Sand Calculator
Get the tons and cubic yards of sand needed for paver bases, sandboxes or fill.
What you'll need to order
- masonry sand
- paver base gravel
- polymeric joint sand
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
tons = length × width × (depth ÷ 12) × 100 ÷ 2000
Dry sand weighs about 100 lb per cubic foot, so a cubic yard runs roughly 2,700 lb. Wet sand is heavier — up to 3,200 lb per cubic yard — but suppliers sell by dry weight.
Worked example
With length 10 ft, width 10 ft, depth 2 in, this calculator returns 0.83 tons.
Sand needed by depth
Figures below assume length 10 ft × width 10 ft. Change any measurement in the calculator to get your own numbers.
| Depth | Sand needed (tons) | Volume (cu yd) | 50 lb bags (if buying bagged) (bags) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 0.21 | 0.15 | 8.33 |
| 1 in | 0.42 | 0.31 | 16.67 |
| 2 in | 0.83 | 0.62 | 33.33 |
| 3 in | 1.25 | 0.93 | 50.00 |
| 4 in | 1.67 | 1.23 | 66.67 |
| 6 in | 2.50 | 1.85 | 100.0 |
Per 100 square feet. A 1 inch bedding layer is standard under pavers — thicker beds rut under load.
How much sand for pavers, a pool or a sandbox?
| Job | Size | Sand needed | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paver patio bedding | 16 ft × 12 ft × 1 in | 0.80 tons | $20 – $56 |
| Paver driveway bedding | 40 ft × 12 ft × 1 in | 2.00 tons | $50 – $140 |
| Above-ground pool base | 24 ft × 24 ft × 2 in | 4.80 tons | $120 – $336 |
| Sandbox | 6 ft × 6 ft × 10 in | 1.50 tons | $38 – $105 |
| Levelling under a shed | 12 ft × 10 ft × 2 in | 1.00 tons | $25 – $70 |
Bedding sand is not the same as joint sand. Coarse concrete sand goes underneath; polymeric sand goes in the joints afterwards.
Cost range uses $25–$70 per ton for material only.
What does sand cost per ton?
Material typically runs $25 to $70 per ton. Bulk, delivered. Bagged play sand and polymeric joint sand cost several times more per ton.
What moves the price:
- Type — concrete sand is cheapest, washed play sand and silica cost more
- Haul distance from the pit
- Whether the sand is washed and graded
- Bagged versus bulk, the largest single difference
Prices are US averages and move with fuel, season and haul distance. Always get two local quotes before budgeting.
Sand types and what each is for
| Type | Weight (lb per cu ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete / bedding sand | 100.0 | Coarse; the correct sand under pavers |
| Mason sand | 100.0 | Finer; for mortar and pool bases |
| Play sand | 100.0 | Washed and screened for sandboxes |
| Fill sand | 95.00 | Unwashed, for bulk filling and drainage |
| Polymeric joint sand | 105.0 | Sold by the bag, sets hard when wetted |
Never use fine sand as paver bedding. It holds water and the pavers settle unevenly within a season.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of sand do I need?
Multiply length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 16 by 12 ft patio with 1 inch of bedding sand needs 0.59 cubic yards, so one yard delivered covers it.
How much does a ton of sand cover?
About 240 square feet at 1 inch deep, 120 sq ft at 2 inches, and 80 sq ft at 3 inches, at roughly 100 lb per cubic foot.
How thick should paver bedding sand be?
Exactly 1 inch, screeded flat and never compacted before laying. A thicker bed is the most common reason paver patios develop ruts and low spots.
How much sand do I need for a paver patio?
Bedding sand goes down 1 inch thick over a compacted gravel base. A 20 by 12 ft patio needs about 20 cubic feet, or 1 ton. Never bed pavers deeper than 1 inch — thicker sand ruts under traffic.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Roughly 2,700 lb dry, around 1.35 tons. Saturated sand can reach 3,200 lb per cubic yard, so check your trailer rating before hauling a full yard yourself.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Coarse, angular masonry or concrete sand. Avoid play sand and mason sand marketed as fine — rounded grains shift under load. The joints between pavers take polymeric sand, which is a different product.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard weighs about 2,700 lb, so roughly 54 bags of 50 lb. Bagged sand costs several times more per pound than bulk, so anything over half a yard is worth ordering loose.
How deep should sand be under an above-ground pool?
Two inches of levelled, compacted sand is standard under the liner. It cushions the liner and evens out small imperfections, but it will not fix a sloping site — the ground itself must be level first.