Sand is bought by the bag for small jobs and by the cubic yard or ton for anything bigger, and the right amount depends almost entirely on the depth of the layer. A 1-inch bedding layer under pavers uses very little; a sandbox filled 12 inches deep uses a surprising amount. This sand calculator converts the size and depth of your project into cubic yards, approximate tons and the number of 0.5 cubic-foot bags so you can compare a bulk delivery with bags from a home center.
The default is a 12 × 12 ft patio with a 1-inch screeded bedding layer, the thickness the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA, formerly ICPI) specifies for interlocking concrete pavers. To size the pavers and the crushed-stone base at the same time, use the paver calculator.
How to use the sand calculator
- Pick rectangle or circle and enter the dimensions of the area.
- Enter the depth of sand: about 1 inch for paver bedding, 1–2 inches for leveling under above-ground pool pads or playsets, or the full fill depth for a sandbox.
- Keep 10% or more in the extra field. Sand compacts when it is screeded and tamped, and some is always lost at the edges.
- Adjust the density if your supplier gives a different weight per cubic yard. Wet sand is noticeably heavier than dry.
- Enter a bulk or bag price to estimate the cost.
Formula
Depth in inches is divided by 12 to convert to feet; centimetres are converted at 30.48 cm per foot.
Worked example
A 12 × 12 ft paver patio needs a 1-inch bedding layer of concrete sand.
- Area: 12 × 12 = 144 ft².
- Volume: 144 × (1 ÷ 12) = 12 ft³ = 12 ÷ 27 = 0.44 yd³.
- Add 10%: 0.44 × 1.10 = 0.49 yd³ (13.2 ft³).
- Weight at 1.35 tons/yd³: 0.49 × 1.35 ≈ 0.66 tons (about 1,320 lb).
- Bags: 13.2 ÷ 0.5 = 26.4, so 27 bags of 0.5 ft³.
A sandbox 6 × 6 ft filled 12 inches deep, by contrast, needs 36 ft³ — about 1.47 yd³ with 10% extra, roughly 2 tons or 80 small bags.
Which sand for which job
| Job | Sand usually used | Typical depth |
|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | Coarse, washed concrete sand (ASTM C33 grading) | 1 in, screeded |
| Paver joints | Fine joint sand or polymeric sand | Fills joints only; buy by the bag |
| Sandbox | Washed play sand | 8–12 in |
| Leveling under a pool or playset pad | Masonry or concrete sand | 1–2 in |
| Mortar for brick or block | Masonry sand | See the brick calculator |
CMHA guidance is that bedding sand should be a consistent, nominal 1 inch thick and should not be used to fill dips in the base; fix low spots in the compacted base instead.
How much does sand weigh?
Dry sand typically weighs around 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard, depending on grain size and how tightly it packs; 1.35 tons (2,700 lb) is a reasonable planning figure. Damp sand straight from a stockpile can weigh more because water fills the gaps between grains. If you are ordering by the ton, ask the supplier for their figure and type it into the density field.
Caveats and assumptions
- Density depends on grain size, moisture and compaction; treat tons as an estimate.
- Bag sizes vary by brand. Many 50 lb bags hold around 0.5 ft³, but always check the volume on the label.
- Polymeric joint sand is sold by coverage per bag and depends on joint width and paver thickness; follow the manufacturer chart rather than this volume calculation.
- For sandboxes, choose sand sold specifically as play sand and follow the product label.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need for pavers?
For the bedding layer, multiply the patio area by 1 inch (1/12 ft) and divide by 27. A 144 ft² patio needs about 0.44 yd³, or about 0.49 yd³ with 10% extra. Joint sand is extra and is usually bought by the bag.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 ft³, so it holds 54 bags of 0.5 ft³.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Roughly 1.3 to 1.5 tons dry. This calculator uses 1.35 tons (2,700 lb) by default; wet sand can be heavier.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Length × width × depth in feet. A 6 × 6 ft box filled 12 inches deep holds 36 ft³ (1.33 yd³). Add about 10% for settling.
Can I use play sand under pavers?
It is not recommended. Fine play sand does not drain or lock as well as coarse concrete sand, which is what paver installation guides call for.
Sources
- CMHA — Construction of Interlocking Concrete Pavements (Tech Spec 2) — 1 in bedding sand layer and base guidance
- U.S. Geological Survey — Construction Sand and Gravel Statistics — construction sand production and uses
- NIST — Unit Conversion — cubic yard and ton definitions
This calculator gives estimates for planning and education. Check measurements, local codes, supplier specs and your school's official policy before relying on a result. See our disclaimer and how we build and check calculators.