Sand Calculator
Work out sand for paver bases, sandboxes and masonry — in cubic yards, tons for delivery, and 50-lb bags.
How much sand do I need?
Sand is ordered by weight as often as by volume, so the bridge number is density: a cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb — 1.35 tons. Volume first (area × depth), then weight from volume.
Cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 · Tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.35
Example: a 10 × 10 ft area at 2 inches deep is 0.62 cubic yards ≈ 0.92 tons with the 10% allowance — or 37 bags of 50 lb if you are hauling it yourself.
Depths for common jobs
| Job | Sand depth |
|---|
| Paver bedding layer (over compacted base) | 1 in (25 mm), screeded |
| Sandbox / play area | 2–4 in (5–10 cm) of play sand |
| Leveling under an above-ground pool | 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) of mason sand |
| Between-paver joint sand | Sold by the bag — a 50-lb bag covers roughly 75–100 sq ft of standard joints |
Washed, coarse “concrete sand” is the bedding standard for pavers; fine play sand belongs in sandboxes, and mason sand is the leveling choice. They are not interchangeable even though the volume math is.
Frequently asked questions
How many 50-lb bags of sand make a ton?
40 bags exactly (2,000 ÷ 50). That number is why anything past a sandbox refresh becomes a delivery conversation — the calculator gives both figures so you can compare honestly.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons, 1.22 tonnes) dry. Wet sand can run 15–20% heavier — one reason delivered “tons” after rain spark arguments. The volume figure is the stable one.
Which sand do I use under pavers?
Washed concrete sand for the 1-inch bedding layer, and polymeric sand swept into the joints afterwards if you want them locked. Play sand washes out of a bedding layer and should not be substituted.
Can I use this for mortar or concrete sand quantities?
The volume and weight math is the same. For mixing, quantities follow your mortar or concrete recipe — the concrete calculator here handles the mix side in bags and yards.
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