Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand you need for pavers, a sandbox or a base layer. Get tons, cubic yards, 50 lb bags and cost.
- Cubic yards
- 0.32
- Tons
- 0.44
- Cubic feet
- 8.8
- Area
- 100 sq ft
Bulk cost
$15
Before delivery and tax
Bagged
18 bags · $108
Advanced: material density
Default price is a typical U.S. figure ($15–$55 per ton), reviewed November 2026. Prices vary by region; enter your supplier's price for an exact total.
Sand is sold by the ton in bulk and in 50 pound bags. A cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 pounds.
For a paver patio, the sand layer under the pavers is usually just 1 inch deep, on top of a compacted gravel base.
How to calculate how much sand you need
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Decide on depth in inches (see the depth guide below).
- Multiply length × width to get square feet.
- Multiply by depth ÷ 12 to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to get tons.
Cubic yards = length × width × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Tons = cubic yards × 1.35.
Recommended sand depth
| Project | Depth |
|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | 1 in |
| Sandbox | 6–12 in |
| Pool base | 2 in |
How much sand for common project sizes
Cubic yards needed before any waste allowance, with tons in brackets (at 1.35 t/yd³).
| Area | 1 in deep | 2 in deep | 3 in deep | 4 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 0.31 yd³ (0.4 t) | 0.62 yd³ (0.8 t) | 0.93 yd³ (1.3 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) |
| 10 × 20 ft | 0.62 yd³ (0.8 t) | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) | 2.47 yd³ (3.3 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) |
| 12 × 12 ft | 0.44 yd³ (0.6 t) | 0.89 yd³ (1.2 t) | 1.33 yd³ (1.8 t) | 1.78 yd³ (2.4 t) | 2.67 yd³ (3.6 t) |
| 20 × 20 ft | 1.23 yd³ (1.7 t) | 2.47 yd³ (3.3 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) | 4.94 yd³ (6.7 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10 t) |
| 12 × 50 ft (driveway) | 1.85 yd³ (2.5 t) | 3.7 yd³ (5 t) | 5.56 yd³ (7.5 t) | 7.41 yd³ (10 t) | 11.11 yd³ (15 t) |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ (2.1 t) | 3.09 yd³ (4.2 t) | 4.63 yd³ (6.3 t) | 6.17 yd³ (8.3 t) | 9.26 yd³ (12.5 t) |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ (4.2 t) | 6.17 yd³ (8.3 t) | 9.26 yd³ (12.5 t) | 12.35 yd³ (16.7 t) | 18.52 yd³ (25 t) |
Tips before you order
- Use coarse concrete sand for paver bedding, not fine play sand.
- Polymeric sand for paver joints is sold separately; one bag covers roughly 25 to 75 square feet depending on joint width.
Frequently asked questions
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a yard?
About 54 bags, since a yard of sand weighs around 2,700 pounds.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
A 1 inch bedding layer needs about 0.31 cubic yards per 100 square feet.