Free Landscape Calculator

Sand Calculator

Calculate exactly how many cubic yards and tons of sand you need for paver bases, sandboxes, concrete mix and landscaping. Instant results with US cost estimates.

🏖️
Sand Calculator
Cubic yards, tons and cost
Dimensions
ft
ft
in
Quick Presets
Your Local Price (optional)
$
Leave the price blank to see our USD estimate. For any other currency, enter your local supplier price to get the cost.
📐 Your Results
—
Cubic Yards
Exact volume
—
Cubic Feet
Volume
—
Tons
Weight
Estimated Cost
Avg. $15–$50/cubic yard
$—
💡 Always order 10–15% extra for waste and settling.
162 sq ft
covered by 1 cubic yard at 2″ depth
1.35 tons
weight of 1 cubic yard of dry sand
54 bags
50‑lb bags per cubic yard (bulk is 60–70% cheaper)
+10–15%
extra (15–20% for paver compaction)

👤 Who is this for: DIY patio builders, landscapers, playground installers & concrete work.

📊 Understanding Your Results

Cubic Yards — Standard unit for bulk sand. One cubic yard covers approximately 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep.

Cubic Feet — A standard 50-pound bag of sand contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet.

Tons — Sand weighs approximately 1.35 tons per cubic yard when dry.

How the Sand Calculator Works

Our sand calculator computes the exact volume of sand needed based on your project dimensions. Different applications require different sand types, depths and compaction levels.

The Sand Formula

Step 1: Volume (cubic feet) = Length × Width × Depth (all in feet)
Step 2: Cubic Yards = Cubic Feet ÷ 27
Step 3: Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.35
Step 4: Add 15–20% for compaction loss (paver projects especially)

Example: A 12×12 ft patio with 2-inch sand base = 144 × (2÷12) = 24 cu ft = 0.89 cubic yards. Order 1 cubic yard.

Sand Depth Guide by Application

ApplicationDepthSand Type
Paver base + bedding2 inchesCoarse concrete sand
Leveling base0.5–1 inchMason or concrete sand
Children’s sandbox6–8 inchesPlay sand (screened)
Paver joint fillingJoint depthPolymeric sand

📝 Real Project Example

12×12 ft paver patio, 1 inch of bedding sand:

  • Area: 144 sq ft
  • Volume: 144 × 0.083 = 12 cu ft
  • Cubic yards: 12 ÷ 27 = 0.44 → order 0.5 cubic yards
  • Bags alternative: 12 ÷ 0.5 = 24 bags of 50-lb all-purpose sand
  • Weight: 0.44 × 1.35 = ~0.6 tons (~1,200 lbs)
  • Cost check: 0.5 cubic yards bulk at ~$40 = ~$20 vs 24 bags at ~$5 = $120

Use coarse washed concrete sand for paver bedding — never fine play sand. It compacts too tightly and traps water under the pavers.

📚 Sources & Methodology

How we calculate. Step 1: volume in cubic feet = length × width × depth (all in feet). Step 2: cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Step 3: tons = cubic yards × 1.35 (dry sand ≈ 2,700 lbs per cubic yard). Step 4: 50-lb bags = cubic feet ÷ 0.5. We recommend adding 10% extra for spreading losses.

Cross-checked. Our 1.35 tons/yd³ figure matches published sand-weight references; wet sand can run 15–20% heavier.

Sources:

Last updated: October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about calculating sand for pavers, sandboxes and landscaping.

How much sand for a 12×12 ft patio?
0.89 cubic yards with a 2-inch base. Order 1 cubic yard to allow for compaction. Use coarse concrete sand — not play sand — for stability.
How many bags of sand equal a cubic yard?
One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. A 50-pound bag of sand = approximately 0.5 cu ft, so you need approximately 54 bags per cubic yard. Bulk sand is 60–70% cheaper.
What type of sand should I use under pavers?
Use coarse concrete sand or paver bedding sand — never fine play sand. For joints between pavers, use polymeric sand which hardens when wet.
How much sand for a 4×4 ft sandbox?
0.30 cubic yards or approximately 16 bags of 50-pound play sand at 6 inches deep. Always use screened play sand in sandboxes.
How much does sand cost per cubic yard?
Bulk sand costs $15–$50 per cubic yard. Concrete sand: $15–$30/yard. Mason sand: $20–$35/yard. Delivery adds $50–$100 per order.
How much does 0.5 cubic feet of sand weigh?
About 45–50 lbs dry — sand weighs roughly 90–100 lbs per cubic foot. The same volume of wet sand can weigh 55–60 lbs.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) per cubic yard. Damp or wet sand runs 3,000–3,240 lbs (1.5–1.62 tons).

💡 Pro Tips

Never use play sand under pavers — use coarse concrete sand.

Compact sand in two 1-inch layers for paver projects.

Add 20% extra for paver projects — sand compacts significantly.