Sand Calculator
Sand calculator for sandboxes, paver bases and fills. Enter area and depth to get cubic yards, tons, bags and cost, in imperial or metric.
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How the Sand Calculator Formula Works
Sand is sold by the cubic yard, the ton or the bag, so the job is to turn an area and a depth into each. First find the area of the space. Multiply by the depth in feet, which is the depth in inches divided by 12, to get cubic feet, and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, the usual bulk unit.
To get weight, multiply the volume by the density. Dry sand weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard and wet sand about 1.5 to 1.7, so the calculator starts at 100 pounds per cubic foot, 1.35 tons per cubic yard, and lets you change it. Divide pounds by 2,000 for short tons.
For bagged sand, the calculator divides the weight, with your allowance, by the bag weight, or the volume by the bag volume, and rounds up to whole bags. An allowance for settling and waste raises the order, and the price you enter per cubic yard or per ton gives a material cost. In metric the depth is in centimetres and the density in kilograms per cubic metre.
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) / 12 / 27; tons = cubic feet × density (lb per cubic foot) / 2000; bags = pounds / bag weight- areasq ft or m2100Length times width, a circle, or a known area.
- depthin or cmThe depth of the sand layer.
- densitylb/ft3 or kg/m3Weight of the sand per unit volume; 100 lb/ft3 by default.
- allowance%10Extra for settling, compaction and waste.
- bag sizelb, ft3 or LBag weight or volume, to count whole bags.
- + 1 more input below
- area
- sq ft or m2
- Length times width, a circle, or a known area.
- depth
- in or cm
- The depth of the sand layer.
- density
- lb/ft3 or kg/m3
- Weight of the sand per unit volume; 100 lb/ft3 by default.
- allowance
- %
- Extra for settling, compaction and waste.
- bag size
- lb, ft3 or L
- Bag weight or volume, to count whole bags.
- price
- $ per yd3, m3 or ton
- Optional, to estimate the material cost.
Using the Sand Calculator
Enter units
Choose from Feet, inches and pounds, Metres, centimetres and kilograms.
Enter area is a
Choose from Rectangle (length x width), Circle (diameter), Known area.
Enter length (feet or metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter width (feet or metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter diameter (feet or metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter area (square feet or square metres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter depth (inches or centimetres)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter density (lb per cubic foot)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter density (kg per cubic metre)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter extra for settling and waste (%)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate.
Enter bag weight (pounds)
Choose from 40 lb, 50 lb, 60 lb, 80 lb.
Enter bag volume (cubic feet)
Choose from 0.5 cubic feet, 0.75 cubic feet, 1 cubic foot, 1.5 cubic feet.
Enter bag volume (litres)
Choose from 10 litres, 20 litres, 25 litres, 50 litres.
Enter price is per
Choose from Cubic yard or cubic metre, Ton or tonne.
Enter price ($, optional)
Type the figure you already have, then press Calculate. This one is optional.
Read the result
Press Calculate to update the result. Until you do, the last result is dimmed and marked as out of date, so you always know which numbers belong to the values in the boxes.
A Real Worked Example
A sand area is 10 feet by 10 feet and 4 inches deep. The volume is 100 × 4 / 12 = 33.33 cubic feet, which is 1.23 cubic yards.
At 100 pounds per cubic foot it weighs 3,333 pounds, 1.67 tons. With 10 percent extra the order is 1.36 cubic yards, costing about 54.32 dollars at 40 dollars a yard. It takes 74 bags of 50 pounds, or 74 bags of 0.5 cubic feet.
Metric: 4 m x 3 m at 10 cm
Switch to metric and enter 4 metres by 3 metres, 10 cm deep, at 1,600 kilograms per cubic metre. The area is 12 square metres, the volume is 1.2 cubic metres and the weight is 1.92 tonnes.
