Sand Calculator: Calculate Sand Volume and Weight for Any Project
Use our free sand calculator to determine how much sand you need for construction, landscaping, sandboxes, and paver projects. Designed for contractors and DIY homeowners, this tool converts your project dimensions into volume, weight, and coverage area, in imperial units.
How to use this calculator.
- Enter your dimensions. Input the length, width, and depth of the area to be filled with sand.
- Adjust the density. Sand density varies by type and moisture content. The default is 100 lb/ft³ for dry sand; adjust it if you know your specific material.
- Review your results. The calculator displays volume (cubic yards), weight (tons), and coverage area instantly.
- Cross-check against supplier units. Most sand suppliers sell by the ton or by the cubic yard: compare both figures to your supplier's pricing.
- Print or save. Use your browser's print function for a jobsite-ready summary of your results.
How do you calculate sand volume and weight?
To calculate sand weight, multiply the area (length × width) by the depth (converted to feet), convert to cubic yards, then multiply by the material density to get the weight in tons.
Volume (cu yd) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
Weight (tons) = Volume (cu yd) × Density (lb/ft³) × 27 ÷ 2,000
Where:
- Length and width: The dimensions of the area to be filled with sand, in feet.
- Depth: The desired depth of the sand layer, in inches.
- Density: The mass per unit volume of the sand. Standard dry sand is approximately 100 lb/ft³. Wet sand runs heavier at 110-120 lb/ft³, and coarse concrete or masonry sand can exceed 105 lb/ft³.
Example calculation.
Let's calculate the sand needed for a backyard sandbox.
Scenario: A sandbox measuring 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, filled 4 inches deep with dry play sand at 100 lb/ft³.
- Calculate the area: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft
- Convert depth to feet: 4 inches ÷ 12 = 0.33 ft
- Calculate volume in cubic feet: 200 sq ft × 0.33 ft = 66.7 cu ft
- Convert to cubic yards: 66.7 cu ft ÷ 27 = 2.47 cu yd
- Calculate weight in tons: 2.47 cu yd × 100 lb/ft³ × 27 ÷ 2,000 = 3.3 tons
- Check coverage: 2.47 cu yd × 324 ÷ 4 = 200 sq ft (confirms the full sandbox area).
Result: You need approximately 3.3 tons (2.47 cubic yards) of dry sand to fill this sandbox 4 inches deep.
Tips from the field.
- Moisture changes weight, not volume. Wet sand can weigh 20-30% more than dry sand per cubic yard, so if your supplier sells by weight rather than volume, factor in moisture content.
- Use coarse sand for paver bedding. A 1-inch bedding layer of washed concrete sand under pavers is the industry standard; never use fine or beach sand for structural bedding.
- Never use beach sand for construction. Its rounded grains and salt content compromise compaction strength and can corrode nearby metal and rebar.
- Order 10% extra. Settling, spillage, and uneven subgrade consume more sand than the flat math suggests.
- Bulk delivery beats bagged sand. For any project over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is significantly cheaper per ton than buying 50-lb bags.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. Sand weight varies significantly with moisture content and grain type. For structural or load-bearing applications, consult a licensed professional. PavementCalculator.com assumes no liability for material overages or shortages.
Cost, price, and density figures on this page reflect approximate U.S. averages as of August 2026 and vary by region, supplier, and material availability.
Frequently asked questions.
How much sand do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet, convert inches ÷ 12), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For a 20 ft × 10 ft area at 4 inches deep: 20 × 10 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = 2.47 cubic yards. One cubic yard of sand weighs approximately 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons). Use our calculator above for exact estimates.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
For a 1-inch sand bedding layer: multiply paver area (sq ft) by 0.0031 to get cubic yards needed. For a 300 sq ft patio: 300 × 0.0031 = 0.93 cubic yards of bedding sand. Add joint sand: approximately 1 bag (50 lbs) of polymeric sand per 60-80 sq ft of pavers. Bedding sand should be coarse, washed concrete sand.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
A cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,600-2,800 lbs (1.3-1.4 tons). Wet sand weighs 3,000-3,200 lbs (1.5-1.6 tons) per cubic yard due to water weight. Masonry sand and concrete sand are denser (2,800-3,000 lbs/yd³), while play sand and fine sand are lighter (2,400-2,600 lbs/yd³).
How much does sand cost?
Sand costs $15 to $50 per ton depending on type. Concrete sand costs $15-$25/ton, masonry sand $25-$40/ton, play sand $40-$50/ton, and polymeric joint sand $20-$30 per 50-lb bag. Bulk delivery is cheapest for large projects (5+ yards). Delivery fees typically add $50-$100.
What type of sand do I need for my project?
Use coarse concrete sand for paver bedding and under slabs. Use masonry sand (fine, clean) for mortar and stucco. Use play sand (washed, rounded) for sandboxes and playgrounds. Use polymeric sand (with binders) for paver joints. Never use beach sand for construction: the salt and round grains compromise structural strength.
How many bags of sand equal a cubic yard?
One cubic yard of sand equals 54 bags of standard 50-lb sand, or 27 bags of 100-lb sand. At $4-$6 per 50-lb bag, bagged sand costs $216-$324 per cubic yard: much more than bulk sand at $25-$50 per yard. For projects over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is significantly cheaper.