Sand Calculator
Estimate the sand you need for a paver base, a sandbox or leveling an area. Enter the dimensions and depth to get the volume in cubic yards, the approximate weight in tons and the number of bags.
- In cubic feet
- 17.5 cu ft
- Approx. weight
- 0.88 tons
- Bags (0.5 cu ft (~50 lb))
- 35 bags
- Area covered
- 100 sq ft
How this calculator works
Volume is the area multiplied by the depth, with the depth converted from inches to feet. Cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards.
Dry sand weighs roughly 1.3 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard; the calculator uses 1.35 tons by default. Wet sand is heavier.
Bag counts assume a 50 lb bag holds about half a cubic foot.
Example: a 6 × 6 ft sandbox, 12 inches deep
- Area: 6 × 6 = 36 sq ft.
- Volume: 36 × 1 = 36 cu ft.
- In cubic yards: 36 ÷ 27 = 1.33 cu yd.
- Weight: 1.33 × 1.35 = 1.8 tons.
- In 50 lb bags: 36 ÷ 0.5 = 72 bags.
Quick reference
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Bedding layer under pavers | 1 in |
| Leveling under above-ground pool | 2 in |
| Sandbox | 6–12 in |
Tips before you buy
- Use washed concrete sand or bedding sand under pavers — not play sand, which is too fine.
- For sandboxes, choose sand labeled as play sand and washed to reduce dust.
- Order 5–10% extra if you will compact the sand.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
A cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,600 to 2,800 lb, or roughly 1.3 to 1.4 tons. Wet sand can weigh over 1.5 tons.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 54 bags, assuming each 50 lb bag holds roughly half a cubic foot.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Pavers usually sit on a 1 inch layer of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base. A 10 × 10 ft patio needs about 8.3 cubic feet of sand, or 17 bags of 50 lb.
Related calculators
- Paver CalculatorPlan a paver patio, walkway or driveway.
- Gravel CalculatorEstimate how much gravel or crushed stone you need for a driveway, path, patio base or drainage area.
- Concrete CalculatorWork out how much concrete you need for a slab, patio, footing or post holes.
- Topsoil CalculatorWork out how much topsoil you need for a new lawn, a garden bed or a raised bed.
Last updated October 25, 2026