How do I calculate how much sand I need?

Measure the length, width, and depth of your project area. Multiply them together to get volume in cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. To get weight in tons, multiply volume (ft³) by sand density (typically 100 lb/ft³) and divide by 2,000. This calculator does all conversions automatically and supports rectangular, circular, and triangular areas.

How many bags of sand do I need?

Divide the total weight needed by the bag size. For example, if you need 500 lb of sand: 500 ÷ 50 = 10 bags (50 lb each) or 500 ÷ 80 = 7 bags (80 lb each). This calculator shows both bag sizes automatically. For metric, common sizes are 25 kg and 50 kg bags.

How much does a yard of sand weigh?

One cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,700 lb (1.35 tons). Wet sand is heavier at about 3,240 lb (1.62 tons) per cubic yard. The exact weight depends on the sand type — fill sand is denser (about 1.49 tons/yd³) while silica sand is lighter (about 1.28 tons/yd³).

How much sand do I need for a sandbox?

For a standard 8×8 ft sandbox with 12 inches of depth, you need about 64 cubic feet (2.37 cubic yards) or approximately 3.2 tons of play sand. That is about 128 bags of 50 lb sand. Smaller sandboxes like 4×4 ft need about 16 cubic feet (0.6 yd³) or 0.8 tons.

How much sand for paver base?

Paver bedding sand is typically laid 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. For a 100 sq ft patio, you need about 8.3 cubic feet (0.31 yd³) or 0.42 tons of paver sand. For paver joints with polymeric sand, the depth is usually ¼ inch (6 mm) — much less material is needed.

How much sand do I need for my above-ground pool?

For an above-ground pool base, lay 2 inches (5 cm) of leveling sand. For a 15-ft diameter round pool, you need about 29.5 cubic feet (1.09 yd³) or 1.47 tons. For an 18-ft pool, approximately 42.4 cubic feet (1.57 yd³) or 2.12 tons. Use the circle shape option for accurate round pool calculations.

What type of sand should I use for my project?

Play sand for sandboxes and playgrounds (washed, non-staining). Mason sand for mortar and volleyball courts (fine-grained). Concrete sand for concrete mix and base layers. Polymeric sand for paver joints (hardens when wet). Fill sand for grading and backfilling (cheapest). Silica sand for pool filters and aquariums (high-purity).

Is sand heavier when wet?

Yes, wet sand weighs about 20% more than dry sand. Dry sand is approximately 100 lb/ft³ (1,602 kg/m³) while wet sand is about 120 lb/ft³ (1,922 kg/m³). This matters when calculating delivery costs by weight. If your sand arrives damp, you may receive fewer cubic yards per ton.

How do I calculate cubic yards of sand?

Multiply length × width × depth (all in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27. For example: 10 ft × 10 ft × 0.25 ft (3 inches) = 25 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards. For circles, use π × r² × depth. This calculator handles all conversions between units.

Should I add extra sand for waste?

Yes. Add 5–10% overage for uneven ground, spillage, and compaction. Sand compacts approximately 15–20% when packed, so if you need a specific compacted depth, order extra. This calculator defaults to 5% waste, which you can adjust up to 25%.

How much does a truck load of sand cost?

A standard triaxle dump truck holds about 25 tons. At $15–$50 per ton for sand, a full truckload costs $375–$1,250 plus delivery (typically $50–$150). Pricing varies by sand type, region, and supplier.

Sand Calculator

Project Type

Concrete mix & base layers. 100 lb/ft³.

Units

Area Shape

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Depth (ft)

Sections

Waste / overage

Recommended: 5–10% for most sand projects

Cost estimate

Material price, delivery, and tax.

Concrete Sand

Includes 5% waste · 1 section

Total weight needed

1.31tons

1.31 tons1.19 tonnes2,625 lb

Bags needed

Common bag sizes for buying sand

50 lb bags

80 lb bags

Project summary

Volume, weight & delivery at a glance

Volume

0.97 yd³

26.3 ft³ · 0.74 m³

Weight

2,625 lb(1,191 kg)

Truck loads

0.1

Based on 25-ton triaxle dump truck

What Is a Sand Calculator?

Overview of the tool and what it helps you estimate.

A sand calculator estimates how much sand you need for any construction, landscaping, or DIY project. It converts your area dimensions and depth into volume (cubic yards or cubic meters), then uses sand density to calculate weight in tons, tonnes, and pounds — plus the exact number of bags to buy.

Use it to answer: how much sand do I need? Whether you're building a sandbox, laying a paver base, leveling a pool pad, or filling paver joints with polymeric sand, this calculator covers rectangular, circular, and triangular areas with 12 different sand types and 9 project presets.

Sand Calculation Formulas

Core formulas used for sand volume, weight, and bags.

The calculator uses standard volume and weight formulas. These are the same formulas landscapers and contractors use when estimating sand quantities.

