Paver bedding: 10 ft × 10 ft, 1 in deep
A thin leveling layer. One inch is 0.0833 ft, so the volume is 100 ft² × 0.0833 ft.
100 ft² × 0.0833 ft = 8.33 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.31 yd³
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is about 0.43 tons.
Sand Calculator
Free sand calculator: find out how much sand you need in cubic yards and tons for a paver base, sandbox, aboveground pool base or leveling job.
Enter Your Area to Calculate Sand
Enter your dimensions, then press Calculate.
Calculate a Rectangle Area
3D view- LLength—
- WWidth—
- DDepth—
Area = length × width · Volume = area × depth
Sand Needed by Area and Depth
Sand jobs vary from a paper thin bedding layer to a deep play area, and the depth drives almost everything. A 100 square foot patio with a one inch bedding layer needs about 0.3 of a cubic yard. Fill that same area six inches deep and it is 1.85. The table shows how area and depth combine.
| Area | 1 in deep | 2 in deep | 6 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | 0.08 yd³ | 0.15 yd³ | 0.46 yd³ |
| 100 sq ft | 0.31 yd³ | 0.62 yd³ | 1.85 yd³ |
| 200 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ | 1.23 yd³ | 3.7 yd³ |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ | 3.09 yd³ | 9.26 yd³ |
Your own area will not match those round numbers, so use the sand calculator above for the real thing. For a plain English walkthrough of the volume math, see the cubic yard calculation guide, and for bedding layers, sandboxes and pool bases, our guide to how much sand you need.
How to Use This Sand Calculator
Enter the area and the depth of the layer, and it returns cubic yards and tons, the two units sand suppliers quote.
- Pick the shape of the area, or Known Area if you already have the square footage.
- Enter the sizes and choose a unit for each field. Feet, inches, yards, millimeters, centimeters and meters can be mixed.
- Enter the depth of the sand layer.
- Open the optional section to set the density your supplier quotes, add a waste percentage of your own, or enter a price per ton or per cubic yard.
- Press Calculate, then read the cubic yards, the weight in tons and the metric tonnes.
Try another depth and press Calculate again to compare before you place an order. Volume and weight come from the same measurements, so the figures always agree when you ask for a quote.
Calculate Cubic Yards of Sand by Hand
If you would rather calculate sand cubic yards on paper, there are three short lines.
Cubic feet = area (ft²) × depth (ft)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × density (tons per yd³)
Depth must be in feet, so 1 inch is 1 ÷ 12 = 0.0833 ft. Sand is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton, and a yard of damp sand weighs more than a yard of dry sand, so treat the tonnage as an estimate. If you only need the volume, the cubic yard calculator runs the same sum without the weight step.
Sand Area Shapes and Formulas
Sand jobs are usually simple shapes: a patio, a sandbox or a pool base. Find the drawing that matches, measure the lettered sizes and enter them in the sand calculator to get cubic yards and tons. A hexagonal sandbox is worked out in our sand guide.
Rectangle
Paver patios, walkways and play areas.
Area = L × W
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
L = length (ft) · W = width (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: L = 16 ft, W = 14 ft, D = 1 in. Area = 224 ft². Volume = 224 × 1 ÷ 12 = 18.67 ft³, which is 0.69 yd³.
Square
Square sandboxes.
Area = S × S
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
S = side length (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: S = 6 ft, D = 10 in. Area = 36 ft². Volume = 36 × 10 ÷ 12 = 30 ft³, which is 1.11 yd³.
Circle
The sand base under a round pool that sits above ground.
Area = π × (Ø ÷ 2)²
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
Ø = diameter (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: Ø = 20 ft, D = 2 in. Area = 314.16 ft². Volume = 314.16 × 2 ÷ 12 = 52.36 ft³, which is 1.94 yd³.
Rectangle Border
Bedding sand for a paver border around a patio.
Area = (L + 2b) × (W + 2b) − L × W
Volume (ft³) = Area × D ÷ 12
Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27
L = inner length (ft) · W = inner width (ft) · b = border width (ft) · D = depth (in)
Example: L = 20 ft, W = 15 ft, b = 1 ft, D = 1 in. Area = 74 ft². Volume = 74 × 1 ÷ 12 = 6.17 ft³, which is 0.23 yd³.
Sand Depth: How Deep for Each Job?
There is no single right depth. These are common starting points; your project, product and local rules decide the real figure.
Paver bedding
Pavers usually sit on a compacted gravel base with a thin leveling layer of coarse sand on top, often around one inch. Calculate the sand here and the base with the Gravel Calculator.
Sandboxes and play areas
Depth depends on how the sand will be used. Many sandboxes are filled to several inches, and a deeper box suits digging. Measure the frame, enter the height of the sand, and the calculator does the rest.
Leveling and thin top dressing
A light layer of sand is sometimes spread to even out a low patch or work into a lawn. These layers are thin, often well under an inch, so the volume is small. Enter the real depth and the result will show it.
Trenches and pipe bedding
Sand around buried pipes or cables is usually specified by the utility or the manufacturer. Use the depth in their instructions and measure the trench as a long, narrow rectangle.
