Free calculator
Sand Calculator
Use this sand calculator to estimate cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, 50 lb bag count, coverage, and a simple cost placeholder from length, width, depth, density, and waste. It produces a printable material list for paver bedding, play sand, fill, and leveling before you order.
EstimateEstimate only; sand density, moisture, compaction, screeding, and local conditions vary.
Project inputs
Estimate
0.8 cubic yards of sand
A 120 sq ft area at 2 inches deep needs about 0.8 cubic yards, or 1.08 tons, of sand after 8% extra.
Printable material list
Estimate- Sand0.8 cu yd8% waste included
- Sand by weight1.08 tons1.35 tons/cu yd density
- Bagged sand44 50-lb bagsround up before buying
- Bulk cost placeholder$28.00$35/cu yd assumption
- Coverage at 2 inches129.6 sq ftspread thinner or deeper to change coverage
Estimate only. Sand type, moisture, and supplier density change the weight and the amount you need.
Visible defaults
Assumptions
- Default sand density is 1.35 tons per cubic yard, or about 100 pounds per cubic foot.
- Cubic yards equal cubic feet divided by 27.
- Bag count uses your entered bag weight, defaulting to 50 pounds, and rounds up.
- Cost is a placeholder using your entered bulk price, not a quote.
Math
Calculation details
- Area = length x width.
- Cubic feet = area x depth in feet.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet / 27.
- Tons = cubic yards x density.
What this sand calculator does
Sand is sold by the pound in bags, by the cubic yard in bulk, and by the ton on delivery tickets, and those units rarely line up cleanly. This calculator keeps them together. Enter the project length, width, depth, density, bag weight, and waste, and it converts one measured volume into cubic feet, cubic yards, tons, 50 pound bag count, coverage, and an optional bulk cost placeholder.
It is built for real yard jobs: paver and flagstone bedding, play sand under a swing set, leveling sand under a shed or pool, and general fill behind walls or in low spots. It does not decide whether sand is the right material or how thick a structural base should be. It turns a measured area into a practical shopping list with the assumptions visible.
How deep should the sand layer be?
Depth depends entirely on the job. Paver bedding sand is usually a thin, screeded layer of about one inch over a compacted base, not a deep cushion. Play sand and leveling sand are often deeper. Fill and low spots can be deeper still. Sand is a bedding and leveling material, so a thick loose sand layer under pavers can rut and shift rather than support traffic.
Depth drives the order directly. A 100 square foot area at 1 inch is about 8.3 cubic feet before waste, while the same area at 2 inches is about 16.7 cubic feet. When a job sits near a bag or delivery threshold, confirming depth before purchase prevents both a shortage and a leftover pile you have to store or move.
Formula used
The calculator multiplies length by width for square feet, then multiplies by depth in feet for cubic feet. Cubic yards are cubic feet divided by 27. Tons are cubic yards multiplied by the density you enter. Bag count converts tons to pounds, divides by your bag weight, and rounds up to whole bags so the number is something you can actually buy.
Density is the least universal input. Sand weight changes with type, gradation, and especially moisture, since wet sand is heavier and packs differently than dry. The default of 1.35 tons per cubic yard, near 100 pounds per cubic foot, is a planning value. If a local yard lists a different conversion, enter that number in the density field.
Bagged versus bulk sand
Bagged sand, often in 50 pound bags, suits small bedding and play jobs, tight access, or projects where delivery is not worth it. Bulk sand by the cubic yard or ton is usually cheaper per unit for larger volumes, but it needs a dump spot and labor to move. The calculator shows both so you can compare the scale before choosing how to buy.
The optional cost field is deliberately simple. It multiplies cubic yards by your entered price per cubic yard. It does not include delivery, fuel surcharges, regional pricing, taxes, minimum orders, or pallet deposits. Use it to compare bag and bulk scenarios, not as a finished supplier price for the project.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is treating square feet as cubic feet and skipping depth, which throws off the whole order. Another is confusing cubic yards with tons. A cubic yard is volume; a ton is weight, and the link between them is density. Two suppliers can quote different ton figures for the same volume because they assume different densities or moisture.
People also over-order bedding sand by using a deep layer where a thin screeded inch is intended, or under-order fill by ignoring how sand settles and migrates. The printed list shows quantities and assumptions only. Compactable base, geotextile fabric, edge restraint, and polymeric joint sand are separate items the calculator does not include.
Before you order
Bring the printed list, your dimensions, depth, and intended use to the supplier and ask what sand type fits the job. Concrete or bedding sand, mason sand, and washed play sand are not interchangeable for every purpose, and naming the use helps the yard point you to the right product and a matching density.
Confirm the supplier conversion, bag weight, and whether the price is per cubic yard or per ton before you commit. Keep the disclaimer with the list. It is a planning estimate, supplier density and moisture vary, and a thin moisture difference can move the weight noticeably. Consult a professional for any structural or safety question.
Quick reference
Sand coverage by depth
| Depth | Coverage per cubic yard | 50 lb bags per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | 17 bags |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 34 bags |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 50 bags |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 67 bags |
Based on 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet and a planning density of about 100 lb per cubic foot. Bag counts are rounded up; supplier density and moisture vary.
FAQ
Sand Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate how much sand I need?
Multiply length by width for square feet, multiply by depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add a waste factor, then convert to tons or 50 pound bags using density and bag weight.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of sand cover?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At 1 inch deep it covers about 324 square feet before waste, at 2 inches about 162 square feet, and at 3 inches about 108 square feet.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of sand?
A common planning value is about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, near 100 pounds per cubic foot. Wet sand weighs more, so use the supplier conversion when you order by weight.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
Paver bedding sand is usually a thin screeded layer of about one inch over a compacted base, not a deep cushion. The compactable base beneath it is estimated and ordered separately from the bedding sand.
Should I buy sand in bags or bulk?
Bags work for small bedding and play jobs or limited access. Bulk is usually cheaper for larger volumes, but mind delivery minimums, a dump location, and the labor to move and screed it.
Does this calculator pick the right type of sand?
No. It estimates quantity only. Bedding sand, mason sand, and play sand differ in gradation and use. Tell the supplier the project, and add fabric, base, and edging separately based on the job.
Methodology
Who built and reviewed this estimate
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