Sand Calculator
Delivered tons and cubic yards of sand. Density is loose and dry — damp sand weighs 10–15% more, so if the pile is wet, order the ton figure and expect it to cover slightly less.
Order 1.75 t — yards sell sand by the ton or ½ ton; most have a 1-ton minimum.
- Area
- 200 ft²
- Volume (33.3 ft³)
- 1.23 yd³
- Net weight @ 1.35 t/yd³
- 3,333 lb · 1.67 t
- Waste / settling 5%
- + 0.08 t
- Order quantity
- 1.75 tons
- Truckloads
- 1 × tri-axle dump (≈20 t)
- Metric
- 0.94 m³ · 1.59 tonnes
- 50 lb bag (0.5 ft³)
- 70 bags
- Materials + delivery$25–$60 / ton · Sep 2026
- $129 – $190
- Installed (with labor)typ. $199
- $155 – $260
Quantities follow the ticket. Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you; they never change a number.
What will this sand job cost?
See the installed price range for these quantities and get up to 3 quotes from local contractors. Free, no obligation.
Common area sizes, answered
- How Much Sand for a 10×10 Area?100 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 10×12 Area?120 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 12×12 Area?144 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 12×16 Area?192 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 15×15 Area?225 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 16×20 Area?320 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 18×18 Area?324 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 20×20 Area?400 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 24×24 Area?576 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 20×30 Area?600 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 30×30 Area?900 ft²
- How Much Sand for a 40×40 Area?1600 ft²
How to calculate sand by hand
Tons = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.35 t/yd³
Worked example
- Area: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 ft².
- Volume: 200 ft² × (2 in ÷ 12) = 33.3 ft³ = 1.23 yd³.
- Weight: 1.23 yd³ × 1.35 t/yd³ = 1.67 tons.
- Waste 5%: 1.67 × 1.05 = 1.75 tons → order 1.75 tons.
- Bagged: 35 ft³ ÷ 0.5 ft³ = 70 × 50 lb bags.
- 1 ton of sand at 1″ deep
- ≈ 240 ft²
- 1 ton of sand at 2″ deep
- ≈ 120 ft²
- 1 yd³ of dry sand
- ≈ 2,700 lb · 1.35 t
- 50 lb bag
- ≈ 0.5 ft³
Questions crews ask
How many tons of sand do I need?
Length × width in feet × depth in inches ÷ 324 gives cubic yards; multiply by 1.35 for tons of dry sand (1.4 for coarse concrete sand). A 20 × 10 ft area at 2″ is 1.23 yd³ or about 1.7 tons.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry loose sand is 2,600–2,800 lb per cubic yard — about 1.35 tons. Wet sand can reach 3,000–3,200 lb. Quarries sell by the ton, so a damp pile gives you fewer cubic feet per ton.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
A 1-inch bedding layer of coarse concrete sand over a compacted stone base. Never bed pavers deeper than 1½″ — thick sand shifts. For 200 ft² that is 0.6 yd³, about 0.9 tons.
How much sand goes under an above-ground pool?
A 2-inch levelled layer of masonry sand. A 24 ft round pool (452 ft²) needs 75 ft³ = 2.8 yd³, about 3.75 tons. Compact it and check level before the liner goes in.
What is the difference between masonry sand and concrete sand?
Masonry sand is fine and uniform for mortar, play areas and pool bases. Concrete sand is coarser and sharper, which is why it is specified for paver bedding and concrete mixing — it locks in place and drains.