Sand Calculator
Calculate sand in cubic yards, tons and bags for a sandbox, paver bedding, volleyball court or leveling project, and see what it will cost.
Formulas shown on this page · Last reviewed October 2026
Sand formula
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × density (tons per yd³)
bags = cubic feet ÷ 0.5
For a circle, replace length × width with π × (diameter ÷ 2)². A 0.5 cu ft bag of sand weighs around 50 lb, which matches a density of roughly 100 lb per cubic foot.
Coverage of one cubic yard
| Depth | Area covered by 1 yd³ |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
Approximate sand weights
| Condition | Tons per yd³ | Lb per yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | ~1.3 | ~2,600 |
| Damp | ~1.4 | ~2,800 |
| Wet or packed | ~1.5 | ~3,000 |
Practical tips
- Use washed play sand for sandboxes and coarse concrete sand for paver bedding. Fine mason sand is better for mortar.
- Sand compacts by roughly 10–15%, so order a little extra when it will be tamped down.
- Delivered sand is usually damp, so the weight on your ticket may be higher than the dry estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 1.3 tons (2,600 lb) for dry sand, 1.4 tons when damp and up to about 1.5 tons when wet or compacted. These are approximate values, so confirm with your supplier.
How much sand do I need for a 4x4 sandbox?
A 4×4 ft sandbox filled 6 in deep holds 8 cu ft, or 0.30 cubic yards. That is about 0.39 tons of dry sand, or 16 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cu ft, so it equals 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft (about 50 lb each). Bulk delivery is cheaper beyond roughly half a yard.
How much area does one ton of sand cover?
At 1.3 tons per cubic yard, a ton is about 0.77 yd³ and covers roughly 250 sq ft at 1 in deep, 125 sq ft at 2 in, or 62 sq ft at 4 in.