Calculate sand volume, weight, bags needed, and cost for landscaping, construction, and fill projects with coverage tables and material comparison.
Sand is used in countless construction and landscaping projects — from paver bases and playgrounds to concrete mixing and pool filter media. Ordering the right amount is critical: too little delays your project; too much wastes money and leaves surplus to dispose of.
This calculator computes the volume, weight, and number of bags for any rectangular, circular, or triangular area at a specified depth. It supports different sand types with their respective bulk densities, provides cost estimates for both bulk delivery and bagged sand, and includes coverage tables for quick reference.
Whether you're building a patio base, filling a sandbox, leveling ground for a shed, or mixing concrete, this tool handles the unit conversions and density calculations to give you accurate material quantities. It also helps you translate depth into weight and bag count so you can compare delivery options before ordering. That is useful when you need a fast check before calling in a bulk delivery.
Use this calculator when you need a quick estimate for sand volume, weight, and bag count before ordering or hauling material. It is useful for patios, play areas, leveling jobs, and any project where converting depth into bulk material is the part people usually misjudge. The extra context helps you avoid shortages and over-ordering on small projects.
Volume = Area × Depth. Weight = Volume × Density. Bags = Weight / bag_size. Rectangle area = L × W. Circle area = π(d/2)². Triangle area = ½ × b × h. Common sand density: 100 lb/cu ft (1,600 kg/m³).
Result: 0.62 cu yd, 1,667 lb, 34 bags (50 lb)
10×10 ft area at 2 inches depth = 16.67 cu ft = 0.62 cu yd. With all-purpose sand at 100 lb/cu ft, that's 1,667 lb or 34 fifty-pound bags.
All-purpose (concrete) sand has angular grains, compacts well, and drains properly — ideal for construction bases, concrete mixes, and drainage projects. Mason sand is finer and smoother, used for mortar, sandboxes, and volleyball courts. Play sand is washed, screened, and certified non-toxic for children.
Utility sand and fill sand are the coarsest and cheapest options, used for backfilling trenches and general fill. Polymeric sand contains binding agents that harden when wet, used exclusively for paver joints.
Bulk sand is sold by the cubic yard and delivered by dump truck. A standard dump truck holds 10-14 Cu yd (~12-18 tons). Half-truck loads (5-7 cu yd) are available from most suppliers. For small projects, 50 lb bags from hardware stores are convenient but cost 3-5× more per ton.
Freshly placed sand will settle 10-15% when compacted with a plate compactor or hand tamper. For structural applications (paver base, foundation bedding), compact in 2-inch lifts, adding water to achieve ~70% moisture saturation. The compacted density is typically 5-15% higher than loose bulk density.
Dry sand: ~2,500-2,700 lb/cu yd (1.25-1.35 tons). Wet sand: ~3,000-3,400 lb/cu yd. The exact weight depends on moisture, compaction, and grain size.
Order 10-15% extra for compaction, waste, and uneven ground. Sand compacts 10-15% when vibrated or tamped. If the area is irregular, add 15-20%.
Use coarse/sharp sand (concrete sand) for the base layer. Use fine polymeric sand for joints between pavers. Never use play sand or beach sand for structural applications.
Minimum 12 inches (30 cm) for safety under play equipment. For a basic sandbox, 6-8 inches is typical. Use washed, certified play sand only.
Bulk delivery is cheaper for large projects (>1 cu yd). Under that, bagged sand from hardware stores is more practical despite costing 3-5× more per ton.
At 1 inch depth: ~200 sq ft. At 2 inches: ~100 sq ft. At 3 inches: ~67 sq ft. Actual coverage varies by sand type and compaction.