How much sand do I need? Enter your project dimensions to get instant estimates in cubic yards, tons, and bags for sandboxes, paver bases, leveling, and concrete mix.
Accounts for soil settling and compaction loss
10-15% typical for sand spillage and settling
Ready to calculate
Enter your project dimensions
Last updated March 31, 2026 by our expert review team
$32/ton
Fine grain, sandbox safe
$38/ton
For mortar/concrete mix
$42/ton
For paver base
$20/ton
General fill/grading
$25/bag
For paver joints (50lb bag)
Ruth Wairimu
Landscape Architect
Landscape architect with 9+ years of experience, AAK member, IFLA climate activist, and founder of Bloomwell.
See full profileHawkin
Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated March 2026
How we verify our calculators324 sq ft/yd³
Paver base
162 sq ft/yd³
Standard base
54 sq ft/yd³
Deep fill
27 sq ft/yd³
Sandboxes
Screed your 1-inch sand layer using two parallel 1" steel conduit pipes as rails. Drag a straight 2x4 across them for a perfectly flat paver surface.
Use Quikrete Play Sand (#1113) or Sakrete Natural Play Sand for sandboxes. Both are pre-washed, ASTM C33 certified, and low-dust.
Compact sand in 2-inch lifts maximum using a plate compactor. A single thick pour won't compact evenly and settles unevenly within weeks.
For paver projects, sand is only one layer. Use our Paver Base Calculator to estimate the crushed stone base layer underneath.
Need gravel instead of sand for your project? Our Pea Gravel Calculator handles pathways and decorative coverage estimates.
In cold climates, avoid laying polymeric sand after October. It needs 24 hours above 32°F to cure or it washes out with spring rain.
This calculator factors in the actual density of each sand type. Play sand at 1.3 tons per cubic yard is noticeably lighter than polymeric sand at 1.45 tons per cubic yard, and ordering by weight when you should order by volume is one of the most common mistakes. The compaction factor matters too: sand loses 15 to 25% of its volume when compacted, so a 1-inch finished bedding layer requires about 1.2 inches of loose sand. The reverse mode (tons to area) lets you enter what you have and see how much ground it covers.
Formula
Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) = Cubic Feet
Cubic Feet ÷ 27 × Density = Tons needed
Add waste factor for final amount
How much sand do I need?
Multiply length x width x depth (in feet) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10x10 patio at 1-inch depth needs about 0.37 cubic yards. Add 10 to 15% for compaction.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
One cubic yard weighs 2,600 to 3,000 lbs (1.3 to 1.5 tons) dry. The Concrete Network's sand guide notes wet sand can weigh 20 to 30% more, which matters for truck payload limits.
Play sand vs masonry sand?
Play sand is kiln-dried and screened for child safety (ASTM C33). Masonry sand is coarser with angular grains for mortar mixes, too rough for sandboxes.
How deep should a sandbox be?
CPSC recommends 12 inches minimum for fall protection. For basic sandboxes without climbing structures, 8 to 10 inches works.
Polymeric sand for all paver joints?
It works best in joints 1/16" to 1.5" wide. Narrower joints won't fill properly; wider joints may crack. Use gator dust for joints over 1.5".
How deep should sand be under pavers?
1 inch screeded over compacted gravel for patios (ICPI standard). For driveways, use 1 to 1.5 inches over a 6-inch aggregate base.
Bagged or bulk sand?
Bulk costs $20 to $45/ton. Bags run $160 to $240/ton equivalent. Bulk saves 60 to 75% for anything over 0.5 cubic yards.
What about gravel for drainage?
For drainage layers under sand beds, our Stone Calculator estimates crushed stone quantities, and the French Drain Calculator covers full drainage system materials.
12 inches deep per CPSC safety guidelines. At bulk play sand pricing of $32/ton, this is about one-third the cost of buying forty-eight 50-lb bags from a big box store at $5 each ($240). Request delivery to your backyard if possible. Moving 2+ tons by wheelbarrow takes 30+ trips.
1-inch screeded bedding layer with 15% compaction factor. You'll also need about two 50-lb bags of polymeric sand ($50) for the joints. Rent a plate compactor from Home Depot ($85/day). Hand tamping a 240 sq ft patio takes five times longer and won't compact evenly.
1.5-inch bedding layer for vehicular traffic with 20% compaction factor. Driveway pavers require a thicker sand bed and a 6-8 inch compacted aggregate base beneath. Budget an additional $400-600 for the crushed stone base layer. Use our Paver Base Calculator for that estimate.
Wrong sand type for paver joints
Regular sand washes out within months. Use polymeric sand with polymer binders that harden when activated with water.
Not accounting for compaction loss
Sand compresses 15 to 25% under a plate compactor. A finished 1-inch layer requires 1.2 to 1.25 inches of loose sand.
Ordering by volume when supplier sells by weight
Wet sand weighs up to 30% more than dry. Confirm moisture conditions or you may get fewer cubic yards than expected.
Skipping the gravel base under pavers
Sand alone shifts under load. Pavers need 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone beneath the sand bedding layer (ICPI standard).
Spreading sand too thick in one lift
Compactors only work in 2-inch lifts. A 6-inch fill needs three separate passes to avoid voids and uneven settling.
Activating polymeric sand on a damp surface
Even light dew causes premature bonding and white haze that is extremely hard to remove. Install only on completely dry days.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.