Step 1: Calculate volume by shape

Rectangle: V = Length × Width × Depth

Circle: V = π × (Diameter ÷ 2)² × Depth

Triangle: V = ½ × Base × Height × Depth

Step 2: Convert to cubic yards

Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27

Step 3: Convert to weight

Weight (tons) = Volume (ft³) × Density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000

Weight (tonnes) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000

Step 4: Calculate bags needed

Bags = ⌈ Total weight ÷ Bag size ⌉

Quick rule of thumb: 1 cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons). Wet sand is heavier at about 3,240 lb (1.62 tons) per cubic yard.

Sand Types and Densities

How sand type affects weight and material needs.

Sand Type	lb/ft³	kg/m³	tons/yd³
Play Sand (dry)	100	1,602	1.35
Mason Sand	100	1,602	1.35
Concrete Sand	100	1,602	1.35
Utility / Fill Sand	110	1,762	1.49
Silica Sand	95	1,522	1.28
Horticultural Sand	96	1,538	1.30
Wet Sand (saturated)	120	1,922	1.62

The calculator automatically sets the density when you choose a sand type. You can override the density if you have a specific measurement from your supplier. Wet sand weighs approximately 20% more than dry sand.

Types of Sand & When to Use Them

Choosing the right sand for your project.

Play Sand

Fine, clean, non-staining. Screened and washed for child safety. Used for sandboxes, playgrounds, zen gardens, and horseshoe pits.

Mason Sand

Fine-grained with smooth texture. Used for mortar mix, stucco, volleyball courts, and between pavers. Smoother than concrete sand.

Concrete Sand

Coarser grit mixed with cement for concrete. Also used as a base material under pavers, flagstone, and retaining walls.

Polymeric Sand

Binds and hardens when wet. Fills paver joints to prevent weed growth and insect intrusion. Sold in bags only, not bulk.

Fill Sand

Unprocessed and affordable. Used for grading, backfilling, and foundation work. Not suitable for sandboxes or aquariums.

Silica Sand

High-purity quartz sand. Used in pool filters, industrial applications, aquarium substrates, and golf bunkers. Finer and more uniform.

Sand Calculator Examples

Sample projects with tonnage and volume included.

Sandbox (8×8 ft)

8 ft × 8 ft × 12 in deep — play sand

67.2 ft³ (2.49 yd³) incl. 5% waste

3.36 tons

Paver Base (12×12 ft)

12 ft × 12 ft × 1 in deep — paver sand

12.6 ft³ (0.47 yd³) incl. 5% waste

0.63 tons

Pool Base (15 ft round)

15 ft diameter × 2 in deep — leveling sand

30.9 ft³ (1.15 yd³) incl. 5% waste

1.55 tons

Volleyball Court

60 ft × 30 ft × 12 in deep — mason sand

1,890 ft³ (70.0 yd³) incl. 5% waste

94.50 tons

Sand Cost Guide

Typical pricing ranges by sand type and project.

Sand prices vary by type, region, and order quantity. Here are typical US price ranges (2026):

Play sand$25–$40 per ton (delivered)

Mason sand$30–$50 per ton

Concrete sand$20–$40 per ton

Fill sand$15–$30 per ton

Polymeric sand$0.50–$1.50 per lb (bagged only)

Silica sand$40–$60 per ton

Delivery fees typically range from $50–$150 depending on distance and quantity.

Buying in bulk (by the truckload) is significantly cheaper per ton than bagged sand. A 50 lb bag retails for $4–$6.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Quick checklist to prevent ordering errors.

Mixing up inches and feet for depth — 3 inches is 0.25 feet, not 3 feet.

Forgetting the waste factor — always add 5–10% for uneven ground, spillage, and compaction.

Not accounting for moisture — wet sand can weigh 20% more than dry sand, affecting delivery costs.

Confusing tons and tonnes — a US short ton is 2,000 lb while a metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb.

Using the wrong sand type — polymeric sand is for joints only, not base layers. Fill sand should not be used for sandboxes.

Under-ordering for deep projects — sandboxes and volleyball courts need 12 inches of depth, which requires several tons.

Ordering exactly the calculated amount — always round up to avoid a second delivery charge.

Pro Tips for Ordering Sand

Practical advice for accurate material estimates.

Bulk sand costs a fraction of bagged sand per ton — a 50 lb bag retails for $4–$6, while bulk is $15–$50/ton.

A standard triaxle dump truck holds about 25 tons of sand — plan delivery access accordingly (10 ft minimum clearance).

One ton of sand covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, or 200 sq ft at 1 inch.

Compact and level the base before delivery. Remove debris, weeds, and soft spots first.

Use landscape fabric under sand for sandboxes and paver bases to prevent weeds and soil migration.

Get quotes from 2–3 local suppliers — prices vary dramatically by location and season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and detailed answers

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Last updated Apr 5, 2026