Pavers, pools, leveling, and fill
Sand Cubic Yard Calculator
Calculate sand volume in cubic yards, cubic feet, cubic meters, pounds, tons, cost, and recommended overage.
Calculate Sand
Common Sand Uses
Sand is used for paver bedding, pool bases, leveling, trench fill, play areas, and masonry work. The right depth depends on the base and the type of sand being placed.
Sand Depth Guide
| Project | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Paver bedding | 1 inch |
| Leveling layer | 2 inches |
| Base or fill layer | 4 inches or more |
Sand Weight and Ordering
Sand is commonly priced by ton or cubic yard depending on supplier. Because moisture changes weight, use the calculator for planning and confirm final order quantities with the yard before delivery.
Quick answer: Multiply length x width x depth in feet and divide by 27. A 10 x 10 ft area leveled 2 inches deep needs (10 x 10 x 0.167) / 27 = 0.62 cubic yards of sand - about 0.83 tons. Add 10 to 15 percent extra for compaction and leveling waste.
Sand Bags Per Cubic Yard
A cubic yard of sand weighs about 2,700 lbs. Divide by bag weight for bag counts:
| Bag size | Bags per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| 50 lb bag | 54 |
| 60 lb bag | 45 |
| 70 lb tube sand | 39 |
For anything over a few bags, bulk delivery by the yard or ton is far cheaper than bagged sand.
Sand for Pavers: How Much Bedding Sand
Paver bedding is typically 1 inch of coarse concrete sand screeded over a compacted gravel base. Estimate 1 inch, then add 15 to 25 percent extra because screeding and settling consume more than the math suggests. A 200 sq ft patio at 1 inch needs (200 x 0.0833) / 27 = 0.62 cubic yards - order about 0.75 yards. Do not use fine play sand for paver bedding; it washes out and does not lock pavers in place.
Dry vs Wet Sand Weight
Dry sand runs about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, but wet sand can exceed 3,000 lbs. That matters twice: your truck or trailer payload, and the tons-to-yards conversion when ordering by weight. If the pile has been rained on, assume the heavy end and confirm hauling limits before loading.
Common Sand Estimating Mistakes
Using play sand for construction. Play sand is fine and clean but wrong for paver bedding or masonry - use concrete sand or mason sand as specified.
Skipping compaction allowance. Sand compacts under pavers and foot traffic. The 10 percent overage is a minimum for leveling work.
Ordering by weight without checking moisture. A ton of wet sand is less volume than a ton of dry sand.
FAQ
Multiply length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27. Use inches for shallow paver or pool base depths.
Sand is about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard. Wet sand can weigh more, so confirm hauling limits.
Using 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, sand is about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
A 1 inch bedding layer is common for pavers after the base is prepared. Follow the paver manufacturer or contractor guidance.
Yes. It estimates volume and weight, but bagged play sand packaging may use cubic feet or pounds.
Yes, about 10 percent extra helps cover leveling, compaction, and waste.
No. Mason sand is finer and cleaner, while fill sand is used for general filling and grading.
Use the tons to cubic yards calculator and choose sand. The conversion depends on sand density and moisture.
About 54 bags. A cubic yard of sand weighs roughly 2,700 lbs, and 2,700 / 50 = 54 bags. For large areas, bulk delivery is much cheaper.
At 1 inch of bedding sand, a 10x10 ft patio needs about 0.31 cubic yards. Order about 0.4 yards to cover screeding waste and settling.
Most round pools need 2 to 3 inches of sand under the liner. A 24 ft round pool at 2 inches needs about 2.8 cubic yards. Check the pool manufacturer guidance for the exact base spec.
Concrete sand is coarser and used for paver bedding and mixing concrete. Mason sand is finer and used for mortar and softer applications. They are not interchangeable.
About 1.35 tons dry (2,700 lbs / 2,000). Wet sand can push past 1.5 tons per yard.
No. Play sand is too fine - it washes out and does not interlock. Use coarse concrete sand for paver bedding.