to cure or it washes out with spring rain.

How the Calculator Works

Start with the finished area and depth. The calculator converts that volume to cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bag counts.

Sand density changes by type. Play sand is lighter than paver or polymeric sand, and wet sand can weigh more than a dry stockpile.

Waste covers edge loss and handling. Compaction covers the loose material needed to finish at the target depth after tamping or settling.

Formula

Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) = Cubic Feet

Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27 × (1 + Waste %) × (1 + Compaction %)

Tons = Cubic Yards × selected sand density

Quick Reference

Play sand density: ~1.3 t/yd³
Paver sand density: ~1.4 t/yd³
50 lb bag covers: ~0.5 cu ft
Paver base depth: 1-2 inches
Sandbox depth: 12 inches

Frequently Asked Questions About Sand

How much sand do I need?

Multiply length x width x depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10x10 patio at 1-inch depth needs about 0.37 cubic yards before waste and compaction.

How much does a yard of sand weigh?

One cubic yard weighs about 2,600 to 3,000 lbs dry. The Engineering ToolBox material density table shows why moisture and compaction can change truck payload planning.

Play sand vs masonry sand?

Play sand is washed and screened for play areas. Masonry sand is meant for mortar and concrete work, so it can be coarser and dustier.

How deep should a sandbox be?

For playground equipment, CPSC loose-fill guidance uses deeper maintained surfacing. For a simple ground-level sandbox, many homeowners plan 8 to 12 inches.

Polymeric sand for all paver joints?

It works best in joints 1/16" to 1.5" wide. Narrower joints won't fill properly; wider joints may crack. Use gator dust for joints over 1.5".

How deep should sand be under pavers?

1 inch screeded over compacted gravel for patios (ICPI standard). For driveways, use 1 to 1.5 inches over a 6-inch aggregate base.

Bagged or bulk sand?

Bulk costs $20 to $45/ton. Bags run $160 to $240/ton equivalent. Bulk saves 60 to 75% for anything over 0.5 cubic yards.

What about gravel for drainage?

For drainage layers under sand beds, our Stone Calculator estimates crushed stone quantities, and the French Drain Calculator covers full drainage system materials.

Sand Estimates for Common Projects

Backyard Sandbox

8×8 ft, 12" deep

Type: Quikrete Play Sand #1113Amount: ~3.1 cu yd (~4.1 tons)Cost: $130

A full 12-inch fill gets heavy fast. Price bulk delivery against bagged play sand before moving dozens of bags by hand.

Paver Patio Bedding

12×20 ft, 1" deep

Type: Paver/Leveling Sand (ASTM C33)Amount: ~1.0 cu yd (~1.4 tons)Cost: $58

Use a 1-inch screeded bedding layer over compacted aggregate. Order joint sand separately after the pavers are set.

Driveway Paver Base

10×40 ft, 1.5" deep

Type: Masonry Sand + Polymeric JointsAmount: ~2.4 cu yd (~3.3 tons) + 6 bags polymericCost: $275

Driveway pavers need a compacted aggregate base below the sand. Use the Paver Base Calculator for that separate base layer.

Sand Mistakes That Cost You Money

Wrong sand type for paver joints

Regular sand washes out within months. Use polymeric sand with polymer binders that harden when activated with water.

Not accounting for compaction loss

Sand compresses 15 to 25% under a plate compactor. A finished 1-inch layer requires 1.2 to 1.25 inches of loose sand.

Ordering by volume when supplier sells by weight

Wet sand weighs up to 30% more than dry. Confirm moisture conditions or you may get fewer cubic yards than expected.

Skipping the gravel base under pavers

Sand alone shifts under load. Pavers need 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone beneath the sand bedding layer (ICPI standard).

Spreading sand too thick in one lift

Compactors only work in 2-inch lifts. A 6-inch fill needs three separate passes to avoid voids and uneven settling.

Activating polymeric sand on a damp surface

Even light dew causes premature bonding and white haze that is extremely hard to remove. Install only on completely dry days.

Important Disclaimer

These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.