How much sand do I need?
Sand is used under pavers, in sandboxes and volleyball courts, for leveling, and in concrete and masonry mixes.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your area above. The calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 0.5 cubic foot bags if you buy bagged sand. Add a price per cubic yard and it also estimates the cost.
Cubic yard calculator for sand
This cubic yard calculator for sand works for any shape. Pick rectangle for most beds and slabs, circle for round areas, or trench for narrow runs. Open the price estimator under the calculator to add your supplier price, delivery fee, and tax. For a full cost breakdown, see the sand cost calculator.
Sand weight and bags per cubic yard
A planning value for sand is 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, which is 1.35 US tons. Moisture, particle size, and compaction move that number, so treat it as a starting point.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 2,700 |
| US tons per cubic yard | 1.35 |
| Kilograms per cubic yard | 1,225 |
| Cubic yards per US ton | 0.74 |
| Cubic feet per US ton | 20.00 |
| 0.5 cubic foot bags per cubic yard | 54.0 |
How far does a cubic yard of sand go?
Coverage depends only on depth. The deeper the layer, the less area a cubic yard covers. The suggested depth for sand is 1 to 12 inches, and 2 inches is a common choice.
| Depth (inches) | Square feet covered | Square yards covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 | 36.0 |
| 2 | 162 | 18.0 |
| 3 | 108 | 12.0 |
| 4 | 81 | 9.0 |
| 6 | 54 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 40 | 4.5 |
| 12 | 27 | 3.0 |
Sand needed for common areas at 2 inches deep
| Area | Square feet | Cubic yards | US tons | 0.5 cubic foot bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 by 5 ft | 25 | 0.15 | 0.21 | 9 |
| 8 by 10 ft | 80 | 0.49 | 0.67 | 27 |
| 10 by 10 ft | 100 | 0.62 | 0.83 | 34 |
| 10 by 20 ft | 200 | 1.23 | 1.67 | 67 |
| 12 by 12 ft | 144 | 0.89 | 1.20 | 48 |
| 15 by 20 ft | 300 | 1.85 | 2.50 | 100 |
| 20 by 20 ft | 400 | 2.47 | 3.33 | 134 |
| 20 by 30 ft | 600 | 3.70 | 5.00 | 200 |
| 30 by 40 ft | 1,200 | 7.41 | 10.00 | 400 |
| 50 by 50 ft | 2,500 | 15.43 | 20.83 | 834 |
Worked example: 10 by 10 feet at 2 inches
The area is 10 feet times 10 feet, or 100 square feet. A depth of 2 inches is 0.17 feet. Volume is 100 times 0.17, which is 16.67 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 0.62 cubic yards. At 2,700 pounds per cubic yard that weighs about 0.83 US tons. With 10 percent extra, order 0.68 cubic yards.
Tips for ordering sand
- Paver bedding sand is usually about 1 inch thick, so small areas need very little.
- Sandboxes are commonly filled 6 to 12 inches deep.
- Wet sand weighs more than dry sand, so check the ticket weight against your estimate.
Different sands (play, concrete, masonry, and paver) are not interchangeable, so match the type to the job.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of sand do I need?
Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 10 by 10 foot area at 2 inches deep needs about 0.62 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 2,700 pounds, or 1.35 US tons, as a planning value. Ask your supplier for the exact figure.
How deep should sand be?
Most projects use 1 to 12 inches. 2 inches is a common choice.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of sand cover?
162 square feet at 2 inches deep, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.
How many bags of sand make a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of the 0.5 cubic foot size, which yields about 0.5 cubic feet each.