Sand Calculator
Estimate the amount of sand needed for pavers, play areas, sandboxes, or mortar mix. Calculates volume in yards and weight in tons.
Calculation Results
Total volume of sand needed, including waste.
Estimated tonnage of dry sand (approx 100 lbs/cu ft).
Number of standard 50lb bags of sand required.
How This Calculator Works
To calculate sand requirements:
- Enter the length and width of the sandbox, paver bed, or masonry area.
- Enter the depth of the sand layer (pavers usually require a 1-inch sand bed; children's sandboxes are typically 4-8 inches deep).
- Add a waste buffer (10% is standard to account for settling and spills).
- The calculator lists volume (yards), weight (tons), and the number of retail 50lb bags.
Formula & Calculations
Sand volume is calculated by multiplying length, width, and depth together:
Volume = Length × Width × Depth
The weight is determined by multiplying the volume by the density. Average dry sand density is approximately 100 lbs per cubic foot (1.35 tons per cubic yard).
A standard 50lb bag yields approximately 0.5 cubic feet of dry sand.
Step-by-Step Calculation Examples
Sandbox (10ft x 8ft x 6in depth)
Calculating play sand for a standard backyard sandbox with 10% waste.
- length: 10
- width: 8
- depth: 6
- waste: 10
- volume: 1.63 cu yd
- weight: 2.20 tons
- bags_50lb: 88
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
A cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons). If the sand is wet, the weight can increase to over 3,000 pounds (1.5 tons).
How much sand is needed under pavers?
Typically, a 1-inch thick layer of sand is recommended directly underneath paving stones, laid over a compacted gravel base of 4 to 6 inches.