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Sand Calculator: How Much Sand Do I Need?
Sand is sold by the ton, bagged by the cubic foot, and your project is measured in feet and inches. Enter your area and depth for an estimated tonnage range, cubic yards, and bag counts — with a waste allowance for spreading and compaction. No sign-up; the math runs entirely in your browser.
By HowMuchBuild Editorial TeamCalculation reviewedUpdated October 2026
feet
feet
inches — 1″ is typical paver bedding
10% is a safe default — sand compacts and washes out of joints.
Estimated cost
What will it cost?
Enter your local store prices — prices vary by region.
Sand (bulk, per ton)
1.5 tons
—
Sand (0.5 cu ft bags)
53 bags
—
Estimate — prices vary by store and region. Check your local store for current pricing.
You need (estimate)
1.3–1.4tons
Weight estimate — 1 cu yd of dry sand weighs roughly 1.3–1.4 tons depending on sand type and moisture.
Order 1.5 tons (rounded up to the nearest half ton)
26.4
with waste (cu ft)
0.98
with waste (cu yd)
53
with waste (0.5 cu ft bags)
How we calculated it
- Area = 12 ft × 12 ft = 144 sq ft
- Volume = 144 sq ft × 0.17 ft (2″) = 24 cu ft
- With 10% waste = 26.4 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.98 cu yd
- Weight estimate = 0.98 cu yd × 1.3–1.4 tons/cu yd = 1.3–1.4 tons
- Rounded up to the nearest half ton = 1.5 tons (order this amount)
- As 0.5 cu ft bags: 26.4 ÷ 0.5 = 52.8 → round up = 53 bags
Estimates for planning. Sand weight varies by type (mason, play, concrete) and moisture — wet sand can weigh noticeably more. Always round up: running short mid-project means a second delivery fee.
Worked example: 12×10 ft patio, 1″ bedding
Full arithmetic, step by step:
- Area: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft
- Volume: 120 × (1 ÷ 12) = 10 cu ft
- With 10% allowance: 11 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.41 cu yd
- Weight estimate: 0.41 × 1.3–1.4 = 0.53–0.57 tons
- Order: round the high end up → 1 ton bulk (practical minimum), or 11 ÷ 0.5 = 22 bags
Coverage chart: what one ton covers
Approximate square feet covered by one ton of dry sand at each depth (mid-range density — varies by type and moisture):
| Depth | Area per ton (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1″ | ≈ 240 sq ft |
| 2″ | ≈ 120 sq ft |
| 4″ | ≈ 60 sq ft |
The formulas
Area
Rectangle: A = L × W · Circle: A = πr² — all in feet.
Volume
V = A × (depth in inches ÷ 12), then cu yd = V ÷ 27 (exact).
Weight (estimate)
Tons = cu yd × 1.3–1.4 — a range, because sand type and moisture move the number. Wet sand weighs noticeably more than dry.
Bags
Bags = ⌈ cu ft ÷ 0.5 ⌉ — exact arithmetic for standard half-cubic-foot bags, always rounded up.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
As an estimate, one cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 1.3–1.4 tons (2,600–2,800 lb). The exact figure varies with sand type (mason, concrete, play) and moisture — wet sand can weigh noticeably more, which is why this calculator shows a range.
How much sand do I need for a 12×10 ft paver patio with 1″ of bedding?
12 × 10 × (1 ÷ 12) = 10 cu ft; with a 10% allowance that's 11 cu ft = 0.41 cu yd. At 1.3–1.4 tons per yard, that's 0.53–0.57 tons — order 1 ton bulk (the practical minimum), or 22 half-cubic-foot bags.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Coarse concrete sand or mason sand (guidance) — the angular grains compact and lock together. Play sand is too fine and rounded for bedding; it shifts under load. Check what your local yard stocks as “paver bedding sand.”
How deep should paver bedding sand be?
About 1 inch, screeded level (guidance). The sand is a setting bed, not the structural base — that job belongs to 4+ inches of compacted gravel underneath. More than an inch of sand invites settling and wavy pavers.
What's the difference between mason sand and concrete sand?
Mostly regional naming (guidance). Both are coarse, washed sands that work for bedding and mixing. Bag labels vary by market — what matters is that it's coarse and angular, not fine play sand.
Can I use sand instead of gravel for a shed base?
Not as the whole base (guidance). Sand shifts and holds water; a compacted gravel base drains and stays put. A thin sand layer over gravel is fine for leveling, but the gravel does the structural work.
Keep estimating