Sand Coverage: What One Yard or Ton Covers
Coverage is volume divided by depth, so a thin layer goes a very long way. Here is what one cubic yard covers, and what a ton covers at 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers (at 1.4 t/yd³) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft | about 231 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | about 116 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | about 77 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | about 58 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | about 39 sq ft |
| 12 in | 27 sq ft | about 19 sq ft |
Sand Weight: Cubic Yards to Tons
Suppliers quote by the yard, by the ton, or both, so a conversion is handy. The calculator does it for you, and the table shows how much the density matters.
| Cubic yards | 1.3 t/yd³ (dry) | 1.4 t/yd³ (default) | 1.5 t/yd³ (damp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.65 tons | 0.7 tons | 0.75 tons |
| 1 | 1.3 tons | 1.4 tons | 1.5 tons |
| 2 | 2.6 tons | 2.8 tons | 3 tons |
| 5 | 6.5 tons | 7 tons | 7.5 tons |
| 10 | 13 tons | 14 tons | 15 tons |
Wet sand can be heavier still. If a load arrives soaked, the weight on the ticket will be higher than you expected for the same volume, which is why asking the supplier for their density is worth the extra minute.
Sand Calculator Examples
Sandbox: 4 ft × 4 ft, 8 in deep
A small box filled to eight inches: 16 ft² × 0.6667 ft.
16 ft² × 0.6667 ft = 10.67 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.4 yd³
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is about 0.55 tons.
Aboveground pool base: 18 ft round, 2 in deep
Many aboveground pool kits ask for a level sand layer under the liner. Take the depth and the pad size from your pool's instructions; this example uses 2 inches over an 18 ft circle.
254.469 ft² × 0.1667 ft = 42.41 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.57 yd³
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is about 2.2 tons.
Leveling a low area: 20 ft × 15 ft, 2 in deep
A rectangle of 300 ft², spread two inches deep (0.1667 ft).
300 ft² × 0.1667 ft = 50 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.85 yd³
At 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is about 2.59 tons.
Metric: 3 m × 2 m, 5 cm deep, with a 10% cushion
Metric inputs are converted exactly (1 ft = 0.3048 m). The result is shown in cubic yards and tons.
64.5835 ft² × 0.164 ft = 10.59 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.39 yd³
With 10% allowance: 0.43 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per cubic yard that is about 0.6 tons.
Should You Order Extra Sand?
A little extra is common. Sand compacts, some is lost to spillage, and the surface under it is rarely perfectly flat. Enter your own percentage in the optional waste field. It starts at 0%, so the calculator never adds extra on its own, and weight and cost are based on the total including your allowance.
Tips for an Accurate Sand Estimate
- Measure curved edges at several points and use the average width.
- Work out each layer separately, starting with the base and finishing with the sand.
- Ask the supplier whether the sand is dry or damp and what density they use.
- If you only know the sides of an area, the Square Feet Calculator gives the square footage to use with Known Area.
Sand Calculator FAQ
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
It depends on the type of sand and how wet it is. Dry sand is often around 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, damp sand about 1.5 to 1.7, and wet sand heavier still. This sand calculator starts at 1.4 and lets you edit it.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
The leveling bed under pavers is usually a thin layer, often around one inch, on top of a compacted base. Follow the paver manufacturer's instructions and local guidance, and calculate the base separately.
How do I calculate sand for a sandbox?
Multiply the box's length, width and sand depth, all in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply by the density to get tons. A 4 ft by 4 ft box filled 8 inches deep needs about 0.4 cubic yards.
How much sand do I need under an aboveground pool?
Choose Circle, enter the pool's diameter (or the pad size if the instructions ask for sand past the wall) and the depth the kit calls for. An 18 ft round pool with 2 inches of sand needs about 1.57 cubic yards. Always follow your pool's own instructions for the depth.
Can I use it to work out pool filter sand?
No. Pool filter sand is sold by weight, and the amount depends on the filter, so use the figure on your filter's label or in its manual. This calculator suits the sand base under an aboveground pool.
Does it give tons as well as cubic yards?
Yes, this one. It shows cubic yards, the weight in US tons and metric tonnes. Change the density if your supplier quotes a different figure.
Which type of sand should I buy?
It depends on the job. Coarse concrete sand is the usual choice for the bed under pavers, washed play sand suits sandboxes, and finer masonry sand is made for mortar. The volume is the same whichever you buy, but ask your supplier for the density, because it changes the weight.
Can I enter the area directly?
Yes. Choose Known Area and type the square footage (or m², yd² and so on), then enter the depth.
Related Guides
- How Much Sand Do I Need?Calculate the amount of sand needed for sandboxes, patios, landscaping, leveling, and other projects using area and depth.
- Cubic Yards to Tons: How to Convert Different MaterialsConvert cubic yards to tons for gravel, sand, topsoil, mulch and concrete, with a weight chart by material and why wet material weighs more.
- How Much Gravel Do I Need?Work out how much gravel a driveway, path or drain needs in cubic yards and tons, with depth guides, a compaction allowance and worked examples.
- How Many Bags Are in a Cubic Yard?See how many bags of mulch, soil, sand and concrete make one cubic yard, for every common bag size, and how to turn any order into a bag count.
More Calculators
- CY CalculatorCubic yards, feet and meters from any shape.
- Mulch CalculatorHow much mulch for a bed, in cubic yards and bags.
- Concrete CalculatorConcrete for slabs, footings and columns, in yards and bags.
- Gravel CalculatorGravel for paths and driveways, in cubic yards and tons.
- Topsoil CalculatorTopsoil for lawns and garden beds, in cubic yards and tons.
- Square Feet CalculatorArea of any shape in ft², yd², m² and acres.
Cite this page
APA style
Khan, M. A. (2026, October 19). Sand Calculator. CY Calculator. https://cycalculator.com/sand-calculator