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Free estimator
Sand Calculator
Calculate the sand you need for paver bedding, sandboxes, and leveling. Enter the area and depth, and get cubic yards plus an approximate weight in tons.
Sand Calculator
How would you like to estimate?
Choose the method that works best for your project
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Trace from Satellite
Draw shapes on aerial view of your property
Manual Dimensions
Enter length and width measurements directly
All estimates are approximate and should be verified before purchase.
How Deep to Spread Sand
- Paver and flagstone bedding layer
- 1 inch
- Leveling under pools and sheds
- 2 inches
- Sandboxes
- 6 to 12 inches
- Volleyball and play areas
- 12 inches or more
What One Yard of Sand Covers
- 1 inch deep
- about 324 sq ft per cubic yard
- 2 inches deep
- about 162 sq ft per cubic yard
- 6 inches deep
- about 54 sq ft per cubic yard
- 12 inches deep
- about 27 sq ft per cubic yard
- Weight
- about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, heavier when wet
Getting the Sand Estimate Right
Sand is heavy
Sand runs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard dry and more when wet, so a few yards is a real load. Plan where the truck will dump it, because moving sand across a yard by wheelbarrow is slow work.
Pick the right sand
Concrete sand is coarse and drains well, which suits paver bedding. Mason sand is finer and softer, which suits sandboxes and mortar. Play sand is washed and screened for children's play areas.
Sand Calculator Questions
How much sand do I need under pavers?
About 1 inch of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base. At 1 inch deep, one cubic yard covers about 324 square feet.
How many tons is a yard of sand?
About 1.35 tons when dry. Wet sand can weigh noticeably more.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply length by width by depth in feet and divide by 27. A 6 by 6 foot sandbox filled 1 foot deep needs about 1.3 cubic yards.