Sand Calculator - Cubic Yards, Tons & Bedding Depth
Sand quantity is area times depth, then converted to weight using the selected density. This works for bedding sand, play sand, mason sand, and fill sand with adjusted densities.
Density of sand used to convert volume into weight.
Percent added for cuts, waste, settlement, or field loss.
Cost uses the waste-adjusted material weight.
Change any value and the results, formula, and diagram update immediately. Use the same unit system throughout one estimate.
Sand Tonnage Quick Reference
Tons of sand by job size for paver bedding (1 in) and play / box-fill (4 in) at average density 100 lb/cu ft. Use these for the dispatcher conversation; the calculator runs your real values.
| Area | 1 in (paver bedding) | 2 in (sandbox / leveling) | 4 in (play / fill) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.21 ton | 0.42 ton | 0.83 ton |
| 100 sq ft | 0.42 ton | 0.83 ton | 1.67 ton |
| 200 sq ft (small patio) | 0.83 ton | 1.67 ton | 3.33 tons |
| 500 sq ft | 2.08 tons | 4.17 tons | 8.33 tons |
| 1000 sq ft | 4.17 tons | 8.33 tons | 16.7 tons |
One cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 1.35 tons; wet sand is 1.5-1.7 tons. Coverage: 1 ton covers 120 sq ft at 1 in, 60 sq ft at 2 in, 30 sq ft at 4 in.
Sand Types - Pick The Right One
Concrete sand (coarse)
Sharp, gritty washed sand for mixing concrete and as paver bedding. Drains well and locks tight under pavers. Also called paver sand, ASTM C33 sand.
Mason sand
Fine, smooth, light-coloured sand for mortar joints and stucco. ASTM C144. Cleaner than concrete sand; not for paver bedding (too fine, shifts under load).
Play sand
Washed, screened to remove pebbles and dust. Sterilised for children. Sold in 50 lb bags at home stores.
Fill sand / utility sand
Cheap, less-clean sand for filling trenches, levelling, and backfill behind walls. Some dust and small pebbles tolerated.
River sand
Indian/Asian site practice. Naturally washed by river action. Used for plastering and finer concrete work. Increasingly regulated due to river-bed extraction concerns.
M-sand (manufactured sand)
India and growing globally. Crushed rock sand replacing river sand. Tighter spec, more uniform particle size, lower environmental footprint.
Polymeric sand (joint sand)
Sand pre-mixed with binders that activate with water. Used between pavers to lock joints. Sold in 50 lb bags - 1 bag per 60-80 sq ft of pavers.
Common Uses
- Paver bedding: 1 in of concrete sand below pavers. Screed level before laying.
- Pool base: 2-3 in of sand below above-ground pool liner.
- Sandbox: 4-6 in of play sand. A 4 x 4 ft sandbox at 6 in needs about 8 cu ft, or 16 of the 50 lb bags.
- Trench backfill: 2-4 in of sand around buried utility pipe before backfilling with dirt or gravel.
- Concrete mix: concrete sand is one of three ingredients (cement, sand, aggregate). Use the Concrete Calculator for total mix.
- Mortar: mason sand at 1:4-1:6 ratio with cement. Use the Mortar Calculator.
- Plaster: mason sand at 1:4 with cement. Plaster Calculator.
- Joint sand for pavers: polymeric sand swept into paver joints, then watered to harden.
Density - Wet vs Dry Matters
Sand density changes with moisture. The same cubic yard weighs more when wet:
- Dry loose sand: 90-100 lb/cu ft, 1.21-1.35 tons/yd³.
- Dry compacted sand: 100-110 lb/cu ft, 1.35-1.49 tons/yd³.
- Wet sand: 110-130 lb/cu ft, 1.49-1.75 tons/yd³.
- Tightly compacted wet sand: can reach 140 lb/cu ft.
The supplier's "ton of sand" varies by 20-30% in volume depending on whether it was loaded dry from a covered shed or wet from an outdoor pile after rain. For bedding work, ask for delivered tonnage and let it dry on tarp before screeding.
