Sand Calculator — Tons and Cubic Yards
Calculate how much sand you need in tons, cubic yards, and 50-lb bags. Select your sand type, enter dimensions, and get instant volume, weight, and cost estimates for pavers, sandboxes, and more.
Sand Calculator
Types of Sand and Uses
| Type | Best For | Price/Ton (/Tonne) |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose / fill sand | General fill, under slabs | $25–$40 ($28–$44/tonne) |
| Paver / leveling sand | Paver base, leveling | $30–$50 ($33–$55/tonne) |
| Play sand | Sandboxes, playgrounds | $35–$60 ($39–$66/tonne) |
| Polymeric sand | Paver joints (hardens with water) | $20–$30/bag (50 lb / 22.7 kg) |
| Mason / mortar sand | Mortar, stucco, plaster | $30–$50 ($33–$55/tonne) |
Sand for Pavers
- Base layer: 1″ (2.5 cm) of leveling sand over a compacted gravel base.
- Joints: polymeric sand fills joints, hardens with water, prevents weeds.
- Coverage: 1″ of sand over 100 sq ft = 0.31 cu yd ≈ 830 lbs (2.5 cm over 9.3 m² ≈ 0.24 m³ ≈ 380 kg).
Always use ASTM C33 concrete sand for the bedding layer — its angular grains compact evenly and support the pavers. Avoid round-grain play sand for paver bases.
How to Calculate Sand for Your Project
- Measure the area in feet (or meters): length and width.
- Determine depth: 1″ (2.5 cm) for paver base, 2″ (5 cm) for leveling, 6–8″ (15–20 cm) for sandboxes.
- Calculate volume: L × W × (depth ÷ 12) = cubic feet; or L (m) × W (m) × (depth_cm/100) = m³.
- Calculate weight and bags: Multiply cu ft by density (lb) for lbs, or m³ by density (kg/m³) for kg. Divide by 50 lb or 25 kg for bag count.
Imperial example: A 10 × 10 ft paver base, 1″ deep: 10 × 10 × (1/12) = 8.33 cu ft × 100 = 833 lbs = 17 bags (50 lb each) = 0.31 cubic yards.
Metric example: A 3 m × 3 m paver base, 2.5 cm deep: 3 × 3 × 0.025 = 0.225 m³ × 1,600 kg/m³ = 360 kg ≈ 15 bags (25 kg each).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for pavers?
1 inch depth: area (sq ft) × 0.00309 cu yd. Example: 200 sq ft patio = 0.62 cu yd (1,670 lbs). Use ASTM C33 concrete sand for the base layer and polymeric sand for joints.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 5 × 5 ft sandbox, 12 inches deep = 0.93 cu yd ≈ 2,500 lbs ≈ 50 bags (50 lb each). Fill 6–12 inches deep with play sand.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 54 bags for all-purpose sand (2,700 lbs/cu yd ÷ 50). Play sand (lighter at 90 lb/cu ft) requires about 49 bags per cubic yard.
Can I use any sand for pavers?
No. Use ASTM C33 concrete sand for the base layer (angular grains compact well). Use polymeric sand for joints — it hardens with water and prevents weed growth. Regular sand will wash out of joints.
Related Calculators
- Paver Calculator — need pavers too?
- Gravel Calculator — gravel for the base layer?
- Cubic Yards Calculator — generic volume calculator
- Tile Calculator — sand bed for floor tiles
- Brick Calculator — mason sand for brick mortar
- Concrete Calculator — sand is part of the concrete mix
- Area Unit Converter — convert between square feet, square meters, acres, hectares
- All Construction Calculators
Sand densities are dry averages. Wet sand weighs significantly more. Prices are 2025 US national averages and will vary by region and supplier.
