How Many Bags of Sand in a Cubic Yard?

One cubic yard of sand contains 54 bags of 50 lb sand or 36 bags of 80 lb sand. Here's the full conversion table and everything you need to buy the right amount.

Quick answer

Bag size	Bags per cubic yard
50 lb bag	54 bags
60 lb bag	45 bags
80 lb bag	36 bags

1 cubic yard of sand ≈ 2,700 lbs ≈ 1.35 tons

How this works

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet 1 bag of 50 lb sand ≈ 0.5 cubic feet 27 ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags

Bags needed by project size

Assuming 50 lb bags (0.5 cu ft each):

Area	Depth	Cubic yards	50-lb bags
10×10 ft	1”	0.31	17
10×10 ft	2”	0.62	33
10×10 ft	4”	1.23	67
20×20 ft	1”	1.23	67
20×20 ft	2”	2.47	133
100 lin ft paver base (1”)	1”	0.31	17

Bags vs. bulk sand: when to switch

Amount needed	Best to buy
Under 0.25 cu yd (13 bags)	Bags — convenient, no minimum order
0.25–0.75 cu yd	Either — compare price
Over 0.75 cu yd	Bulk delivery usually saves money

Average pricing:

50 lb bag: $5–$9 at hardware stores
Bulk washed sand: $25–$45 per cubic yard delivered

At 54 bags × $7 = $378 vs. bulk at $45/cu yd — bulk is far cheaper for large projects.

Sand types and weights

Sand type	Lbs per cubic yard
Concrete / all-purpose sand	2,700 lbs
Mason sand	2,700 lbs
Play sand	2,500 lbs
Fill sand (compacted)	3,000 lbs

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?

There are 54 bags of 50 lb sand in one cubic yard, or 36 bags of 80 lb sand. A cubic yard of sand weighs approximately 2,700 lbs (about 1.35 tons).

How many cubic feet are in a bag of sand?

A 50 lb bag of sand is about 0.5 cubic feet. An 80 lb bag is about 0.6 cubic feet. A cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.

How much does a bag of sand weigh?

Sand bags are sold in 50 lb, 60 lb, and 80 lb sizes at most hardware stores. A 50 lb bag covers about 0.5 cubic feet, perfect for small paver and joint projects.

When should I buy bulk sand vs bags?

Buy bags for less than 0.5 cubic yards (27 bags). For more than that, bulk delivery from a supplier is usually cheaper per cubic yard. Bulk also saves time and packaging waste.

How many bags of sand do I need for a 10×10 area?

For a 10×10 ft area at 1 inch deep, you need 8.3 cubic feet = about 17 bags (50 lb). At 2 inches deep, double it to 34 bags. Use the Sand Calculator for any depth.