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 this is calculated
Area times depth gives you cubic feet (remember to convert depth from inches to feet). Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply yards by sand's density, around 1.35 tons per cubic yard dry, to get tons. For small jobs, a 50-pound bag holds roughly half a cubic foot, so the tool gives you a bag count too. Damp sand weighs more, so treat tonnage as a close estimate, not a lab figure.
A worked example
Bedding a 15 by 15 foot paver patio with a 1-inch sand setting bed: 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, or roughly 38 bags if you go bagged.
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.