Sand Calculator
Cubic yard of sand calculator: yards, tons and 50 lb bags from area and depth for fill, play, mason or paver sand.
Your estimate
0.81 cu yd
Sand needed (incl. waste)
- Weight (short tons)
- 1.1 tons
- 50 lb bags
- 44
- Volume
- 22 cu ft
- Area
- 120 sq ft
Show the math
- Area = length × width = 120 sq ft
- Volume = area × depth × (1 + 10%) = 22 cu ft = 0.81 cu yd
- Weight = volume × 1.6 t/m³ = 1 t = 1.1 short tons
- Bags = weight ÷ 50 lb = 44
Shopping list & cost
| Item | Spec | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill sand / all-purpose sand | 1.6 t/m³ (≈ 2,697 lb per cu yd) | 1.1 tons | — |
| Or bagged sand | 50 lb bags | 44 bags | — |
Prices are what you enter under Advanced options. Estimates only — check stock and pricing with your supplier.
Quick answer A 12 × 10 ft area at 2 in deep needs 0.81 cu yd of sand with 10% extra — about 1.1 tons of fill sand or 44 × 50 lb bags. A 4 × 3 m area at 5 cm needs 0.66 m³ (1.06 t). One cubic yard of sand weighs about 2,600–3,200 lb depending on moisture. Volume = length × width × depth.
Method & assumptions
Volume = Length × Width × Depth × (1 + waste %) cu yd = cu ft ÷ 27 Weight (t) = Volume (m³) × Density (t/m³); short tons = tonnes × 1.1023 Bags = Weight ÷ bag weight
- Density
- ≈ 1.55–1.9 t/m³ (2,600–3,200 lb per cu yd) from dry to wet
- Waste
- allowance for compaction, screeding and uneven ground
Assumptions & limits
- Densities are typical loose values; ask your supplier for their figure when ordering by weight.
- Bag counts are by weight; a 50 lb bag of dry play sand is about 0.5 cu ft.
- Compacted sand takes up less volume than loose — the waste factor covers typical compaction.
Rounding: purchase quantities are always rounded up to whole units as sold. See our methodology.
Diagram
How to use this calculator
- Measure the area — length and width, or diameter for a round sandbox or pad.
- Set the depth: 1 in for paver bedding, 2 in under an above-ground pool, 6–12 in for a sandbox.
- Pick the sand type. Wet sand weighs much more than dry, which matters when ordering by the ton.
- Keep about 10% extra for compaction and an uneven base.
- Order bulk by the cubic yard or ton for large jobs; bags only make sense for small areas.
Worked examples
One cubic yard of sand at 2 in deep
- 1 cu yd = 27 cu ft
- At 2 in (2/12 ft), area before waste = 27 ÷ (2/12) = 162 sq ft
- With 10% extra, order 1.10 cu yd for that 162 sq ft
Imperial: 8 ft round sandbox, 10 in deep, play sand
- Area = π × 4² = 50.3 sq ft; volume = 41.9 cu ft; +10% = 46.1 cu ft
- = 1.71 cu yd ≈ 2.2 tons at 1.55 t/m³ → about 90 × 50 lb bags
Metric: patio 5 × 4 m, 30 mm bedding sand
- 20 m² × 0.03 = 0.6 m³; +10% = 0.66 m³
- × 1.7 t/m³ = 1.12 t — one bulk bag
Purchase: 12 × 12 ft paver bed at 1 in, concrete sand
- Same 10% extra and the concrete / paver bedding density (1.7 t/m³) on this calculator
- Order 0.49 cu yd, which is 0.7 short tons, or 29 × 50 lb bags
- The paver calculator counts the pavers. This page is only the sand layer. The cubic yard calculator does not add waste or bags.
Purchase: 24 ft round pool base at 2 in, fill sand
- Area 452 sq ft. With 10% extra and fill sand at 1.6 t/m³: 3.07 cu yd
- Weight 4.14 short tons, or 166 × 50 lb bags
- Bagged sand at this size is a lot of lifting. The yard figure is the bulk order.
In depth: sand planning notes
Choosing the right sand
Sand is not one product. Fill sand is inexpensive, unwashed material for raising grade or backfilling. Mason sand is fine and washed, used for mortar and often sold as play sand. Concrete sand (ASTM C33) is coarser and angular, which is why interlocking paver manufacturers specify it for the 1 in bedding layer under pavers — it drains and locks together better than fine sand or stone dust. Polymeric jointing sand is a separate, bagged product swept into paver joints after installation.
