Sand Calculator
Cubic yards, tons, and bags of sand for bedding and fill.
1 in for paver bedding, 6 in for a sandbox.
You need
0.37 cubic yards
Order a little extra; screeding always consumes more than the math.
- Approximate weight
- 0.50 tons
- Volume
- 10.0 cu ft
- 50 lb bags
- 20 bags
Estimates only. Verify quantities before ordering.
How this is calculated
Volume = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (in) / 12, divided by 27 for cubic yards. Weight assumes about 1.35 tons per cubic yard for dry sand. A 50 lb bag holds roughly 0.5 cu ft.
Enter the area and the depth of sand, and this calculator converts it to cubic yards for bulk orders, tons for quarry pricing, and 50 lb bags for small jobs. Concrete sand, mason sand, and play sand all measure the same way; they differ in grain size and cleanliness, not volume.
Match the sand to the job. Paver bedding should be coarse concrete sand at 1 inch deep, screeded flat. Sandboxes use washed play sand, typically 6 inches deep. Polymeric joint sand is a different product sold in small bags and is not what this calculator estimates.
Sand for common projects
Bedding rows use a 1 inch depth over a compacted gravel base; sandbox rows use 6 inches.
| Project | Cubic yards | 50 lb bags |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft paver bed, 1 in | 0.31 cubic yards | 17 bags |
| 12 x 12 ft paver bed, 1 in | 0.44 cubic yards | 24 bags |
| 16 x 20 ft paver bed, 1 in | 0.99 cubic yards | 54 bags |
| 6 x 6 ft sandbox, 6 in | 0.67 cubic yards | 36 bags |
| 8 x 8 ft sandbox, 6 in | 1.19 cubic yards | 64 bags |
Common questions
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Coarse, angular concrete sand (ASTM C33), screeded to a 1 inch bed over the compacted gravel base. Do not use fine play sand or mason sand under pavers: fine rounded grains shift and wash out, and the surface will rut.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs roughly 2,600 to 2,800 lb per cubic yard, and wet sand can push past 3,200. That is more than a half-ton pickup should carry, so have bulk sand delivered or haul it in small loads.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 6 inch depth is typical. An 8 x 8 ft sandbox at 6 inches takes 32 cubic feet, which is about 1.2 cubic yards or 64 of the 50 lb bags. Buy washed play sand for sandboxes, since unwashed construction sand is dusty and can contain sharp debris.
Can I use sand alone as a paver base?
No. Sand is the thin leveling layer, not the structure. The load is carried by 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed gravel beneath it. Pavers laid on sand alone settle unevenly within a season or two, especially where water moves through the soil.