Sand Calculator
Estimate how much sand you need by area and depth — plus bags and total cost. Switch between imperial and metric units.
Sand Calculator
Estimate how much you need — and the cost.
- cubic feet 8.33
- cubic meters 0.236
- tons (US) 0.43
- tonnes 0.39
Quick coverage reference
1 cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 in deep; about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard; a 1 in bedding layer needs about 0.43 US tons per 100 sq ft.
How it's calculated
- Dry sand bulk density is about 2600–3000 lb/cu yd (about 1.3–1.5 US tons/cu yd); wet sand is heavier. We use the midpoint 2800.
- Paver/tile bedding sand is most commonly 1 in; sub-base or backfill 2–4 in; filter sand per project spec.
Source: inchcalculator.com/sand-calculator/ (density 2600–3000 lb/cu yd cross-checked)
How much sand do I need?
Sand is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons), and bagged sand is usually about 0.5 cu ft (≈ 50 lb) per bag. To estimate, multiply the area by the depth of the sand layer.
The formula is cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324. Paver and patio bedding sand is typically just 1 inch deep, where one cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft. Dry sand is heavy — roughly 1.4 short tons (about 2,800 lb) per cubic yard — so the calculator reports tons too, since sand is often priced by weight.
How to measure for sand
Measure the area
Length × width in feet for the surface you are bedding or filling.
Set the depth
1 inch for paver bedding sand; 2–4 inches for a sub-base or backfill; follow spec for filter sand.
Read yards and tons
You get cubic yards plus weight in tons — useful because many yards sell sand by the ton.
Round up for waste
Sand compacts and spills during spreading. Add roughly 10% so you do not run short mid-job.
Sand depth & buying tips
Coarse concrete/bedding sand is best under pavers; fine sand washes out. Mason sand and play sand serve different jobs.
Because bedding sand is only about an inch deep, a single cubic yard covers a surprisingly large patio — around 324 sq ft.
Dry sand runs about 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and wet sand is heavier still — plan delivery and transport accordingly.
Sand calculator FAQ
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs roughly 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard (about 1.3–1.5 short tons). Wet sand is heavier.
How much does a yard of sand cover?
One cubic yard covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, or 108 sq ft at 3 inches.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Use a 1-inch bedding layer. One cubic yard of sand beds roughly 324 sq ft of pavers at that depth.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
At 0.5 cu ft per bag, a cubic yard (27 cu ft) equals about 54 bags — so bulk is much cheaper for larger areas.
Is sand sold by the ton or the yard?
Both. Bulk sand is commonly priced by the ton, while smaller amounts come bagged or by the cubic yard. The calculator gives you each figure.