How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?

Dry sand weighs approximately 2,500-3,000 pounds per cubic yard depending on type. Concrete sand averages 2,700 lbs/yd³, play sand about 2,400 lbs/yd³, and fill sand about 3,000 lbs/yd³. Wet sand is significantly heavier.

How deep should paver bedding sand be?

Paver bedding sand (the layer directly under pavers) should be exactly 1 inch deep after screeding. The aggregate base layer beneath should be 4-6 inches for pedestrian areas and 6-8 inches for vehicular areas. Do not use more than 1.5 inches of bedding sand.

What type of sand should I use for pavers?

Use concrete sand (also called sharp sand or coarse sand) for the paver base and bedding layer. For filling joints between pavers, use polymeric sand which hardens when wet and prevents weed growth and insect intrusion.

How much sand for a sandbox?

Fill a sandbox 12-18 inches deep with play sand. A standard 8x8 foot sandbox at 12 inches deep needs about 2.4 cubic yards or approximately 3.2 tons of sand. Always use non-toxic play sand that has been washed and screened.

Sand Calculator

Building a new patio, filling a backyard sandbox, or mixing concrete requires the right materials. Sand is a foundational element for countless landscaping and construction jobs. Guessing how much you need can lead to frustrating delays or wasted money. Our Sand Calculator takes the guesswork completely out of your planning phase. We will explore how this tool works, why accurate estimates are crucial, and how you can use it to make your next project a complete success.

Why Accurate Sand Estimates Matter

Whether you are laying a paver base or leveling a pool, having the right amount of sand is critical. If you order too little, your project stops in its tracks. You have to make another trip to the hardware store or pay for a second bulk delivery. This wastes your valuable time and pushes your project timeline back.

Ordering too much sand creates a different problem. You end up paying for extra material that you do not actually need. Plus, you are left figuring out what to do with a massive pile of leftover sand sitting in your driveway. Getting a precise calculation upfront ensures your project runs smoothly and stays perfectly on budget.

How to Use the Sand Calculator

We designed this tool to handle the complicated volume math for you. You do not need to be a professional contractor to get a highly accurate material estimate. Just grab your tape measure and follow these simple steps:

Enter your dimensions: Measure the total length and width of the area you need to fill. Drop those numbers into the tool.
Input your depth: Tell the calculator how deep the sand needs to be. A standard paver base usually requires about one inch of bedding sand, while a children's sandbox might need several inches of depth.
Select your sand type: Different types of sand have slightly different weights. Concrete or sharp sand weighs differently than fine play sand. Choose your specific material so the tool can apply the correct density to your estimate.
Include the price: Enter the cost per ton from your local supplier to get an instant budget estimate for your entire job.

Once you hit calculate, the tool instantly processes your numbers and tells you exactly how much material to order.

Understanding Tons, Cubic Yards, and Bags

When you process your measurements, the calculator provides your results in three different formats. It shows your total volume in cubic yards, your total weight in tons, and the number of standard bags required.

Why do we provide all three measurements? Bulk suppliers usually sell and deliver sand by the ton or cubic yard. Having these specific numbers ready helps you place a bulk delivery order over the phone easily. However, if you are just filling a small backyard project, you will likely buy individual bags from a local hardware store. The bag count tells you exactly how many individual bags you need to load into your cart.

Get Ready to Start Building

You have enough hard physical work ahead of you with shovels and wheelbarrows. You should not have to worry about complicated math while trying to plan your backyard transformation.

Let our simple tool handle the calculations so you can focus on building something great. Gather your site measurements, plug them into the Sand Calculator, and head into your next project knowing exactly what you need.