Sand Calculator
Volume (cu ft)
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Volume (cu yd)
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Weight (tons)
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50lb Bags
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How to Calculate Sand Needed: Volume to Weight Conversion
Sand is sold by the cubic yard in bulk and by the bag at home improvement stores. This calculator converts your project area and depth into cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, and number of 50-pound bags so you can order accurately from any supplier. The formula is straightforward: multiply the length by the width (both in feet) by the depth (converted from inches to feet by dividing by 12) to get cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. One cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,700 pounds, or 1.35 tons.
Moisture content significantly affects sand weight. Dry sand weighs about 100 pounds per cubic foot, but damp sand can weigh 110 to 120 pounds per cubic foot because water fills the spaces between grains and adds mass. Saturated (wet) sand can weigh up to 130 pounds per cubic foot. When ordering bulk sand for delivery, suppliers typically quote prices per ton, and the delivered weight will vary depending on recent weather. Plan for approximately 10% additional material to account for moisture variation, uneven spreading, and compaction.
Types of Sand and Their Best Uses
Not all sand is created equal, and using the wrong type can compromise your project. Concrete sand (ASTM C-33) has a coarse, angular grain that compacts well and provides excellent drainage. It is the standard choice for mixing concrete, bedding pavers, and backfilling pipes. The angular grains interlock when compacted, creating a stable base that resists shifting. Concrete sand costs approximately $25 to $40 per cubic yard for bulk delivery.
Mason sand (also called mortar sand or plastering sand) is finely screened through a smaller mesh, producing a smooth, uniform texture. It mixes easily with cement for mortar, stucco, and stone veneer work. Mason sand is also commonly used in sandboxes and volleyball courts because of its soft feel. It typically costs $30 to $50 per cubic yard, slightly more than concrete sand due to the additional screening process.
Fill sand is the most economical option at $15 to $30 per cubic yard. It is unscreened and may contain small pebbles, clay, or organic matter. Fill sand works for backfilling utility trenches, raising grades, and filling low spots in yards where appearance and precise gradation do not matter. It should not be used under pavers, in concrete mixes, or anywhere that requires consistent compaction because the variable grain sizes produce unpredictable results.
Play sand is washed, dried, and screened for safety and cleanliness. It meets ASTM standards for children's play areas and is certified free of tremolite (a type of asite sometimes found in natural sand deposits). Play sand costs $3 to $5 per 50-pound bag at retail, making it the most expensive option per cubic yard. For large play areas, buying bulk washed mason sand from a landscape supplier is more economical and equally safe.
Recommended Sand Depth by Project Type
| Project | Sand Type | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | Concrete sand (C-33) | 1 inch |
| Paver joint filling | Polymeric sand | Full joint depth |
| Sandbox or play area | Play sand or mason sand | 12 to 18 inches |
| Above-ground pool base | Mason sand | 2 to 3 inches |
| Pipe bedding (utility trench) | Concrete sand | 4 inches below + 6 inches above pipe |
| Volleyball court | Mason sand or beach sand | 12 to 18 inches |
| Leveling an area for sod | Fill sand or topsoil-sand mix | 0.5 to 1 inch |
| Flagstone joint filling | Polymeric sand or mason sand | Full joint depth (1-2 inches typical) |
Ordering and Delivery Tips
For projects requiring less than half a cubic yard, buying bagged sand from a hardware store is convenient despite the higher per-unit cost. A standard 50-pound bag contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet of sand. For anything larger, bulk delivery saves significant money. Most landscape suppliers deliver sand in dump trucks that hold 10 to 18 cubic yards per load. Delivery fees typically range from $50 to $150 depending on distance, and many suppliers waive the fee for orders over a minimum quantity (usually 5 to 10 yards).
When scheduling delivery, prepare a clear area where the truck can dump the load. Sand delivered in bulk arrives in a conical pile that is wider at the base than you might expect -- one cubic yard creates a pile roughly 3 feet high and 5 feet in diameter. Protect driveways from sand staining by placing a tarp under the dump site. Spread sand within a few days of delivery to prevent it from compacting into a solid mass that is difficult to shovel.
Always round up your sand order by 10 to 15%. Sand compacts during spreading, some material inevitably gets wasted, and running short mid-project means paying another delivery fee or making extra trips to the store. For paver installations, the industry standard is to order 15% extra because the screeding process (dragging a straight board across rails to create a perfectly level surface) pushes sand to the edges where some is lost. It is far cheaper to have a small pile of leftover sand than to halt a project while waiting for more material.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for decisions specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for my project?
Multiply the area length by width (in feet) by the depth (converted to feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. One cubic yard of sand weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). For a 10x10 foot area at 2 inches deep, you need about 0.62 cubic yards or roughly 1,670 pounds of sand.
What type of sand should I use for pavers?
Use coarse concrete sand (also called bedding sand or C-33 sand) for the base layer under pavers at 1 inch depth. For filling joints between pavers, use polymeric sand, which hardens when wet and resists washout and weed growth. Never use play sand or beach sand under pavers as they are too fine and will not compact properly.
How many bags of sand do I need?
Divide the total weight needed by the bag size. Standard sand bags come in 50-pound and 60-pound sizes. One cubic yard of sand (approximately 2,700 lbs) requires 54 bags at 50 pounds each or 45 bags at 60 pounds each. For small projects, buying bags may be convenient, but for anything over half a cubic yard, bulk delivery is significantly more cost-effective.
What is the difference between mason sand, play sand, and fill sand?
Mason sand (also called mortar sand) is finely screened with uniform grain size, used for mortar, stucco, and sandboxes. Play sand is washed, screened, and certified non-toxic for children. Fill sand is unscreened and may contain small stones, used for backfilling trenches and raising grades. Concrete sand (C-33) has a coarser grain, ideal for mixing concrete and paver bedding. Each type has a slightly different weight per cubic yard due to grain size and moisture content.
How much does sand cost per cubic yard?
Sand prices vary by type and whether you buy in bulk or bags. Fill sand is the cheapest at $15 to $30 per cubic yard for bulk delivery. Concrete sand (C-33) costs $25 to $40 per cubic yard. Mason sand runs $30 to $50 per cubic yard due to additional screening. Bagged sand at retail stores costs significantly more per volume, typically $3 to $5 per 50-pound bag, which works out to roughly $160 to $270 per cubic yard equivalent. For projects requiring more than half a cubic yard, bulk delivery is substantially more economical despite the $50 to $150 delivery fee.
How much extra sand should I order beyond my calculated amount?
Order 10 to 15% more sand than your calculated amount to account for compaction, waste, uneven spreading, and the screeding process for paver installations. For paver bedding specifically, the industry standard recommendation is 15% overage because screeding (leveling the sand with a straight board over rails) pushes material to the edges where it is lost. Running short mid-project means paying another delivery fee or making multiple trips to the store, which almost always costs more than the price of a small amount of extra sand. Use our cubic yard calculator for additional volume calculations.