Sand Calculator
Sand shows up under pavers, in concrete mixes, in play areas, and as general fill, and like gravel it gets sold by the yard, the ton, and the bag. Enter your area and how deep you're going below. You'll get all three units plus a cost estimate, so whether you're bedding a paver patio or filling a trench, you'll know what to order.
How much sand you need, by the yard, ton, or bag
Sand goes under pavers, into concrete, in play boxes, and down as fill, and it sells by the cubic yard, the ton, and the 50-pound bag. Enter your area and depth and the calculator hands back all three units plus a cost, so whether you're bedding a patio or filling a trench you'll order the right load the first time.
The math
Area times depth in feet gives cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply yards by sand's density, around 1.35 tons per cubic yard dry, to get tons. A 50-pound bag holds about half a cubic foot, so the tool counts bags too. Damp sand weighs more than dry, so treat tonnage as a close estimate and add 5 to 10 percent for what sifts into the base.
Match the sand to the job
Asking for "sand" at the yard gets you a question back. These are the types and what each is for.
| Type | Use | Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Paver / leveling sand | Bedding under pavers and flagstone | 1 in |
| Polymeric sand | Locking the joints between pavers | fills joints |
| Mason sand | Mortar, smooth finish, sandboxes | varies |
| Concrete / sharp sand | Mixing concrete, coarse and angular | varies |
| Play sand | Kids' sandboxes, washed and screened | fill ~50% |
| Fill sand | Backfill, raising grade, trench bedding | varies |
Bedding pavers takes a 1-inch setting layer of coarse sand, then a separate polymeric sand swept into the joints. Don't bed pavers on play sand; it's too fine and washes out.
What a yard and a ton of sand weigh
A cubic yard of dry sand runs about 2,700 pounds, near 1.35 tons. A ton covers roughly 20 cubic feet, or about 100 square feet at 2 inches. Wet or damp sand can add a couple hundred pounds a yard, which is why suppliers sell by weight and why your tonnage is an estimate, not a lab figure.
A real paver example
Bedding a 15 by 15 foot paver patio with a 1-inch sand layer: 225 square feet times 0.083 feet is about 19 cubic feet, or 0.7 cubic yards, just under a ton. Add waste and you're ordering about three-quarters of a ton, roughly 38 bags if you go bagged. Then figure polymeric joint sand on its own, usually a bag per 50 to 100 square feet depending on joint width.
Bagged or bulk
It takes about 54 fifty-pound bags to make a cubic yard, so bags get expensive on anything sizable. For a sandbox or a single small bedding job, bags are easy. For a full patio or fill work, bulk by the ton is cheaper even with delivery. The bag count next to the tonnage shows you where the break-even sits.
Which sand for which job
Sand isn't one product, and the wrong one fails quietly. Concrete (coarse) sand is the all-purpose choice for paver bedding and mixing. Mason sand is finer and cleaner for mortar and smooth finishes. Play sand is washed and screened for sandboxes, priced accordingly. Polymeric sand is a jointing product, not a bedding one; it hardens in paver joints and nowhere else.
| Type | Per ton, bulk | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete / coarse sand | $25 - $50 | Paver bedding, concrete mixing, drainage |
| Mason sand | $30 - $60 | Mortar, pool bases, smooth leveling |
| Play sand | $50 - $90 | Sandboxes, playgrounds |
| Fill sand | $15 - $35 | Trench backfill, rough grading |
Quick answers
How much does a yard of sand weigh? About 2,700 pounds dry, past 3,000 wet. Half a yard is a full load for a half-ton pickup.
How much sand under pavers? One inch, screeded level, always over a compacted stone base. More sand does not fix a wavy base; it guarantees dips later.
How many bags of sand in a yard? Fifty-four of the 50-lb bags. Past a dozen bags, bulk wins on price every time.
Common questions
A setting bed is usually 1 inch of sand over a compacted base. Measure your patio's length and width, set depth to 1 inch, and the calculator gives you the volume. Don't forget separate polymeric sand for the joints.
About 1.35 tons dry, a bit more when it's wet. Suppliers quote sand both ways, so the tool shows yards and tons side by side.
Roughly 54, since a 50-pound bag is about half a cubic foot and a yard is 27 cubic feet. Bags get expensive fast, so bulk wins on anything sizable.
Yes, 5 to 10%, since some sifts into the base and uneven ground eats more than you'd think. The calculator adds it for you.
Estimates for planning. Verify against your supplier's units and your local building codes before ordering or building. For anything structural, follow your engineer or local code.