Sand calculator
Cubic yards and tons of sand for paver bedding, backfill, sandboxes or leveling.
Calculator
Detailed breakdown
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How to use this calculator
Measure
Measure length and width in feet, then set your depth in inches — one inch is standard for paver bedding.
Calculate
Once you hit calculate, results update as you type. Change any number to compare options instantly.
Order
Print the estimate and take it to your supplier. Quantities are rounded up so you don't come up short.
Sand quantities for bedding, fill and play areas
Sand is priced by the cubic yard or by the ton, and at roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard those two units are close but not interchangeable — a yard and a ton of sand differ by about a third. Order 10 tons when you meant 10 yards and you'll be 2.6 yards short. Always confirm which unit the quote is in; this calculator gives you both.
The depth you need depends entirely on the job. Paver bedding is one inch — and only one inch, because a thicker bed lets pavers settle unevenly no matter how well you compact it. Backfill and leveling vary with the void you are filling. A sandbox is typically eight to twelve inches so children can actually dig.
Sand type matters as much as quantity. Concrete sand (coarse, angular) is the correct bedding under pavers because it locks together and drains. Mason sand is finer and used in mortar. Play sand is washed and screened for safety. They are not interchangeable, and using mason sand as bedding is a common cause of patios that settle.
Sand holds a lot of water, and a wet load of mason sand can run 15 percent over its dry weight. If you're close to a price break, order by cubic yards rather than tons and let the yard do the conversion with their actual material.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand for a paver patio?
One inch of bedding sand, no more. For a 200 square foot patio that is about 0.62 cubic yards. A thicker bed causes pavers to settle unevenly.
How many tons is a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.35 tons for dry sand. Wet sand is heavier, which is one reason ordering by volume is often more predictable.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Concrete sand — coarse and angular, so it interlocks and drains. Mason sand and play sand are too fine and will let pavers shift.
How much sand for a sandbox?
Most sandboxes use 8 to 12 inches. A 4 by 4 foot box at 10 inches deep needs about 13 cubic feet, or roughly half a cubic yard.
Sources
Formulas and material assumptions on this page follow published industry guidance: