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Sand Calculator

Calculate how much sand you need for sandboxes, paver bases, leveling, and masonry โ€” with weight in tons and bag estimates

Units:
Shape:
10%
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Results

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About This Tool

Sand is used in dozens of construction and landscaping projects โ€” from filling a backyard sandbox to laying a paver patio base to mixing mortar. Each project needs a different type and amount of sand, and under-ordering means a frustrating mid-project trip to the supply yard. This calculator takes your area dimensions, accounts for the sand type (each has a slightly different density), and gives you volume in cubic yards or cubic meters, weight in tons or kilograms, and the number of 50-pound bags you'd need. Choose from play sand, masonry sand, fill sand, polymeric sand, or utility sand. Enter your length, width, and depth โ€” or diameter for circular areas like tree wells โ€” and get an instant, accurate estimate. The waste factor accounts for compaction, spillage, and uneven subgrade.

How to Use

1. Select a project type (Sandbox, Paver Base, etc.) for recommended depth 2. Choose your sand type โ€” each has a different density 3. Toggle between Rectangle and Circle shapes 4. Toggle between Imperial (ft, in) and Metric (m, cm) 5. Enter dimensions: length and width (or diameter) and depth 6. Adjust waste factor if needed (default 10%) 7. See total volume, weight in tons, and bag estimates

Formula

Rectangle: Volume = Length ร— Width ร— Depth Circle: Volume = ฯ€ ร— (Diameter / 2)ยฒ ร— Depth Weight = Volume ร— Sand Density Bags (50 lb) = Total Weight รท 50

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A standard 8ร—8 foot sandbox filled 6 inches deep needs about 0.59 cubic yards or 0.89 tons of play sand. That's roughly 36 bags of 50-pound play sand. A 10ร—10 sandbox at 6 inches needs 0.93 cubic yards or about 56 bags.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Paver base sand (bedding layer) is typically 1 inch deep. For a 10ร—10 foot patio, you need about 0.31 cubic yards or 0.46 tons of masonry sand. After laying pavers, you'll also need polymeric sand for the joints โ€” about 1 bag per 30โ€“50 sq ft depending on joint width.
How much does sand weigh per cubic yard?
Dry sand weighs about 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons) per cubic yard. Wet sand is heavier โ€” up to 3,100 pounds per cubic yard. This calculator uses dry weight values: play sand at 100 lb/ftยณ, masonry sand at 100 lb/ftยณ, and fill sand at 95 lb/ftยณ.
How many bags of sand do I need?
A 50-pound bag of sand contains about 0.5 cubic feet. One cubic yard (27 cu ft) requires about 54 bags. For a small project like a sandbox, you might need 20โ€“60 bags. For paver base or larger projects, buying sand by the ton from a landscape supplier is much more economical.
What is the difference between play sand and masonry sand?
Play sand is washed, screened, and tested to be safe for children โ€” free of dust, silica dust, and contaminants. Masonry sand is a finer-grain sand used for mixing mortar, making concrete, and as a base under pavers. It's not tested for child safety. Use play sand for sandboxes and children's areas, masonry sand for construction.
How deep should sandbox sand be?
The recommended depth for a backyard sandbox is 6โ€“8 inches. Shallower than 6 inches and kids will dig to the bottom immediately. Deeper than 8 inches is unnecessary for play but fine if you have the budget. For playground sandpits, safety standards may require 12 inches of sand as a fall surface under equipment.

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