Sand Calculator
Estimate sand for bedding, base and fill in cubic yards, tons and bags. Rectangular or circular areas, imperial or metric, with the density assumption shown.
How to use the sand calculator
- Choose rectangle or circle to match your area.
- Enter length and width in feet, depth in inches. Paver bedding is usually 1 inch; base layers vary.
- Read volume, tons and bags and order whichever way suits.
- Add areas to total several patches at once.
Volume, weight and bags
The volume is area × depth. To convert to weight this tool uses 1.35 tons per cubic yard, a fair average for dry building sand; wet sand weighs more. Bagged sand is typically 50 lb, holding about half a cubic foot, so it takes about 54 bags to equal one cubic yard — which is why bulk quickly wins on price.
| Job | Typical depth | Sand type |
|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding | 1 in | Coarse / concrete sand |
| Under a shed base | 2 in | Sharp sand |
| Sandbox fill | Varies | Washed play sand |
Bedding sand vs. play sand
They are not interchangeable. Bedding (concrete or masonry) sand is coarse and angular so it locks under load — the right choice under pavers and slabs. Play sand is fine and rounded for safe sandboxes but shifts under weight. Match the sand to the job or the surface above it will move.
Ordering tips
- Bulk sand needs a dry spot to store — it clumps and washes when soaked.
- For paver joints, budget separately for polymeric sand.
- Keep the waste factor on for spread and screeding loss.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth. A 10 ft by 10 ft area 2 inches deep is about 16.7 cubic feet, or 0.62 cubic yards — roughly 0.83 tons of sand. The calculator gives volume, weight and bag count together so you can order whichever way your supplier sells.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand runs about 1.3 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard; this tool uses 1.35. Wet or compacted sand is heavier. One ton of sand covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, a useful check for base and bedding jobs.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
A 50 lb bag holds about 0.5 cubic feet, so a cubic yard (27 cubic feet) is about 54 bags. Bagged sand is convenient for small jobs like paver joints; bulk delivery is far cheaper once you need a fraction of a yard or more.
What kind of sand should I use under pavers?
Use coarse, sharp bedding sand (concrete or masonry sand) for the 1 inch setting layer, not fine play sand, which shifts. Fill the joints afterward with polymeric sand so it locks together and resists washout.
Why does the estimate include a waste factor?
Sand spreads and compacts unevenly, and some is always lost screeding and handling. The default 10 percent covers that. For a precisely screeded 1 inch bedding layer you can drop it to 5 percent.
Volumes and weights are estimates for planning only. Sand density changes with moisture and grade. Confirm with your supplier before ordering.