Sand Calculator
Estimate sand by volume and weight for any project.
Enter the area you're covering and the depth of sand to get the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet plus the approximate weight in tons. Useful for paver bases, sandboxes, and bedding layers.
How it works
Volume is area × depth (in feet), divided by 27 for cubic yards. Dry sand weighs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, though moisture and grain size shift that. Since sand is often sold by the ton, the weight estimate helps you order.
Worked example
For a 10 ft × 10 ft paver bedding layer 1 inch deep: 100 sq ft × 0.083 ft = 8.3 cu ft, ÷ 27 = 0.31 cu yd. Sand weighs about 1.3–1.4 tons per yard, so roughly 0.4 tons (about 800 lb). For small jobs, bagged sand at ~0.5 cu ft per 50-lb bag means about 17 bags.
What changes your estimate
- Sand type. Bedding/leveling sand, mason sand, and play sand differ in grain and weight — use the right one for the job.
- Depth matters. Paver bedding is usually ~1 inch; too deep a sand layer causes settling and ruts.
- Bags vs. bulk. Bagged sand suits small areas; anything over ~0.5 yard is cheaper delivered loose.
- Moisture. Damp sand weighs more and compacts differently than dry — a factor when buying by the ton.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 20×10 ft area at 2 inches deep needs about 1.23 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 1.35 tons (roughly 2,700 lb) for dry sand; wet sand weighs more.
What depth of sand for a paver base?
About 1 inch of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base is typical for pavers.
Is this calculator free and private?
Yes. Every CubicCabin calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter are never uploaded or stored. There's no sign-up, no limits, and it keeps working even if you lose connection after the page loads.