With 10 percent extra the order is 1.32 cubic metres. At 35 dollars a cubic metre that is 46.20 dollars, and it takes 53 bags of 25 litres.
A round play area, 12 ft across and 9 in deep
Choose the circle option with a diameter of 12 feet. The area is 113.1 square feet and, at 9 inches deep, the volume is 84.8 cubic feet, or 3.14 cubic yards.
The weight is 4.24 tons. With no extra it takes 142 bags of 60 pounds. Nine inches is the minimum compressed depth the CPSC handbook lists for sand.
1 inch over 100 sq ft, priced by the ton
Choose the known area option with 100 square feet at 1 inch, no allowance, and price per ton at 30 dollars. The volume is 8.33 cubic feet, or 0.31 cubic yards.
The weight is 0.42 tons, so one ton covers 240 square feet at this depth. The sand costs about 12.50 dollars.
An 8 x 8 ft sandbox, 6 inches deep
An 8 by 8 foot sandbox filled to 6 inches holds 32 cubic feet, 1.19 cubic yards, with no allowance. It weighs 1.6 tons.
That is 32 bags of 1 cubic foot, or 54 bags of 60 pounds. The sand costs about 47.41 dollars at 40 dollars a yard.
1,000 sq ft at 2 inches of heavier sand
Choose the known area option with 1,000 square feet, 2 inches deep and 115 pounds per cubic foot, a heavier damp sand, with 5 percent extra, priced at 28 dollars a ton.
The volume is 6.17 cubic yards, the weight is 9.58 tons and the order is 6.48 cubic yards. The cost is about 281.75 dollars.
What Else to Know
How the Sand Quantity Is Worked Out
The calculator works out the area, multiplies by the depth to get volume, and converts the volume into the units sand is sold in: cubic yards, tons and bags. It handles a rectangle, a circle or an area you already know, in imperial or metric.
Bulk sand is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton. Bagged sand is sold by weight, such as 50 or 60 pounds, or by the cubic foot, so the calculator gives bags both ways.
Add an allowance for compaction and waste, and a price, and you also get the order and the cost.
Sand Weight and Density
Inch Calculator gives dry sand as 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, 2,600 to 3,000 pounds, and wet sand as 1.5 to 1.7 tons, 3,000 to 3,400 pounds. Wet sand is heavier because water fills the spaces between grains.
The calculator starts at 100 pounds per cubic foot, 2,700 pounds and 1.35 tons per cubic yard, which sits in the dry range. Raise it if the sand is damp. The weight table lists the figures in pounds and tons.
For a price quoted by the ton, the density matters. For a price per cubic yard it does not change the cost.
How Deep Should the Sand Be?
The depth depends on the job, and the calculator only turns your chosen depth into a quantity. For playgrounds, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook lists a minimum compressed depth of 9 inches of sand, protecting to a fall height of 5 feet.
The handbook also says loose-fill surfacing compresses, so the initial fill should be deeper than the minimum. Its example is that a playground needing 9 inches of wood chips should start at 12 inches. Frequent maintenance keeps the level above the minimum.
For other uses, such as a sandbox, a paver base or a volleyball court, follow the guidance for your project and enter the depth you plan.
Measuring the Area
For a rectangle, multiply length by width. For a circle, enter the diameter and the calculator applies pi / 4 x diameter squared. For anything irregular, split it into rectangles, circles and triangles, add the areas and use the known area option.
Measure in feet for imperial and metres for metric, and keep the depth in inches or centimetres. Mixing the units is the most common error. A 10 × 10 foot area is 100 square feet, which at 4 inches is 1.23 cubic yards.
If your plan already gives an area, enter it directly.
Bags of Sand
Bagged sand is sold by weight or by volume. The calculator counts both. At 100 pounds per cubic foot, a 50 pound bag is about 0.5 cubic feet, and a 60 pound bag is 0.6.
