How to calculate sand
Sand is sold three ways: by the bag at home centers, by the cubic yard at landscape supply yards, and by the ton at quarries and many sand yards. All three start with the same number, the volume. Multiply the area by the depth, convert to cubic yards, then multiply by the weight of a cubic yard to get tons.
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard (lb) ÷ 2,000
50 lb bags = total weight (lb) ÷ 50, rounded up
Worked example: a 6 × 6 ft sandbox, 6 in. deep
- Area: 6 × 6 = 36 sq ft.
- Volume: 36 × 6 ÷ 12 = 18 cu ft.
- Add 10% for settling and spillage: 18 × 1.10 = 19.8 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: 19.8 ÷ 27 = 0.73 cu yd.
- Weight at about 2,700 lb per cubic yard, which is 100 lb per cubic foot: 19.8 × 100 = 1,980 lb, or 0.99 tons.
- 50 lb bags: 1,980 ÷ 50 = 39.6, so buy 40 bags.
At about 2,700 lb per cubic yard, dry sand weighs roughly 100 lb per cubic foot, so a 50 lb bag holds about 0.5 cu ft. That is about 54 bags per cubic yard, or 40 bags per ton.
Types of sand and what they weigh
Dry sand typically weighs about 2,500 to 2,900 lb per cubic yard (about 1.25 to 1.45 tons), depending on grain size and how loosely it is piled. Wet sand weighs more because water fills the spaces between grains. The figures below are approximate defaults; if your supplier gives you a number, use the custom density option.
| Sand type | What it is | Common uses | Approximate weight per cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play sand | Fine, washed and screened sand | Sandboxes, play areas | About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) |
| All-purpose sand | General-use sand, grain size varies by brand | Leveling, filling, under stepping stones, mixing | About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) |
| Mason sand | Fine, smooth, uniform sand | Mortar, under above-ground pools, lawn topdressing mixes | About 2,600 lb (1.3 tons) |
| Concrete sand, paver bedding sand | Coarse, sharp sand (often meets ASTM C33) | 1 in. bedding layer under pavers, concrete mixing, drainage | About 2,800 lb (1.4 tons) |
| Wet sand | Any sand holding water | Bulk deliveries after rain | About 3,200 lb (1.6 tons) or more |
Polymeric and regular joint sand, which fill the gaps between pavers, are a separate product. Their coverage depends on joint width and paver shape, so use the chart on the bag.
How deep should sand be?
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Sandbox | About 6–12 in., kept a few inches below the top of the frame |
| Bedding layer under pavers | 1 in., screeded flat over a compacted base |
| Under flagstone or stepping stones | About 1–2 in. |
| Base under an above-ground pool | Often about 2 in.; follow the pool maker's instructions |
| Filling low spots in a lawn | About 1/4–1/2 in. at a time, so grass can grow through |
For a paver patio, the sand is only the top layer. Use the paver calculator to get the pavers, the compacted gravel base and the bedding sand together, or the gravel calculator for the base alone.
How much area does sand cover?
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers | One 50 lb bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in. | 324 sq ft | 240 sq ft | 6 sq ft |
| 2 in. | 162 sq ft | 120 sq ft | 3 sq ft |
| 6 in. | 54 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 1 sq ft |
| 12 in. | 27 sq ft | 20 sq ft | 0.5 sq ft |
The ton and bag columns assume dry sand at about 2,700 lb per cubic yard (a ton is about 20 cu ft, a 50 lb bag about 0.5 cu ft).
Play sand safety and buying tips
- Buy sand sold as play sand for kids. Look for washed and screened sand. Concrete and all-purpose sand can be coarser and less clean.
- Keep dust down. Natural sand can contain crystalline silica, and the concern is fine dust you breathe in. Choose a low-dust washed product, pour bags slowly close to the ground, and lightly dampen the sand if it gets dusty.
- Cover the sandbox. A lid or tarp keeps out rain, leaves and animals. Rake it occasionally and top it up as sand gets tracked out.
- Use the right sand under pavers. Coarse concrete sand drains and holds its shape. Fine play or mason sand can shift and wash out under pavers.
- Don't bury the lawn. When leveling, spread thin layers and work them into the grass. Many lawn experts suggest a sand and soil or compost mix that matches your soil, rather than pure sand over heavy clay. The topsoil calculator handles soil volumes.
- Compare bags and bulk. Enter prices above. A cubic yard of sand is roughly 54 bags, so bulk usually wins once you need more than about a yard.
Frequently asked questions
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 54. Dry sand weighs roughly 2,700 lb per cubic yard, and 2,700 ÷ 50 = 54. Each 50 lb bag holds about 0.5 cu ft, and a cubic yard is 27 cu ft.
How much sand do I need for an 8×8 sandbox?
An 8 × 8 ft sandbox filled 6 in. deep holds 32 cu ft, which is about 1.19 cubic yards or 64 bags of 50 lb play sand. With a 10% allowance, plan on about 71 bags or 1.3 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 2,500 to 2,900 lb per cubic yard, or roughly 1.25 to 1.45 tons. About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) is a common working figure. Wet sand can weigh 3,000 lb or more per yard.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
Use about 1 in. of coarse concrete sand over a compacted gravel base. For a 10 × 12 ft patio, that is 10 cu ft, or about 11 cu ft (roughly 22–23 bags of 50 lb) with a 10% allowance. The paver calculator figures sand, base and pavers together.
How much area does a ton of sand cover?
A ton of dry sand is about 20 cubic feet. That covers about 240 sq ft at 1 in. deep, 120 sq ft at 2 in., or 40 sq ft at 6 in.
What is the difference between play sand and all-purpose sand?
Play sand is washed and screened to a fine, uniform grain for sandboxes. All-purpose sand is a general-use product whose grain size varies by brand; it is fine for leveling and filling but is not specifically made for children's play areas.
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