Use this sand calculator to see how much sand you need for a sandbox, paver bedding or fill, in cubic yards, tons and 50 lb bags.
How to use the sand calculator
- Enter the length and width of the area, or pick a circle for a round sandbox or fire pit.
- Enter the depth of sand. Bedding under pavers is usually about an inch; a sandbox is much deeper.
- Adjust the weight per cubic yard if your supplier gives a figure; it also sets how much a 50 lb bag holds.
- 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.
- Area: 12 × 16 = 192 ft².
- Volume: 192 × (1 ÷ 12) = 16 ft³ = 0.59 yd³.
- Weight: 0.593 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 0.8 tons.
- 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.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27. A 6 × 6 ft sandbox filled 12 in deep holds 1.33 yd³, about 1.8 tons or 72 bags of 50 lb play sand.
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons at 2,700 lb per yard (range 1.25–1.45 tons for dry to damp sand). Enter your supplier’s weight above for an exact conversion.
How many sandbags does a yard of sand fill?
About 68 to 77 sandbags. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says to fill a sandbag one-half to two-thirds full, which weighs about 35 to 40 lb. At 2,700 lb per cubic yard, that is about 68 bags at 40 lb or 77 bags at 35 lb. Wet sand is heavier, so it fills fewer bags.
How much area does a ton of sand cover?
At 2,700 lb per cubic yard, a ton of sand is about 20 cubic feet. That covers about 240 ft² at 1 in deep, 120 ft² at 2 in or 80 ft² at 3 in. Enter your area and depth above for an exact figure.
Sand guides
- How much sand and gravel base for pavers Depth chart for the bedding sand and base layers.
Sources
- Landscape Materials Density Chart, North Bay Materials.
Used for: Typical weights per cubic yard for gravel, sand, dirt and mulch. - 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. - Sandbagging, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District.
Used for: Filling sandbags one-half to two-thirds full, about 35 to 40 lb each.