Sand Calculator

Why Sand Estimates Need to Be Accurate

This free sand calculator solves a problem that trips up most homeowners: sand is sold by both weight and volume, and confusing the two causes ordering errors of 30% or more. A landscape yard might quote you a price per ton while the bags at the home center are priced per cubic foot — and because different sand types have different densities, a "ton" of polymeric sand fills a noticeably different volume than a ton of play sand. Order the wrong amount and you are either making a second trip or storing a leftover pile you will never use.

Density is the key variable. Play sand and leveling sand run about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, paver base sits closer to 1.4 tons, and compacted polymeric sand can reach 1.5 tons. This calculator applies the correct density for the sand type you select, so the tonnage and bag count it returns actually match what shows up on the delivery ticket. For the gravel layer that goes beneath bedding sand, see the gravel calculator, and to plan a complete paver job in one place use the paver calculator. If your project is a poured pad rather than pavers, the concrete slab calculator handles bag counts and reinforcement.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter your area. Use the Length × Width tab for a rectangular space, or switch to Area and type the total square footage for irregular shapes. Break curved or L-shaped areas into rectangles and add them together.
2. Set the depth. Drag the slider to your application depth — 1 inch for paver bedding, up to 4 inches for a sand base layer, or 1/4 inch for polymeric joint filling. The depth guide below lists typical values by sand type.
3. Select the sand type. Choosing play sand, leveling sand, paver base, or polymeric tells the calculator which density to use, so the weight and bag count come out right for your specific material.

Results update instantly: cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bag count. Enter a price per ton to see your estimated material cost and compare bulk delivery against bagged retail.

How to Calculate Sand by Hand

If you want to verify the numbers without a device:

1. Measure your area in square feet. For a rectangle, multiply length by width. For irregular areas, split into rectangles, calculate each, and add the results.
2. Determine your depth in inches based on the application — 1 inch for paver bedding, 4 inches for a base layer, 1/4 inch for polymeric joints.
3. Convert to cubic feet: area × (depth ÷ 12) = cubic feet. Example: 200 sq ft at 1 inch = 200 × (1 ÷ 12) = 16.7 cubic feet.
4. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards. 16.7 ÷ 27 = 0.62 cubic yards.
5. Multiply by density to estimate weight in tons — about 1.35 tons per cubic yard for most sand, varying by type. 0.62 × 1.35 = 0.84 tons.
6. Add 10% for waste and settling to account for sand that compacts under the screed and material lost during spreading.

Sand Types Compared

Common Sand Mistakes

Using play sand as a paver base. Play sand is washed and graded to be fine and rounded — perfect for a sandbox, wrong for anything load-bearing. Its smooth grains will not lock together under compaction, so pavers set on play sand rock and settle within a season. Always use coarse concrete or manufactured sand for bedding.

Not compacting the sand base. Sand poured loose and left uncompacted will continue to settle under foot traffic, creating dips and high spots across your patio. Compact each layer with a plate compactor before setting pavers, and screed the bedding sand to a consistent 1-inch depth rather than guessing by eye.

Applying polymeric sand too deep. Polymeric sand is a joint filler only — meant for the 1/4 to 3/8 inch gaps between pavers, not as a bedding or base layer. Used too deep it can crack, haze the paver surface, or fail to cure properly. Sweep it into joints, remove the excess from paver faces, then mist to activate the binder.

Ordering by volume when the supplier sells by weight. Many bulk yards quote sand by the ton, not the cubic yard, and the conversion depends on the sand's density and moisture. Calculate both numbers, confirm which unit your supplier uses, and watch for wet sand — it weighs more, so a ton of damp sand fills less volume than you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sand do I need for a paver patio?

Use 1 inch of coarse bedding sand as the screed layer under pavers. For a 200 square foot patio, that is about 0.62 cubic yards or 0.84 tons. You also need a 4-inch compacted gravel base beneath the sand. Add 10% for waste and settling when ordering.

What type of sand goes under pavers?

Use coarse concrete sand (also called bedding or leveling sand) for the 1-inch screed layer directly under pavers. Its angular grains lock together when compacted and resist shifting. Never use fine play sand under pavers — it is too round and smooth, so pavers will rock and settle unevenly.

How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?

A cubic yard of dry sand weighs roughly 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons), though this varies by type and moisture. Paver base runs about 1.4 tons per yard and compacted or wet sand can reach 1.5 tons. Suppliers often sell bulk sand by the ton, so confirm the unit before ordering.

What is polymeric sand used for?

Polymeric sand is a joint filler for the gaps between set pavers — not a base or leveling material. It contains a polymer binder that hardens when misted with water, locking pavers in place, blocking weeds, and deterring ants. It is swept into joints 1/4 to 3/8 inch deep, never used as a bedding layer.

Can I use play sand for landscaping?

Play sand works for sandboxes, traction, and filling small voids, but it is the wrong choice for structural jobs like paver bedding or base layers. Its fine, rounded grains do not compact or lock together, so anything built on it will shift. Use coarse concrete sand or paver base for load-bearing landscaping.