Updated July 18, 2026
The numbers this calculator uses
| Constant | Value used here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dry sand density | 1.35 tons per cubic yard | Civil Sir sand weight reference |
| Cubic feet per cubic yard | 27 (fixed geometry, not a lookup) | n/a |
This tool assumes dry, loose sand. If your supplier weighs a damp or wet load, expect the scale ticket to run higher than the estimate, sometimes by 10 percent or more, since water adds weight without adding volume.
What actually happens when you hit calculate
Length times width gives area. Multiply by depth (converted from inches to feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Sand is sold by the ton more often than not, so the tool also multiplies yards by the dry-sand density factor above, then by your price per ton for a rough cost.
Sand weight by condition
Moisture is the variable that throws off a ton estimate the most.
| Condition | Approx. weight per ft³ | Per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | 90 to 100 lb | about 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) |
| Damp | about 110 lb | about 3,000 lb (1.5 tons) |
| Wet | about 120 lb | heavier still |
A short glossary for this page
- Bedding sand: the leveling layer under pavers or flagstone, usually coarse and sharp-edged so it locks under pressure instead of shifting.
- Screed: the act of dragging a straightedge across bedding sand to leave a flat, even layer before pavers go down.
- Unit: a regional bulk-sand measure of 100 cubic feet, still used by some yards outside standard cubic-yard pricing.
Reading a contractor's sand quote against this tool
If a landscaper or mason quotes you sand by weight instead of yards, back into the volume by dividing their tonnage by 1.35. That number should land close to what this calculator reports for your footprint and depth. A gap of more than 10 to 15 percent usually means either their scale ticket includes moisture weight, or the crew is planning a deeper bed than you specified, so ask which it is before you approve the order.
Working the numbers by hand
Take a paver patio 20 feet by 10 feet with a 2 inch sand bed. Convert depth to feet: 2 ÷ 12 = 0.167 ft. Then:
- Cubic feet: 20 × 10 × 0.167 = about 33.3 ft³
- Cubic yards: 33.3 ÷ 27 = about 1.23 yd³
- Tons (dry): 1.23 × 1.35 = about 1.67 tons
At $30 a ton, material runs about $50. Order 10 to 15 percent extra for screeding loss and the sand that vanishes into the base below it. Halve the depth for a 1 inch bedding layer and the volume halves with it.
Field notes
Match the sand to the job: sharp concrete sand for bedding, fine masonry sand for mortar, washed and rounded play sand for anything kids touch. Buy bulk once you clear a yard or two, since bagged sand runs far more per ton than a delivered load. Keep the bedding layer thin, close to an inch, because a thick bed lets pavers rock underfoot instead of locking in place.
Sources: Civil Sir sand weight, Omni aggregate reference.
Other tools on this site
Working a paver base or a broader yard project, three other calculators pick up where this one leaves off: the gravel calculator for the base layer underneath the sand, the cubic yard calculator for a plain volume conversion without the tonnage math, and the topsoil calculator for the planting side of the same yard.
Questions people ask about this tool
Why does halving the depth also halve the sand I need?
Because volume scales directly with depth once the footprint is fixed. Multiply area in square feet by depth in feet (inches divided by 12) for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then by 1.35 for tons. Cut the depth in half with the same footprint and every one of those numbers is cut in half too.
How much area will 50 lbs of sand cover?
A 50 lb bag of sand covers roughly 10 to 12 square feet at 1 inch deep, or about 5 to 6 square feet at 2 inches deep. Coverage varies with sand density, so check the bag label for the manufacturer figure.
How far does 1 ton of sand cover?
One ton of sand is about 0.74 cubic yards or 20 cubic feet. At 1 inch deep that covers roughly 240 square feet; at 2 inches deep about 120 square feet. Use the calculator for your specific depth.
How do I calculate 1 unit of sand?
One unit of sand equals 100 cubic feet in some regional markets. Divide 100 by 27 to convert to cubic yards (about 3.7 yards). For most US projects, suppliers quote by the cubic yard or the ton.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Coarse, sharp concrete sand for the bedding layer, kept to about 1 inch. Fine masonry or play sand is too soft and lets pavers shift over time.