# Sand calculator

> Sand is sold by the cubic yard in bulk and in bags at retail. Enter your project dimensions and this calculator gives you the volume and weight to order.

Calculate how much sand you need in cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons for any leveling, playground, patio, or construction project.

**Interactive version:** https://onlinecalculator.me/construction/sand/
**Category:** Construction

## Formula

```
Volume (cu ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12
Volume (cu yd) = cu ft ÷ 27
Weight (lb)    = cu ft × 100
```

## Example

Patio base 12 ft × 10 ft at 1.5 inches deep:

```
Volume = 12 × 10 × 1.5 / 12 = 15 cu ft = 0.56 cu yd
Weight = 15 × 100 = 1,500 lb = 0.75 tons
```

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?

Dry sand: about 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons). Wet sand: up to 3,200 lbs. This calculator uses 100 lb/cu ft as a standard dry-sand estimate.

### How deep should I put sand under pavers?

1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of compacted bedding sand is standard for paver installation.

### How many 50-lb bags are in a cubic yard?

A 50-lb bag is about 0.5 cu ft. You need about 54 bags per cubic yard.

### Does this include compaction?

No. Sand compacts about 10–15%. Order 10–15% extra to account for settling.

### How do I share my calculation?

Click "Share with my numbers" to copy a URL with your dimensions.

## Sources

- [Sand — composition and grain size](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand) — Wikipedia
- [Cubic yard — unit of volume](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_yard) — Wikipedia

## Related calculators

- [Topsoil calculator](https://onlinecalculator.me/construction/topsoil/) — Cubic yards and tons of topsoil for lawns and gardens.
- [Gravel calculator](https://onlinecalculator.me/construction/gravel/) — Cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons of gravel.
- [Mulch calculator](https://onlinecalculator.me/construction/mulch/) — Bags or cubic yards of mulch for garden beds.
- [Concrete calculator](https://onlinecalculator.me/construction/concrete/) — Bags or cubic yards of concrete for any pour.

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