Sand Calculator
Enter the area and depth to find how much sand you need in cubic yards and tons.
To calculate sand, multiply length by width by depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by about 1.35 tons per cubic yard — the density of dry sand — to get the weight in tons. Sand for paver bases is usually laid about one inch deep.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the length and width of the area in feet and the depth of sand you need, choosing inches or feet. Paver and flagstone bedding is typically about one inch of sand; a sub-base for a larger project can be several inches.
The calculator returns cubic yards and an estimated weight in tons. The density defaults to 1.35 tons per cubic yard for dry sand; wet sand is heavier, so raise the density if your sand is damp or your supplier quotes a different figure.
How the Calculation Works
As with any bulk material, multiplying length, width and depth in feet gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 converts to cubic yards. Sand is frequently ordered by the ton, so the calculator multiplies the cubic yards by the sand's density to give tonnage.
Dry masonry and concrete sand weigh roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Because moisture adds significant weight, the density is editable rather than fixed.
cubic yards = (L × W × D ft) ÷ 27; tons = yd³ × density
Worked Example
For a 12-by-12-foot patio base at 3 inches of sand: the depth is 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet. The volume is 12 × 12 × 0.25 = 36 cubic feet, and 36 ÷ 27 = 1.33 cubic yards.
At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, that is 1.33 × 1.35 = 1.8 tons of sand. Rounding up to 2 tons covers levelling and waste.
Assumptions and Limitations
- Default density of 1.35 tons/yd³ is for dry sand; wet sand weighs more
- Paver bedding sand is usually about 1 inch; deeper for structural bases
- Assumes a rectangular area of uniform depth
- Different sand types (mason, concrete, play) vary slightly in density
When to Use a Sand Calculator
Masons, pool installers, and paver contractors use this to estimate sand for bedding pavers, filling a sandbox, setting a pool base, or mixing mortar and concrete. Enter the area and depth to get cubic yards and tons before ordering bulk sand or counting bags. A quick estimate keeps you from running short mid-job — which can leave an uneven base — or paying to haul away a leftover pile.
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Open calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 1.35 tons — roughly 2,700 pounds — per cubic yard. Wet sand is heavier because water fills the spaces between grains, so damp sand can exceed 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
How deep should paver sand be?
Bedding sand for pavers is typically about one inch deep over a compacted gravel base. Too deep a sand layer allows pavers to shift and settle unevenly.
How do I convert sand from yards to tons?
Multiply the cubic yards by the density. For dry sand at 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 1.33 cubic yards is about 1.8 tons.
What type of sand should I use under pavers?
Coarse concrete or 'sharp' sand is used for bedding because it drains and locks together well. Fine play sand is not recommended as a structural bedding layer.
How much sand should I order?
Order about 5–10% more than the calculated amount to allow for levelling, joint filling and spillage, and round up to the nearest half or full ton for delivery.
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