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Sand Calculator

Updated How we build and test

Enter the area and depth to see how much sand you need for paver bedding, a sandbox or fill, in cubic yards, tons and 50 lb bags.

Shape of the area
%

For screeding, low spots and spillage. Use 0 for the exact volume.

lb / yd³

Sand typically weighs 2,500–2,900 lb per cubic yard; damp sand is heavier.

$

Sand needed

Enter the area and depth to see how much sand you need.

How to use the sand calculator

  1. Enter the length and width of the area, or pick a circle for a round sandbox or fire pit.
  2. Enter the depth of sand. Bedding under pavers is usually about an inch; a sandbox is much deeper.
  3. Adjust the weight per cubic yard if your supplier gives a figure; it also sets how much a 50 lb bag holds.
  4. Add a price per ton, per yard or per bag to compare bulk delivery with bags.

Sand formulas

Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × weight per yd³ ÷ 2,000
Bag volume (ft³) = bag weight ÷ (weight per yd³ ÷ 27)
Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag volume, rounded up

North Bay Materials groups sand with gravel and crushed rock at 2,500–2,900 lb per cubic yard (about 1.35 tons). At the 2,700 lb used here,
a cubic foot of sand weighs 100 lb, so a 50 lb bag holds about 0.5 ft³ and a cubic yard fills 54 bags.

Worked example: bedding sand for a 12 × 16 ft paver patio

The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association’s guide specification for pavers on an aggregate base calls for bedding sand screeded to a nominal 1 in thickness.

  1. Area: 12 × 16 = 192 ft².
  2. Volume: 192 × (1 ÷ 12) = 16 ft³ = 0.59 yd³.
  3. Weight: 0.593 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 0.8 tons.
  4. Bags: 16 ÷ 0.5 = 32 bags of 50 lb, before extra.

A 6 × 6 ft sandbox filled 12 in deep holds 36 ft³ of sand: 1.33 yd³, 1.8 tons or 72 bags of 50 lb.

Sand for common jobs

Job Typical depth Per 100 ft²
Paver bedding layer 1 in (CMHA guide spec) 0.31 yd³ · 0.42 tons · 17 bags
Sandbox Your choice 3.7 yd³ per foot of depth

Which sand to buy

  • Concrete sand is coarse and sharp. Paver makers often specify a coarse, washed sand for bedding, so check your paver manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Mason sand is finer and is used in mortar.
  • Play sand is washed and screened for sandboxes.
  • Joint sand (including polymeric sand) is swept into the joints between pavers after they are laid and is estimated separately from the bag label.

Questions

How much sand do I need for pavers?

For a 1 in bedding layer, about 0.31 cubic yards per 100 ft², plus a little extra for screeding. A 12 × 16 ft patio needs 0.59 yd³.

How many 50 lb bags of sand make a cubic yard?

About 54 bags at 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Denser or wetter sand fills fewer bags per yard.

How much does a yard of sand weigh?

Typically 2,500–2,900 lb, about 1.35 tons, dry to damp. Saturated sand can be heavier.

Is it cheaper to buy sand in bulk or in bags?

For more than a few bags, bulk is often cheaper per yard, but delivery fees and minimum orders can change that. Enter both prices above to compare for your job.

Sources

  1. Landscape Materials Density Chart, North Bay Materials.
    Used for: Typical weights per cubic yard for gravel, sand, dirt and mulch.
  2. Guide Spec PAV-GSP-011-21: Pavers on Aggregate Base, Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association, Nov 3, 2021.
    Used for: Nominal 1 in bedding sand layer under pavers.

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