Sand Calculator
Calculate how much sand you need in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, tons, kilograms, bags, and bulk quantities for pavers, sandboxes, landscaping, leveling, pool bases, and more.
User GuideBagged sand (optional)
Bulk sand (optional)
Supplier density (optional)
Supplier density overrides the estimated planning density used for weight.
Sand planning guide
Sand Calculator User Guide
Project, shapes, and known area
Project type supplies guidance only. Measure rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, trapezoids, or rings, or enter a Known Area. For irregular ground, split it into simple shapes and calculate each separately.
Quantity, depth, and units
Quantity multiplies the area of identical spaces before depth is applied. Enter the actual planned depth. Switching Imperial and Metric preserves the physical measurements.
Sand type, allowance, and compaction
Sand type and project provide guidance only. Allowance and compaction are explicit percentages of base volume, added independently without hidden or compounded multipliers.
Bagged and bulk purchasing
Bags may be entered by weight or volume and always round up to whole bags. Bulk may be ordered by volume or weight and stays exact unless you provide an increment.
Supplier density and weight
The calculator uses a transparent 2,700 lb/cu yd planning density. Supplier density overrides it for weight only. Moisture, grading, and compaction affect actual loaded weight, so confirm supplier figures and payload limits.
Pricing and comparison
Bag and bulk prices are optional. Comparisons cover material cost only; delivery, taxes, minimum orders, and supplier fees may not be included.
Coverage reference
Coverage is unit volume divided by physical depth. It excludes allowance and compaction because those extras do not change the physical coverage relationship.
Worked example
Imperial: 20 ft x 10 ft at 3 in is 50 cu ft or 1.85 cu yd before extras, about 2.50 US tons at the planning density. Metric: 5 m x 4 m at 50 mm is 1 cu m and covers 20 sq m per cubic meter.
Limitations
This is a planning estimate. Moisture, grading, compaction, installation, supplier quantities, and measurement accuracy can change the final order.
Sand calculator questions
How much sand do I need?
Measure the area, enter depth and quantity, then select allowance and any extra for compaction. The calculator converts required volume into cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, liters, weight, bags, and bulk quantities.
How do I calculate cubic yards of sand?
Multiply total area by depth in consistent units, then divide cubic feet by 27. Allowance and compaction extras are each calculated from base volume and added without compounding.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of sand?
Weight varies with moisture, grading, and compaction. Using the calculator planning density of 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, one cubic yard is about 1.35 US short tons; use supplier density when available.
How many bags of sand do I need?
Choose whether the bag is sold by weight or volume and enter its labeled size. The calculator divides the required weight or volume by that size and rounds up to a whole bag.
How much area does one cubic yard of sand cover?
Coverage depends on depth. One cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at 1 inch, 162 square feet at 2 inches, 108 square feet at 3 inches, or 81 square feet at 4 inches.
Does sand weight vary?
Yes. Moisture, grading, compaction, and supplier material can materially change sand density and loaded weight.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Enter the bedding area and specified compacted depth, then select any explicit allowance or compaction extra. Bedding sand and polymeric joint sand require different calculations; this tool estimates bedding or fill sand, not joint-sand coverage.
Should I buy bags or bulk sand?
Compare quantities, material prices, delivery, supplier minimums, access, and handling. The calculator presents material costs neutrally and does not assume delivery or fees.
Should I add extra for compaction?
Only add a compaction percentage when it is appropriate for the material and installation method. The calculator never selects it automatically, and it adds the percentage to base volume without compounding allowance.
Can I use supplier density?
Yes. Enter supplier density in the available unit and it overrides the transparent planning density for weight only. It never changes area or volume.