For a sandbox, use washed, screened play sand; for under an above-ground pool, most pool makers specify a smooth, compacted layer of mason or masonry sand about 2 in deep under the liner. Volleyball and beach areas use deeper layers of specially graded sand. The calculator's depth help gives typical figures; the manufacturer's instructions always win for pools and pavers.
Ordering by the yard or by the ton
Landscape yards sell sand by the cubic yard or by the ton, and the conversion depends heavily on moisture. Dry sand weighs roughly 2,600–2,800 lb per cubic yard; damp sand from a stockpile can be 3,000 lb or more. If you order by weight, ask the yard what density they use, or order by volume. One short ton of dry fill sand is about 20 cu ft — enough for about 120 sq ft at 2 in deep.
For small jobs, 50 lb bags of play or all-purpose sand (about 0.5 cu ft each) avoid a delivery charge, but they get expensive quickly: one cubic yard is about 54 bags. Above roughly 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery almost always costs less. Keep 10% extra for compaction and an uneven base, and store leftover sand covered so it stays clean and dry for top-ups and joint filling.
Reference table
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer (screeded) | 1 in (25–30 mm) |
| Under an above-ground pool | 2 in (50 mm) |
| Sandbox / play area | 6–12 in (15–30 cm) |
| Leveling under a shed base or slabs | 1–2 in (25–50 mm) |
| Volleyball court | 12–18 in (30–45 cm) |
Key facts
- 1 cu yd of sand
- ≈ 1.3–1.6 short tons
- 50 lb bags per cu yd
- ≈ 54 (dry)
- 1 ton of dry sand covers
- ≈ 120 sq ft at 2 in
Tips & common mistakes
- Use washed concrete sand (ASTM C33) for paver bedding — fine play sand and stone dust hold water and can shift.
- For a sandbox, buy washed, screened play sand and add a breathable cover to keep animals out.
- Bulk sand is sold wet more often than not; a ton of wet sand is less volume than a ton of dry sand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a cubic yard of sand?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27, then apply the waste percent. One cubic yard is 27 cu ft, which covers 162 sq ft at 2 in deep before waste. Weight is separate: about 2,600–3,200 lb per yard depending on moisture. The cubic yard calculator converts volume only and does not add sand waste or bags.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
About 2,600–2,800 lb dry and up to about 3,200 lb wet — roughly 1.3–1.6 short tons.
How many bags of sand are in a yard?
About 54 bags of 50 lb (0.5 cu ft each) per cubic yard of dry sand.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
A 1 in bedding layer needs 1 cu yd per 324 sq ft before waste, plus a little jointing sand. A 12 × 12 ft patio with 10% extra and concrete sand at 1.7 t/m³ is 0.49 cu yd, 0.7 short tons, or 29 × 50 lb bags. The paver calculator counts the pavers.
How much sand do I need under a pool?
At 2 in deep, a 24 ft round above-ground pool is 452 sq ft. With 10% extra and fill sand at 1.6 t/m³ that is 3.07 cu yd, 4.14 short tons, or 166 × 50 lb bags.
How much area does a ton of sand cover?
About 120 sq ft at 2 in deep, or 240 sq ft at 1 in, for dry fill sand — less if the sand is wet.
Sources
- Quikrete – Premium Play Sand tear pad (PDF) — accessed : “Contains approx. ½ cubic foot (14 L) of Play Sand. (50 lb bag)”
- Holcim UK – Aggregate & sub-base calculator (density table, t/m³) — accessed : “Sharp Washed Sand 1.65”
- National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association — general reference — not cited for a specific figure
- ICPI / CMHA – interlocking concrete paver installation (bedding sand) — general reference — not cited for a specific figure
Default values (yields, coverage rates and densities) are typical figures from manufacturer literature. Always check the label on the product you buy.
Related calculators
- Paver CalculatorCount patio pavers plus base gravel and bedding sand, including a 12×12 ft patio with 4×8 in pavers.
- Gravel CalculatorEstimate gravel or crushed stone in cubic yards, tonnes and short tons, including a 12×20 ft driveway at 4 in.
- Cubic Yard CalculatorConvert length, width and depth into cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters and liters for soil, mulch, gravel or concrete orders.
Learn more in our guides
Method, waste and worked examples: Loose materials: depth, volume, bags and tonnes.
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DIYCalcLab. “Sand Calculator.” Nov 6, 2026. https://diycalclab.com/landscaping/sand-calculator/
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier and local building codes. For structural, electrical or safety-critical work, consult a licensed professional. Full disclaimer.