How much sand do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get volume, convert to cubic yards, then to tons. Sand yards and quarries sell bulk sand by the ton or the yard. Stores sell it in 50 lb bags.
Tons = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324 × tons per cubic yard
A 12 × 12 ft patio with 1 inch of bedding sand: 12 × 12 × 1 ÷ 324 = 0.44 cubic yards. Add 10% for compaction and spill and it's 0.49 cubic yards, about 0.7 tons of dry sand. Order 1 ton, or 27 bags of 50 lb.
At the default prices, bulk is $125 delivered and bags are $162. Change the prices to your supplier's.
How much does sand weigh?
Water adds a lot of weight to sand. Sand in a supplier's pile is usually damp. Ask what weight they use per yard and enter it above.
| Sand | Typical tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|
| Dry sand | 1.35 | About 100 |
| Damp sand | 1.5 | About 110 |
| Wet sand | 1.7 | About 125 |
A 50 lb bag typically holds about 0.5 cu ft, so a cubic yard is about 54 bags. Bag yields vary by brand, so check the label and edit "Volume per bag".
Sand calculator in yards
Some yards sell sand by the cubic yard rather than the ton. Use the cubic yards figure for those. One cubic yard covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep, 162 sq ft at 2 inches and 54 sq ft at 6 inches.
Paver sand
Pavers are typically set on a 1 inch screeded layer of coarse concrete sand over a compacted gravel base. Don't use it to make up for an uneven base. Joint sand, including polymeric sand, is a separate, much smaller amount; the paver calculator covers pavers, base and joint sand together.
Play sand for a sandbox
Sandboxes are usually filled 6–12 inches deep with washed play sand, sold in 50 lb bags. A 5 × 5 ft sandbox at 6 inches holds 0.46 cubic yards, or 25 bags.
Pool sand
An above-ground pool is typically set on a 2 inch layer of sand over level ground. Choose "Circle" and enter the pool's diameter. A 15 ft round pool at 2 inches with 10% extra needs 1.2 cubic yards, about 1.6 tons. Filter sand is different: use the amount on your filter's label.
Sand for leveling a lawn
To fill shallow dips, spread no more than about 1/4 inch at a time and let the grass grow through between passes. 1,000 sq ft at 1/4 inch is 0.77 cubic yards, about 1 ton of dry sand. Many people use a sand and soil mix; the topsoil calculator works the same way.
Pricing a sand job
Landscapers usually price sand per ton plus markup, delivery at cost, and labor to spread and screed it. Switch to contractor mode to set your markup and hours, then send it on a landscaping estimate.
Questions
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
Typically about 1.35 tons for dry sand and 1.5 to 1.7 tons for damp or wet sand.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
About 54, if each bag holds 0.5 cu ft. A cubic yard is 27 cu ft.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
Typically a 1 inch layer of coarse sand over the compacted base. That's about 1 cubic yard per 324 sq ft before extra.
How much sand do I need for an above-ground pool?
Typically a 2 inch layer under the pool. A 15 ft round pool needs about 1.1 cubic yards, or 1.2 with 10% extra.
Is it cheaper to buy sand in bags or bulk?
Bulk is usually cheaper once you need more than about half a ton, even with a delivery fee.