Sand Calculator
Enter your project dimensions and desired depth to get an instant sand estimate in cubic yards and tons.
Results
- Cubic yards
- 0.93 yd³
- Cubic feet
- 25.0 ft³
- Weight
- 1.25 tons
Assumed density: 2700 lb/yd³ (All-Purpose Sand)
How it works
Measure your area in feet. A sandbox, paver base, or leveling layer is usually 1–2 inches of sand.
The calculator divides total cubic inches by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then by 27 for cubic yards.
Tons use all-purpose sand's density of ~2,700 lb/yd³.
Reference chart
Sand coverage at common depths (1 cubic yard)
| Depth (in) | Coverage (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 324 |
| 2 | 162 |
| 3 | 108 |
| 4 | 81 |
| 6 | 54 |
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need for a 6×6 ft sandbox, 6 inches deep?
6 × 6 × 0.5 ft = 18 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.67 cu yd. At 2,700 lb/yd³ that's about 1,800 lb of sand, or roughly 0.9 tons.
How deep should a paver sand base be?
The compacted sand bed under pavers should be 1 inch. The crushed gravel sub-base beneath that is typically 4–6 inches.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
All-purpose sand weighs ~2,700 lb/yd³, so one yard needs about 54 × 50 lb bags.