Sand Calculator
Calculate how much sand you need by the cubic yard, ton, or 50-lb bag for paver bedding, base layers, and fill projects.
Sand Calculator (Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags) Guide
Whether you're bedding pavers, filling a sandbox, or leveling a base, the sand calculator turns your dimensions into the exact amount of sand to order—in cubic yards, tons, and 50-pound bags. Enter the length, width, and depth of your area and it handles the rest, so you avoid the classic mistakes of coming up a half-yard short or paying for a ton you don't need.
How to Calculate How Much Sand You Need
The math is straightforward: multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. If your supplier quotes by weight, multiply the cubic yards by roughly 1.4–1.6 to get tons, since a cubic yard of sand weighs about 2,600–3,200 lb depending on how damp it is. The calculator does these conversions—and adds a waste factor—automatically.
Sand Coverage by Depth — the area one cubic yard covers.
| Depth | Coverage / cubic yard | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | Paver bedding / leveling sand |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | Base under flagstone |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | Sandbox / play area |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | Deeper fill / leveling |
Types of Sand and Where Each One Works
Not all sand is interchangeable. Coarse concrete sand (also sold as bedding or paver sand) is the standard 1-inch leveling layer under pavers because it compacts firm and drains well. Masonry sand is finer and smoother, used in mortar and play sandboxes. Fill sand is a cheaper, coarser sand for raising grade and backfilling. For the compacted stone layer beneath the sand, pair this with our paver base material calculator and stone dust calculator.
Buying Sand: Bags vs. Bulk
About 54 fifty-pound bags of sand fill a single cubic yard, so anything beyond roughly a cubic yard is almost always cheaper delivered in bulk. A full-size pickup holds about 2–3 cubic yards. Add a 5–10% waste allowance for spillage and uneven ground, and convert your volume to tons with our stone tonnage calculator when your supplier sells by weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Use a 1-inch bedding layer of coarse (concrete) sand over your compacted stone base. Multiply the patio's square footage by 0.083 (1 inch in feet), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For example, a 200 sq ft patio needs about 0.6 cubic yards of bedding sand.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 54 fifty-pound bags equal one cubic yard, since each bag holds roughly 0.5 cubic feet and a cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. For anything larger than a yard, bulk delivery is far cheaper than bagged sand.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
A cubic yard of sand weighs roughly 2,600–3,200 pounds (about 1.3–1.6 tons). Wet or compacted sand sits at the heavier end, while dry, loose sand is lighter. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so convert your volume before ordering.
What is the difference between fill sand and masonry sand?
Fill sand is a coarse, inexpensive sand used to raise grade and backfill. Masonry sand is finer and cleaner, used in mortar, between pavers, and in sandboxes. For a paver bedding layer, use coarse concrete sand rather than fine masonry sand.
How deep should sand be under pavers?
A 1-inch layer of bedding sand is standard under pavers—enough to level them without letting them sink or shift. Avoid thicker sand layers, which can rut over time; depth and stability should come from the compacted stone base underneath.
How do I calculate sand for a sandbox?
Measure the sandbox length, width, and desired sand depth in feet, multiply them for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A typical 5 ft × 5 ft sandbox filled 6 inches deep needs about 0.5 cubic yards of play sand.