Sand Calculator
Enter your area and depth to get the cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons of sand you need.
What your result means
Cubic yards is your bulk order figure; tons covers suppliers who sell by weight. Dry sand is about 100 lbs a cubic foot, so a yard is around 1.35 tons. Match the sand to the job: concrete or sharp sand under pavers, mason sand for mortar, washed play sand for sandboxes.
How to use this calculator
- Measure area dimensions in feet.
- Pick depth in inches.
- Read cubic feet, yards, tons.
- Order from bulk supplier.
- Different sand types for different purposes.
The formula
Volume in cubic feet is length times width times depth in feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Dry sand weighs about 100 lbs a cubic foot, so multiply by 100 over 2,000 for tons.
Worked example
Say you've got a 100 sq ft area (10 by 10) at 2 inches deep. That's 16.67 cubic feet, 0.62 cubic yards, or 0.83 tons.
Sand quick reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density (dry) | 100 lb/cf |
| 1 cubic yard | 27 cf (~1.35 tons) |
| Bulk price | $20 – $50 / yd |
| Under pavers | concrete / sharp sand |
Tips & gotchas
- Density runs about 100 lbs a cubic foot.
- One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
- Bedding sand (concrete sand) goes under pavers.
- Mason sand is fine, for mixing mortar.
- Play sand is washed and dust-free, for sandboxes.
- Sharp, angular sand sets pavers best.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need?
Enter your area and depth above for the exact amount.
What kind of sand for pavers?
Bedding sand, the concrete or torpedo type. Coarse and angular.
How much does a yard of sand cost?
$20 to $50 a yard delivered in bulk.
Sand or gravel for drainage?
Gravel drains better; sand drains slower.
How heavy is a yard of sand?
About 1.35 tons, around 2,700 lbs dry.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.