One cubic yard is 54 bags of 50 pounds or 45 of 60 pounds. Half a yard is 13.5 cubic feet, 27 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. The bag table lists the counts and the coverage of each bag at 1 inch.
For anything over a cubic yard or so, bulk delivery is often easier, but compare prices for your area.
Compaction, Allowance and Ordering
Sand settles and packs down once it is spread, raked or wetted, so the compacted depth is less than the loose depth. The allowance box adds a percentage for this and for waste. The default is a placeholder, not a rule.
Your supplier can advise on load sizes. Check the weight of a load against the payload of the vehicle that will carry it: two cubic yards of dry sand is about 2.7 tons.
The price box turns the order into a cost, per cubic yard or per ton.
Limits of the Estimate
The estimate assumes a flat area, a uniform depth and one density. It does not include delivery, spreading, edging or a base layer, and it does not know the right depth or the right kind of sand for your project.
For related materials, see the topsoil calculator, the gravel calculator and the asphalt calculator.
Reference Tables
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dry sand | Sand with little moisture; about 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard |
| Wet sand | Sand holding water; about 1.5 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard |
| Compaction | The loss of depth as sand is packed down |
| Cubic yard | 27 cubic feet, the usual bulk unit |
| Short ton | 2,000 pounds |
| Bagged sand | Sold by weight, such as 50 or 60 lb, or by the cubic foot |
| Condition | Pounds per cubic yard | Tons per cubic yard | Pounds per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry, low | 2,600 | 1.30 | 96.3 |
| Dry, high | 3,000 | 1.50 | 111.1 |
| Wet, low | 3,000 | 1.50 | 111.1 |
| Wet, high | 3,400 | 1.70 | 125.9 |
| Calculator default | 2,700 | 1.35 | 100.0 |
| Depth | Sq ft per ton | Sq ft per cubic yard | Cubic yards per 100 sq ft | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 in | 480 | 648 | 0.154 | 0.208 |
| 1 in | 240 | 324 | 0.309 | 0.417 |
| 2 in | 120 | 162 | 0.617 | 0.833 |
| 3 in | 80 | 108 | 0.926 | 1.250 |
| 4 in | 60 | 81 | 1.235 | 1.667 |
| 6 in | 40 | 54 | 1.852 | 2.500 |
| 9 in | 27 | 36 | 2.778 | 3.750 |
| 12 in | 20 | 27 | 3.704 | 5.000 |
| Area (sq ft) | 1 inch | 2 inches | 4 inches | 6 inches | 9 inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 0.08 | 0.15 | 0.31 | 0.46 | 0.69 |
| 50 | 0.15 | 0.31 | 0.62 | 0.93 | 1.39 |
| 100 | 0.31 | 0.62 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.78 |
| 200 | 0.62 | 1.23 | 2.47 | 3.70 | 5.56 |
| 400 | 1.23 | 2.47 | 4.94 | 7.41 | 11.11 |
| 800 | 2.47 | 4.94 | 9.88 | 14.81 | 22.22 |
| 1,000 | 3.09 | 6.17 | 12.35 | 18.52 | 27.78 |
| 2,000 | 6.17 | 12.35 | 24.69 | 37.04 | 55.56 |
| Bag | Cubic feet per bag | Bags per cubic yard | Sq ft per bag at 1 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb | 0.40 | 67.5 | 4.8 |
| 50 lb | 0.50 | 54.0 | 6.0 |
| 60 lb | 0.60 | 45.0 | 7.2 |
| 80 lb | 0.80 | 33.8 | 9.6 |
| 0.5 cu ft bag | 0.50 | 54.0 | 6.0 |
| 1 cu ft bag | 1.00 | 27.0 | 12.0 |
| Area (sq ft) | 1 inch | 2 inches | 4 inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 25 | 5 | 9 | 17 |
| 50 | 9 | 17 | 34 |
| 100 | 17 | 34 | 67 |
| 200 | 34 | 67 | 134 |
| 400 | 67 | 134 | 267 |
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Minimum compressed depth of sand | 9 inches |
| Protects to a fall height of | 5 feet |
| Initial fill when 9 inches is needed | 12 inches, to allow for compaction (the handbook's example for wood chips) |
