Sand Calculator

How to Use This Sand Calculator

This sand calculator estimates the cubic yards, weight in tons, and cost of sand for any project. Enter the length, width, and depth of the area to be filled. Choose your sand type — dry sand, wet sand, paver sand, or polymeric sand — and the calculator pre-fills the appropriate density value, which you can override. Add an optional price per ton or cubic yard for a cost estimate.

How to Calculate Sand for Pavers

For paver installations, the paver sand calculator follows the same volume formula as any sand project, but with one important constraint: the bedding layer must be exactly 1 inch.

Cubic yards = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) ÷ 27

Step-by-Step Example

1. Patio area: 15 ft × 12 ft
2. Bedding sand depth: 1 inch = 0.0833 ft
3. Volume: 15 × 12 × 0.0833 ÷ 27 = 0.56 cubic yards
4. Weight: 0.56 × 1.35 = 0.76 tons (1,520 lbs)
5. Add 4–6 in of compacted gravel base below the sand layer

Paver Sand vs. Polymeric Sand

Both paver sand and polymeric sand serve as the bedding and jointing layer in paver installations, but they behave differently after installation.

• Regular paver sand — Loose fine sand used as the bedding layer and swept into joints. Low cost, easy to work with, but joints can wash out and weeds can take root over time.
• Polymeric sand — Contains polymer binders that harden when activated with water. Joints resist washing, weed growth, and ant displacement. Costs more upfront but reduces long-term maintenance significantly.
• When to use polymeric — Any paver project where durability matters: driveways, patios, and pool surrounds. For temporary installations or tight budgets, regular paver sand works fine.

Sand Coverage and Weight Reference

• 100 ft² at 1 in (paver bed) — 0.31 yd³ · 0.42 tons
• 200 ft² at 1 in — 0.62 yd³ · 0.84 tons
• 10×10 sandbox at 6 in — 1.85 yd³ · 2.50 tons
• 20×40 ft volleyball court at 12 in — 29.63 yd³ · 40 tons

Types of Sand and When to Use Each

Not all sand is interchangeable. Using the wrong type can cause project failures — paver installations that shift, playgrounds with compaction problems, or concrete that doesn't cure properly.

• Play sand (washed sand) — fine-grained, soft, rounded particles; safe for children; no sharp edges; does not compact tightly. Ideal for sandboxes and sensory play areas. Avoid using for pavers — it is too fine to resist lateral movement.
• Coarse sand (concrete sand, all-purpose sand) — angular particles in the 1–2 mm range; forms a stable, compactable layer. Used in concrete mixes, masonry mortar, and as a base layer under pavers. Angular particles lock together under load.
• Paver sand (bedding sand) — coarse, sharp-grained sand specifically sized for paver installation bedding layers; provides a stable, 1-inch screeded bed that levels the paver base and allows minor adjustments during installation.
• Polymeric jointing sand — a blend of fine sand and polymer binders that hardens when wet. Swept into paver joints after installation; resists washout, weed growth, and ant displacement. More expensive than regular jointing sand but significantly reduces long-term maintenance.
• Mason sand — very fine, consistent grain size; used in mortar for bricklaying, stucco, and plastering. Smoother texture than concrete sand; not appropriate for structural applications requiring angular aggregate.

Sand for Sandboxes — How Much and What Type

Sandboxes are one of the most common residential sand applications. Here is what you need to know:

• Recommended depth — 6–8 inches of sand for a comfortable play experience. Shallower depths get moved around quickly and expose the sandbox floor.
• Type to use — play sand (washed, rounded grain); never use beach sand (may contain salt, shells, and pollutants), construction sand (too fine and dusty), or silica sand (sharp edges).
• Coverage example — a 6×6 foot sandbox at 8 inches deep needs 2.0 cubic yards (1.85 tons) of play sand.
• Maintenance — cover sandboxes when not in use to prevent cats from using them as a litter box and to keep rain from washing sand out. Rake periodically to aerate and check for debris.
• Silica dust warning — some play sand products historically contained crystalline silica, a respiratory hazard. Purchase play sand labeled as "non-crystalline silica" or "silica-free" for children's sandboxes.

For sandbox cost estimates, use the calculator above with your sandbox dimensions, 8-inch depth, and the price per ton from your local landscape supplier.

Sand Cost Guide

• Bulk delivery (all-purpose/mason sand): $25–$40/ton
• Bulk paver sand: $30–$50/ton
• Bagged paver sand (50 lb bag): $5–$8/bag ($200–$320/ton equivalent)
• Polymeric sand (50 lb bag): $25–$35/bag

For projects over 0.5 cubic yards, bulk sand delivery is dramatically cheaper than bags. Find all our landscaping and construction estimating tools in our construction calculators section.