Sand Calculator
Sand sells by the cubic yard or by the bag, but your project is measured in square feet and depth. This calculator bridges that gap — converting your coverage area into cubic yards, tons, bags, and total cost across 5 common sand types.
Quick Reference
Sand Types Compared
Different sand types serve different purposes. Here is a comparison to help you choose the right one for your project:
| Type | Weight (lbs/ft³) | Tons/Yard³ | Best For | Typical Price/yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play Sand | 100 | 1.35 | Sandboxes, children's play areas | $40-$60 |
| Concrete Sand | 110 | 1.49 | Concrete mix, paver bases | $25-$40 |
| Masonry Sand | 105 | 1.42 | Mortar, bricklaying, pool bases | $30-$50 |
| Fill Sand | 100 | 1.35 | Backfill, grading, drainage | $15-$30 |
| All-Purpose Sand | 100 | 1.35 | General landscaping, leveling | $25-$45 |
Sand Depth Guide
Depth depends on your project. Too thin and it won't provide adequate coverage. Too deep and you waste money.
| Depth | Best For | Sq Ft per Ton (Play Sand) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 inches | Paver bedding, concrete base | 120-240 sq ft |
| 2-3 inches | Pool base, volleyball court | 80-120 sq ft |
| 4-6 inches | Playground surfacing | 40-60 sq ft |
| 8-12 inches | Sandboxes, deep fill | 20-30 sq ft |
Sand vs Gravel: Which Do You Need?
Sand and gravel serve different purposes. Here is when to use each:
Use Sand When
- Creating a paver bedding layer
- Mixing concrete or mortar
- Filling a sandbox for children
- Leveling under a pool liner
- Fine grading or smoothing surfaces
Use Gravel When
- Building a driveway or parking area
- Creating drainage systems
- Landscape ground cover
- Road base or structural fill
- Decorative borders and paths
How to Use This Calculator
Step 1: Choose your area shape - Rectangle for standard areas, Circle for tree wells or round pools, or Total Area if you already know the square footage.
Step 2: Enter dimensions. For rectangle, enter length and width. For circle, enter diameter. For total area, enter square footage directly.
Step 3: Set depth using the preset buttons (2"-12") or enter a custom value.
Step 4: Select sand type and enter pricing. The calculator shows bulk vs bag cost comparison.
Step 5: Results show instantly - tons, cubic yards, bag count, cost breakdown, and total.
Sand Formula
The calculator converts your project dimensions into sand volume and cost:
- Rectangle: Area = Length x Width
- Circle: Area = Pi x (Diameter / 2)²
- Volume (ft³) = Area (ft²) x (Depth in inches / 12)
- Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) / 27
- Tons = Volume (ft³) x Density (varies by type) / 2,000
- Bags (50 lb) = Volume (ft³) / 0.5
- Bulk Cost = Volume (yd³) x Price per Cubic Yard
- Bag Cost = Bags x Price per Bag
Density varies by sand type. Concrete sand is the densest at 110 lbs/ft³, while play sand and fill sand are lighter at 100 lbs/ft³. The sand type dropdown adjusts the density automatically.
Worked Example: 10x10 Sandbox
Let us calculate sand for a 10 ft x 10 ft sandbox at 12 inches deep using play sand (100 lb/ft³) with 10% waste.
Step 1: Calculate volume:
Volume = 100 x (12 / 12) = 100 ft³
Cubic Yards = 100 / 27 = 3.70 yd³
Step 2: Calculate weight:
Tons = 10,000 / 2,000 = 5 tons
Step 3: Calculate cost at $50/yd³:
Bags = 100 / 0.5 = 200 bags x $7 = $1,400
Total: 3.70 cubic yards of play sand at $185 bulk vs $1,400 bagged. Use the calculator above to model your own project.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Best Practices
- Use the right sand type - Play sand for children, concrete sand for pavers, masonry sand for mortar.
- Compact paver base sand - Wet and tamp for a stable bedding layer.
- Order 10% extra - Sand settles and shifts; extra covers uneven spots.
- Check drainage - Sand is permeable; use it strategically to direct water flow.
- Compare bulk vs bags - Bulk is almost always cheaper for projects over 1 cubic yard.
Avoid This
- Using construction sand in sandboxes: It may contain sharp edges or contaminants unsafe for children.
- Using play sand for paver bases: It does not compact properly and allows pavers to shift.
- Ignoring moisture content: Wet sand weighs 20-25% more than dry sand.
- Ordering too little: Running out mid-project means a second delivery fee.
- Skipping compaction: Uncompacted sand shifts and settles over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 50 lb bag of sand contains about 0.5 cubic feet. For 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet), you need about 54 bags. For smaller projects, calculate cubic feet needed and divide by 0.5.
Sand costs $15-$60 per cubic yard in 2026. Fill sand runs $15-$30, concrete sand costs $25-$40, masonry sand is $30-$50, and play sand reaches $40-$60 per cubic yard.
Dry sand weighs about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard (100 lbs per cubic foot). Wet sand weighs about 3,240 lbs per cubic yard (120 lbs per cubic foot). Weight varies with moisture content.
Use certified play sand only. It is washed, rounded, and non-toxic for children. Never use construction or masonry sand in a sandbox as it may contain sharp edges or contaminants.
Use ASTM C33 concrete sand for paver bases. It compacts properly and provides a stable bedding layer. Never use play sand - it does not compact and allows pavers to shift.
Above-ground pools typically need 2-3 inches of leveled masonry or all-purpose sand under the liner. For a 24 ft round pool, that is about 3-4 tons of sand.