Free Sand Calculator
Use this sand calculator to see how much sand to buy for pavers, a sandbox or leveling, by the yard, ton or bag.
Sand is used as a bedding layer under pavers, to fill sandboxes, and to level the ground under pools and play sets. Different jobs need different sand: concrete or "sharp" sand for paver bedding, washed play sand for sandboxes.
Dry sand weighs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard; wet sand can be closer to 1.7.
Play sand calculator example: a sandbox
A 5 × 5 ft sandbox 12 in deep: 25 sq ft × 12 in ÷ 12 = 25 cu ft, plus 10% extra = 27.5 cu ft. Divide by 27 to get 1.02 cubic yards, which weighs about 1.43 tons, or 55 × 50 lb bags (0.5 cu ft).
How deep should sand be?
| Use | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | 1 in | Screeded flat over the compacted stone base. |
| Leveling under an above-ground pool | 2 in | |
| Sandbox | 6 to 12 in | |
| Volleyball court | 12 in or more |
Coverage per cubic yard and per bag
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per 50 lb bag (0.5 cu ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | 6 |
| 2 in | 162 | 3 |
| 3 in | 108 | 2 |
| 4 in | 81 | 1.5 |
| 6 in | 54 | 1 |
| 12 in | 27 | 0.5 |
Buying tips
- For pavers you need two materials: a crushed stone base (use the crushed stone calculator) and a 1 inch sand layer on top.
- Polymeric sand for paver joints is sold separately by the bag; coverage depends on joint width, so follow the bag label.
- Play sand is washed and screened. Do not use construction sand in a child's sandbox.
How much does sand weigh?
A cubic yard of sand typically weighs 2,600 to 3,400 lb (1.3 to 1.7 tons). The calculator uses 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) per cubic yard. Moisture and grading change the weight, so if your supplier sells by the ton, ask for their figure.
Frequently asked questions
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a yard?
About 54 bags, since a 50 lb bag is about 0.5 cu ft and a cubic yard is 27 cu ft.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
About 2,600 to 3,000 lb dry, and more when wet.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 5 × 5 ft sandbox 12 inches deep needs 25 cu ft, a little under a cubic yard, or about 50 bags of 50 lb.
How accurate is this sand calculator?
The sand calculator gives the exact volume for the measurements you enter, then adds 10% extra (you can change it). Weights use a typical 1.4 tons per cubic yard; real loads vary with moisture, so confirm with your supplier if you buy by the ton. Measure carefully: an error of one inch in depth changes a 3 inch layer by a third.
How the sand calculator works
Volume = area × depth. Each area is worked out from its shape (length × width, π × radius², or ½ × base × height), converted to square feet, multiplied by the depth in feet, and added up. Cubic feet ÷ 27 = cubic yards.The extra percentage is then added, and bag counts are rounded up to whole bags. See how we calculate for every figure we use.