| Maintenance | Loose-fill surfacing needs frequent maintenance so the level never drops below the minimum |
| Cubic yards | $25 | $40 | $55 | $70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | $12.50 | $20.00 | $27.50 | $35.00 |
| 1 | $25.00 | $40.00 | $55.00 | $70.00 |
| 2 | $50.00 | $80.00 | $110.00 | $140.00 |
| 3 | $75.00 | $120.00 | $165.00 | $210.00 |
| 5 | $125.00 | $200.00 | $275.00 | $350.00 |
| 10 | $250.00 | $400.00 | $550.00 | $700.00 |
| 20 | $500.00 | $800.00 | $1,100.00 | $1,400.00 |
| From | To | Multiply by |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 0.037037 (divide by 27) |
| Cubic yards | Cubic metres | 0.764555 |
| Short tons | Metric tonnes | 0.907185 |
| Pounds | Kilograms | 0.45359237 |
| US gallons | Cubic feet | 0.133681 |
| Inches | Centimetres | 2.54 |
| Mistake | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using dry weight for wet sand | Weight off by up to 25 percent | Use a higher density for damp sand |
| Entering the compacted depth only | Ends up short | Add an allowance for compaction |
| Mixing inches and feet | Off by a factor of 12 | Lengths in feet, depth in inches |
| Confusing bag weight with bag volume | Wrong number of bags | Check the bag label |
| Ignoring truck limits | Overloaded vehicle | Check the vehicle's payload |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sand Calculator
How do you calculate how much sand you need?
Multiply the area by the depth to get volume, then by the density for weight. A 10 × 10 ft area 4 inches deep is 33.33 cubic feet, which is 1.235 cubic yards or 1.67 tons at 100 pounds per cubic foot. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
What is the sand calculation formula?
Cubic yards = length (ft) x width (ft) x depth (in) / 12 / 27. Tons = cubic feet x density (lb per cubic foot) / 2,000. For metric, cubic metres = area x depth in metres, and tonnes = cubic metres x density in kg per cubic metre / 1,000. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much sand do I need for 100 sq ft?
At 1 inch deep you need 0.309 cubic yards (0.42 tons), at 2 inches 0.617 yards (0.83 tons) and at 4 inches 1.235 yards (1.67 tons), using 100 pounds per cubic foot. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How far does 1 ton of sand cover?
At 100 pounds per cubic foot, one ton covers about 240 square feet at 1 inch deep, 120 at 2 inches and 60 at 4 inches. Heavier, wetter sand covers less. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much area will 50 lbs of sand cover?
A 50 pound bag is about 0.50 cubic feet at 100 pounds per cubic foot. That covers 6.0 square feet at 1 inch deep, 3.0 at 2 inches and 1.5 at 4 inches. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How many cubic feet is a 60 lb bag of sand?
About 0.60 cubic feet at 100 pounds per cubic foot. Using the 90 to 111 pounds per cubic foot range from 2,600 to 3,000 pounds a yard dry, it is 0.54 to 0.62 cubic feet. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How many bags of sand is half a yard?
Half a cubic yard is 13.5 cubic feet. That is 27 bags of 0.5 cubic feet, or 27 bags of 50 pounds, or 22.5 bags of 60 pounds at 100 pounds per cubic foot. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How many bags of sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply the area by the depth, then divide by the bag volume. An 8 × 8 ft sandbox filled 6 inches deep is 32 cubic feet, which is 64 bags of 50 pounds or 54 of 60 pounds, with no allowance. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How deep should playground sand be?
