Sand Calculator

Quick Answer

Last updated: 10 November 2026 ·How we calculate this: volume formulas and typical sand bulk density

How This Sand Calculator Works

Sand is sold by the bag, by the cubic yard or by the ton, so you need both the volume and the weight. Choose a rectangle or a circle, enter the size and the depth, and the calculator works out the volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, the weight in tons and pounds, how many bags you need and the metric amounts. You can change the sand weight to match your supplier and add a price per ton for a cost estimate.

How to Use the Sand Calculator

1. Choose a rectangle or circle and enter its size in feet.
2. Enter the depth of sand in inches.
3. Keep 1.35 tons per cubic yard or enter your supplier’s weight.
4. Enter the bag size and, optionally, the price per ton.
5. Press Calculate and read cubic yards, tons and bags.

Sand Formulas

• Rectangle area: length × width (sq ft)
• Circle area: π × (diameter ÷ 2)²
• Volume: area × depth in inches ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards
• Weight: cubic yards × tons per cubic yard; × 2,000 = pounds
• Metric: 1 cubic yard = 0.7646 m³; 1 US ton = 0.9072 tonnes

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service gives about 1.6 g/cm³ as the typical bulk density of sands. That is 1.6 tonnes per cubic meter, or about 1.35 US tons per cubic yard, the default used here.

Key Terms

• Cubic yard: a volume 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft, equal to 27 cubic feet.
• Bulk density: weight per unit volume of loose material, including the air between grains.
• Play sand: washed, screened sand made for children’s sandboxes.
• Concrete sand: coarse washed sand used for concrete and paver bedding.
• Compaction: squeezing sand together so it takes up less space.

Worked Example

You want a round 8 ft play area with 6 inches of sand.

• Area = π × 4² = 50.3 sq ft
• Volume = 50.3 × 6 ÷ 12 = 25.1 cu ft = 0.93 cubic yards
• Weight = 0.93 × 1.35 = 1.26 tons (2,513 lb)
• That is 51 bags of 50 lb, or order about 1.02 cubic yards in bulk with 10% extra

Real-Life Examples

• Sandbox: 5 ft × 5 ft × 12 in needs 0.93 cubic yards or 50 bags of 50 lb.
• Paver base: 1 inch of sand under a 20 ft × 10 ft patio is 0.62 cubic yards, about 0.83 tons.
• Round play area: an 8 ft circle 6 inches deep needs 1.26 tons.
• Leveling and fill: estimate truckloads for leveling a yard or filling around pipes.

Bagged Sand vs Bulk Sand

• Bags (usually 50 lb) are easy to carry and good for small jobs, but cost more per ton.
• Bulk is sold by the cubic yard or ton and delivered by truck; it is cheaper for larger jobs.
• Break-even: beyond about half a cubic yard, bulk is usually cheaper.

Sand Weight by Condition

Typical values; your supplier’s figure is best.

Choosing Sand and Depth

Different jobs use different sand. Play sand is washed and screened to be soft and low in dust. Concrete sand (coarse washed sand) packs firmly and is the usual bedding layer under pavers, normally about 1 inch deep after screeding. Masonry sand is finer and used in mortar. Fill sand is cheaper and may contain clay or stones.

Weight changes a lot with moisture: wet sand can weigh 15 to 20% more than dry sand, so a ton of wet sand covers less. Sand also compacts when it is tamped or watered, so order extra if it will be compacted. For a sandbox, 6 to 12 inches is typical; for a paver base, about 1 inch of sand over 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel.

Bulk delivery is usually cheaper than bags for anything over about half a cubic yard, which is roughly 27 bags of 50 lb.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to convert depth. Depth in inches must be divided by 12 to get feet.
• Mixing cubic feet and cubic yards. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet.
• Ignoring moisture. Wet sand is heavier, so a ton covers less.
• Ordering exactly the amount. Add 5 to 10% for settling and spreading.
• Using the wrong sand. Use play sand for children and concrete sand for pavers.

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Sources