Cost Estimates Around The World
2026 retail prices for clean concrete or mason sand, delivered.
| Region | Concrete / mason sand | Play sand (bagged) | Polymeric sand (bagged) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (USD) | $25-45 / ton delivered | $5-8 / 50 lb bag | $25-40 / 50 lb bag |
| Canada (CAD) | C$35-65 / tonne | C$7-12 / 25 kg bag | C$35-55 / 22 kg bag |
| United Kingdom (GBP) | £30-55 / tonne | £4-8 / 25 kg bag | £20-35 / 20 kg bag |
| Eurozone (EUR) | €25-55 / tonne | €5-10 / 25 kg bag | €22-40 / 20 kg bag |
| Australia (AUD) | A$70-110 / tonne | A$10-18 / 20 kg bag | A$40-65 / 20 kg bag |
| India (INR) | ₹1,500-3,500 / m³ (river sand, M-sand) | ₹100-200 / 50 kg bag (rare retail) | ₹1,800-3,500 / 25 kg bag (imported) |
| Mexico (MXN) | MX$400-800 / tonne | MX$80-160 / 25 kg bag | MX$400-750 / 25 kg bag |
| Philippines (PHP) | PHP 1,500-2,500 / m³ | PHP 120-250 / bag | PHP 700-1,400 / bag |
India: river sand prices vary heavily by region and regulatory status. M-sand (manufactured / crushed sand) is increasingly the legal default - 10-25% cheaper than river sand in restricted regions.
Common Mistakes
- Using play sand for paver bedding - it shifts under load.
- Using mason sand for concrete - too fine, lowers strength.
- Ordering sand by yard from one supplier and ton from another, then comparing the totals directly.
- Not accounting for moisture - wet sand weighs much more than dry.
- Skipping the screed step under pavers - uneven sand causes lippage.
- Wetting polymeric sand too early during install - it activates before sweeping in.
- Using river sand where local regulations require M-sand (India).
- Forgetting that loose-pile delivery settles 15-20% on arrival.
Sand Calculator FAQ
How many tons of sand for a 200 sq ft paver patio bedding?
At 1 in deep: 200 x 0.0833 = 16.7 cu ft = 0.62 cu yd. At 1.35 tons/yd³, that is 0.83 ton. Order 1 ton (most suppliers have a 1-ton minimum). Add an extra bag or two of polymeric joint sand at finish.
What sand do I use for paver bedding?
Concrete sand (coarse, washed, ASTM C33). NOT play sand or mason sand - they are too fine and pavers settle into them under traffic.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 4 x 4 ft sandbox at 6 in deep needs about 8 cu ft, or 16 of the 50 lb bags. A 6 x 6 ft sandbox at 8 in deep needs 24 cu ft, or 48 bags. Above 30 bags, switch to bulk delivery (1 ton minimum).
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry loose: 1.2-1.4 tons. Compacted: 1.35-1.5 tons. Wet: 1.5-1.7 tons. The same yard can be 30% heavier when wet.
What is the difference between mason sand and concrete sand?
Mason sand is fine and clean - for mortar, stucco, plaster. Concrete sand is coarser and gritty - for concrete mixes, paver bedding, and base layers. Do not swap them; each is engineered for its use.
How deep should sand be for paver bedding?
1 inch (25 mm) of concrete sand on top of a 4-6 in compacted gravel base. Thicker bedding (2 in or more) lets pavers shift over time.
How many bags of sand make a cubic yard?
A 50 lb (22.7 kg) bag of sand is about 0.5 cu ft. So 54 bags = 1 cu yd. That is roughly 2,700 lb of bags - clearly bulk delivery starts to win above 1/2 yard.
Can I use polymeric sand for everything?
No - only for paver joints. Polymeric sand contains binders that activate with water; using it for bedding or other purposes wastes the binder and costs 3-5x regular sand.
How much does a ton of sand cost?
US: $25-45 per ton delivered for concrete sand. UK: £30-55 per tonne. India: ₹1,500-3,500 per m³ for river sand or M-sand. Polymeric joint sand sold by the bag costs 10-20x base sand per pound.
How long does polymeric sand last?
5-10 years before re-application. UV degradation, water erosion, and weed seeds eventually break down the bound surface. Easy to top up - sweep new sand into existing joints, mist with water.
Related Construction Calculators
For pavers laid on the sand bedding, use the Paver Calculator. For the gravel base layer underneath, see the Gravel Calculator. For sand in concrete mix, use the Concrete Calculator. For mortar applications, the Mortar Calculator. More tools live on the Construction Calculators hub.
Sources
- USGS - Sand and Gravel Statistics and Information
- ASTM C33 standard specification for concrete aggregates
- ASTM C144 standard specification for aggregate for masonry mortar
- National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA)
- Bureau of Indian Standards - IS 383 (fine and coarse aggregates), IS 2116 (sand for plaster)
- NIST Handbook 44 unit conversion tables
This calculator is for planning and ordering conversations. Local code, project drawings, engineered design, and manufacturer instructions control the final work.