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook lists a minimum compressed depth of 9 inches of sand, protecting to a fall height of 5 feet. It advises a deeper initial fill to allow for compaction, and frequent maintenance. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 2,600 to 3,000 pounds per cubic yard, 1.3 to 1.5 tons, and wet sand about 3,000 to 3,400 pounds, 1.5 to 1.7 tons, according to Inch Calculator. The calculator's default of 100 lb per cubic foot is 2,700 pounds. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Is 1 yard of sand 1 ton?
No. A cubic yard of sand weighs more than a ton, about 1.3 to 1.5 tons when dry and 1.5 to 1.7 tons when wet. A ton of sand is therefore about 0.67 to 0.77 cubic yards of dry sand. Enter your density in the calculator. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How many wheelbarrows is 1 yard of sand?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. If your wheelbarrow holds 6 cubic feet, that is 4.5 loads, and for 4 cubic feet it is 6.8. Check your wheelbarrow's capacity, since sizes vary. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Will a 50lb bag of sand fill a 5 gallon bucket?
A 5 US gallon bucket holds 0.67 cubic feet, so it holds about 67 pounds of sand at 100 pounds per cubic foot. A 50 pound bag is about 0.5 cubic feet and fits with room to spare. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Will 2 yards of sand fit in a pickup truck?
Two cubic yards of dry sand weighs about 5,400 pounds, 2.70 tons, which can exceed a pickup's payload even when the bed holds the volume. Check your vehicle's rated payload, not just the bed size. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much sand do I need for a paver base?
Enter the area and the depth you plan to spread. For example, 200 square feet at 1 inch deep is 0.62 cubic yards or 0.83 tons. The right depth depends on the paver system, so follow the manufacturer's installation guidance. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much sand for a volleyball court or beach area?
Use the area and the depth for your design. A 30 × 60 ft court filled 12 inches deep is 1,800 cubic feet, 66.7 cubic yards or 90 tons. Check any depth standard that applies to your use. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much extra sand should I order?
Add an allowance for settling, compaction and waste, which the calculator lets you set. Sand packs down after it is spread or wetted, so the compacted depth is less than the loose depth. A supplier can advise on load sizes and rounding. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How do I calculate sand for a circle?
Choose the circle option and enter the diameter. A 12 ft circle is 113.1 square feet, so at 9 inches deep it needs 3.14 cubic yards, or 4.24 tons. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How do I calculate sand in metric?
Choose metric, enter the lengths in metres, the depth in centimetres and the density in kilograms per cubic metre. A 4 × 3 m area at 10 cm deep is 1.2 cubic metres, which at 1,600 kg per cubic metre weighs 1.92 tonnes. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How much does a dump truck of sand cost?
It depends on the supplier, the sand, the load and delivery. Multiply the cubic yards or tons by the price you are quoted, which the calculator does when you enter a price. Ask for the price per ton, per yard and the delivery charge. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
What is the difference between dry and wet sand weight?
Wet sand is heavier because the spaces between grains hold water. Inch Calculator gives 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard for dry sand and 1.5 to 1.7 tons for wet sand. Raise the density in the calculator if your sand is damp. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
Can I use this for pavers, pools or aquariums?
Yes, for the quantity. The calculator needs only an area, a depth and a density. It does not know the right depth for a particular use, so follow the guidance for your project, such as the paver maker's instructions or the standard for the playground. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
How do I use this sand calculator?
Choose imperial or metric, pick the shape, enter the dimensions and depth, and check the density. Set an allowance, a bag size and a price if you want bags and cost. The results show cubic yards, tons, bags by volume and by weight, and cost. Enter your own dimensions, depth and density in the calculator for an exact answer in cubic yards, tons and bags.
References
- [1] Inch Calculator. “Sand calculator.” Inch Calculator. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- [2] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Public Playground Safety Handbook, Table 2: Minimum compressed loose-fill surfacing depths.” CPSC Publication 325. Accessed 2026-10-06.
- [3] Wikipedia contributors. “Gallon.” Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-06.
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