Sand Calculator
Calculate how much sand you need for sandboxes, paver base, pool leveling, or fill projects. Get results in cubic yards, tons, and bags.
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Enter Your Measurements
6-12 inches deep for safe play
ft
ft
Quick:
in
Fine, washed sand for sandboxes. Safe for kids. · $40-55/yard typical
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Results
1.85
cubic yards
Area:100 sq ft
Volume (cu ft):50 cu ft
Volume (cu yd):1.85 cu yd
Weight:4,630 lbs
Tons:2.31 tons
Dry weight · wet sand weighs 15-20% more
Bags (50 lb):93 bags
Bags (40 lb):116 bags
Standard bags at Home Depot / Lowes
A pickup truck holds ~30-40 bags (1,500-2,000 lbs). Verify with your vehicle's payload capacity.
2.31 tons is heavy — consider bulk delivery ($50-150 per load). Prices vary by location, verify with your supplier.
Calculation Steps
Area: 10 × 10 ft= 100 sq ft
Depth: 6 in= 0.50 ft
Volume: 100 × 0.50= 50 cu ft
Cubic Yards: 50 ÷ 27= 1.85 cu yd
Weight: 1.85 × density= 4,630 lbs
Bags (50 lb): 4,630 ÷ 50= 93 bags
Privacy First - All calculations in your browser Expert-verified formula
How to Use This Calculator
- Select your project type — Choose sandbox, paver base, pool base, or fill. This sets the recommended depth and sand type.
- Choose the area shape — Rectangle for most projects, circle for round pools or tree rings.
- Enter your measurements — Measure length and width with a tape measure. For sandboxes, measure the inside dimensions.
- Adjust depth if needed — Sandboxes need 6-12 inches, paver base needs 1 inch, pool base needs 2-3 inches.
- Review results — See cubic yards for bulk delivery, tons for weight, or bag counts for smaller projects.
How We Calculate
Volume (cu yd) = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27
Weight (lbs) = Volume (cu yd) × Density
Example: 8×8 ft Sandbox at 6" Deep
- • Area: 8 ft × 8 ft = 64 sq ft
- • Depth: 6 inches = 0.5 ft
- • Volume: 64 × 0.5 = 32 cu ft
- • Cubic yards: 32 ÷ 27 = 1.19 cu yd
- • Weight: 1.19 × 2,500 = 2,975 lbs (1.49 tons)
- • Bags (50 lb): 2,975 ÷ 50 = 60 bags
Sand Weight Reference (per cubic yard):
- • Play Sand: 2,500 lbs (1.25 tons)
- • Mason Sand: 2,600 lbs (1.3 tons)
- • Fill Sand: 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons)
- • Concrete Sand: 2,750 lbs (1.38 tons)
- • Wet Sand: 3,100-3,300 lbs (1.55-1.65 tons)
Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags
Quick reference: 1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 tons ≈ 54 bags (50 lb).
- • Cubic yards: Volume — what suppliers sell in bulk
- • Tons: Weight — for delivery quotes
- • Bags: Retail — 50 lb bags at hardware stores
Recommended Depth by Project
- Sandbox: 6 inches — enough for digging and play, easy to contain.
- Paver base (bedding): 1 inch of mason sand over 4-6" gravel base.
- Pool base: 2 inches of mason sand — smooth, level surface under the liner.
Sand Type by Use
- • Play Sand: Sandboxes only — washed, screened, safe for kids.
- • Mason Sand: Pavers, pool bases — fine, compacts well.
- • Concrete Sand: Concrete mix, under slabs — coarser for strength.
- • Fill Sand: General fill, leveling — economical, may contain some debris.
Standard volume calculation. Sand compacts 10-15% after settling.