CalcWoven • Sand Calculator
Sand Calculator
Enter your area and depth to get cubic yards, tons and bags of sand, plus an estimated cost. It works for paver bedding, play areas and general fill. Free, with no sign-up.
Some entries are not valid. Fix the highlighted fields to see your results.
Area and depth
Enter the depth for your project.
Sand weight
About 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Dry sand is commonly quoted at roughly 1.1–1.4 tons per cubic yard.
Bags and cost (optional)
Bagged sand is sold by weight, and many bags are 50 lb. Check the weight printed on your bag.
You need
- Area—
- Cubic feet—
- Cubic meters—
- Estimated weight—
- Metric tonnes—
- Bags needed—
- Estimated cost—
Results update as you type.
Formula: area × depth ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards; × tons per cubic yard = tons.
HOW IT WORKS
From area and depth to cubic yards and tons
The calculator multiplies area by depth to get cubic feet, then divides by 27 to get cubic yards. It then multiplies cubic yards by the weight of your sand to estimate tons, because suppliers sell sand by the cubic yard, by the ton or in bags. In one step, cubic yards = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324.
For example, a 20 × 10 ft area at 2 inches deep is 200 × 2 ÷ 324 = 1.23 cubic yards. At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that is about 1.67 tons, or 67 bags of 50 lb.
How much does sand weigh?
Sand has no single weight, because moisture and grain size change it. Engineering references list dry sand at about 97 lb per cubic foot (roughly 2,620 lb per cubic yard) and wet sand at about 119 lb per cubic foot (roughly 3,210 lb per cubic yard). The calculator rounds these to planning values, and you can enter your own with Custom density.
| Sand condition | Planning weight | In pounds per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Dry sand | About 1.35 tons per yd³ | About 2,700 |
| Damp to wet sand | About 1.60 tons per yd³ | About 3,200 |
For comparison, our gravel weight guide and topsoil weight guide cover the other bulk materials. Always confirm the weight with your supplier before ordering by the ton.
How far does a ton of sand go?
At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, one ton of dry sand is about 20 cubic feet. Here is how much area it covers at each depth, before any extra allowance.
| Depth | Area covered by 1 ton of dry sand |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 120 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 80 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 60 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 40 sq ft |
| 12 inches | 20 sq ft |
Sand for pavers
The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) says bedding sand should be spread and screeded to a nominal 1 inch (25 mm) thickness, and that it should be concrete sand meeting ASTM C33. ICPI says not to use masonry sand, stone dust or limestone screenings for bedding. A 200 sq ft patio at 1 inch needs 200 ÷ 324 = 0.62 cubic yards, or about 0.83 tons of dry sand. The Paver Calculator works out bedding sand together with the base and pavers, and you can read more in paver base depth and how to install pavers.
Sand for a play area
For public playgrounds, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says never to use less than 9 inches of loose-fill surfacing, other than shredded rubber. Loose fill compresses over time, and guidance based on the CPSC handbook notes that an initial depth of 12 inches settles to about 9 inches. A 20 × 10 ft fall zone at 12 inches needs 200 × 12 ÷ 324 = 7.41 cubic yards, about 10 tons of dry sand. Check the CPSC handbook for your equipment’s fall height. For a small sandbox, the same math applies: a 4 × 4 ft box filled 12 inches deep needs 16 cubic feet, or about 0.59 cubic yards and 32 bags of 50 lb.
Sand needed for common areas
| Area | 1 inch deep | 2 inches deep | 3 inches deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.15 yd³ / 0.21 tons | 0.31 yd³ / 0.42 tons | 0.46 yd³ / 0.63 tons |
| 100 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ / 0.42 tons | 0.62 yd³ / 0.83 tons | 0.93 yd³ / 1.25 tons |
| 200 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ / 0.83 tons | 1.23 yd³ / 1.67 tons | 1.85 yd³ / 2.50 tons |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ / 2.08 tons | 3.09 yd³ / 4.17 tons | 4.63 yd³ / 6.25 tons |
Figures use dry sand at 1.35 tons per cubic yard, before any extra allowance.
Sources
- ICPI Tech Spec 9: Guide Specification for Interlocking Concrete Pavement
- ICPI: Bedding Sand Selection for Interlocking Concrete Pavements
- Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department: Playground surfacing (based on the CPSC handbook)
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care: Family child care playground safety (based on the CPSC handbook)
- Engineering ToolBox: Dirt and mud densities
QUICK ANSWERS
Common questions
How many cubic yards of sand do I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches, then divide by 324. For example, 500 sq ft at 2 inches is 500 × 2 ÷ 324 = 3.09 cubic yards.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.35 tons (2,700 lb) for dry sand and about 1.6 tons (3,200 lb) for damp to wet sand. Ask your supplier which weight they use. For weights by sand type and moisture, see how much does a yard of sand weigh.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of dry sand (2,700 ÷ 50), or about 64 bags of damp to wet sand (3,200 ÷ 50). Bagged sand is sold by weight, so the count depends on the bag weight printed on your product.
How much sand do I need for a paver patio?
ICPI says bedding sand should be screeded to a nominal 1 inch. That is area ÷ 324 cubic yards, so a 200 sq ft patio needs about 0.62 cubic yards. See the Paver Calculator for the whole project.
Does wet sand weigh more?
Yes. Water fills the spaces between grains, so the same volume of damp or wet sand weighs more than dry sand. Choose the wet option if your sand is damp.
Does this calculator know sand prices?
No. Prices vary by sand type, region, delivery distance and load size. Enter your own price per ton, cubic yard or bag for a cost estimate.
MORE TOOLS
Working on the rest of the project?
Use the Paver Calculator for a patio with its base and bedding sand, the Gravel Calculator for the base layer, the Concrete Calculator for slabs, the Mulch Calculator for beds, or the Cubic Yards Calculator for other materials. For the math behind the conversion, see square feet to cubic yards. Questions about this tool? See the FAQ.
Weights are planning estimates and vary by moisture, grain size and supplier. This calculator gives a general estimate based on the measurements you enter. Results are for reference only.