Sand Calculator
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Enter your project dimensions, depth, and sand type to calculate how many cubic yards, tons, or 50 lb bags of sand to buy.
1. Measure your area
2. Sand type & depth
1" paver base · 2–4" sandbox or fill
3. Adjust & price (optional)
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How to measure your space
- 1. Paver base: Measure the full patio or walkway area in feet. Standard sand bed depth is 1".
- 2. Sandbox: Measure interior length × width, then decide on depth (4–6" is common for kids' sandboxes).
- 3. Fill sand: Measure length × width × depth of the area to be filled.
- 4. Sand type matters: Paver/leveling sand and all-purpose sand have the same density; play and mason sand are slightly lighter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for a paver base?
The standard sand bedding layer for pavers is 1 inch deep. For a 10×10 ft patio: 10 × 10 × 1 ÷ 324 = 0.31 cubic yards, or about 17 bags of 50 lb sand.
How many 50 lb bags of sand per cubic yard?
There are 54 bags of 50 lb sand in one cubic yard (27 cu ft ÷ 0.5 cu ft per bag = 54 bags). A cubic yard of sand weighs about 2,700 lbs.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 4×4 ft sandbox at 6 inches deep needs 8 cu ft — about 16 bags of 50 lb play sand. Use washed play sand, not construction or masonry sand.
How many cubic yards of sand do I need?
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 324. Add 10% for waste. The Sand Calculator converts to tons and bags automatically.
Formula: Volume (cu yd) = Area × Depth ÷ 324. Tons = Volume × density. 50 lb bags = Volume (cu ft) ÷ 0.50. See our methodology page.