How to use this sand calculator
- Measure the area.
- Enter the depth: 1 inch for paver bedding, 6–12 inches for a sandbox.
- Order a little extra because sand compacts.
Example
A 12 × 12 ft paver patio needs a 1 inch bedding layer of sand: 0.44 cu yd, weighing about 0.6 tons. In bags that is 24 bags of 50 lb.
What to know before you buy
Which sand to buy
Concrete sand (coarse, washed) is the right choice for paver bedding and mixing concrete. Masonry sand is finer and used for mortar. Play sand is washed and screened to be soft and clean for sandboxes. Polymeric sand is a special joint sand that hardens when wetted, locking pavers together and resisting weeds.
Bulk versus bags
Bagged sand is convenient for small jobs, but a 50 lb bag holds only about half a cubic foot. For more than about half a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper. Store sand covered so it stays dry and easy to spread.
Sand for common uses
| Project | Sand needed | Weight (US tons) | 50 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding 10 × 10 ft, 1 in | 0.31 cu yd | 0.42 tons | 17 |
| Paver bedding 12 × 16 ft, 1 in | 0.59 cu yd | 0.8 tons | 32 |
| Sandbox 5 × 5 ft, 6 in | 0.46 cu yd | 0.62 tons | 25 |
| Sandbox 6 × 6 ft, 12 in | 1.33 cu yd | 1.8 tons | 72 |
| Leveling 20 × 20 ft, 2 in | 2.47 cu yd | 3.33 tons | 134 |
Formula
Volume = length × width × depth. Dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb per cubic yard (≈ 1,600 kg/m³).
Tips from the pros
- Use coarse concrete sand for paver bedding and polymeric sand to fill the joints.
- Choose washed, screened play sand for sandboxes.
- Screed bedding sand to an even 1 inch; do not use it to fix low spots in the base.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using sand thicker than 1 inch under pavers, which lets them shift and sink.
- Buying fine masonry sand for drainage jobs: it packs tightly and drains poorly.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of sand are in a yard?
About 54 bags of 50 lb, since a cubic yard of sand weighs roughly 2,700 lb.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
A 1 inch layer of coarse bedding sand on top of a compacted gravel base.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 2,600–3,000 lb per cubic yard, roughly 1.3–1.5 US tons; wet sand weighs more.
How much play sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply the sandbox length by width by the depth you want (usually 6–12 inches). A 5 × 5 ft box filled 6 in deep needs about 12.5 cubic feet.