Sand Calculator
A 20 by 12 foot area at 4 inches of sand is 2.96 cubic yards and 4.00 short tons at 1,600 kg/m³.
Last updated . The shape tools start at 1,600 kg/m³, about 1.35 US tons per cubic yard and 1.22 tonnes. That sits in the 1.3 to 1.5 ton range in the weight section below, on the dry-sand row of the density table.
How much sand do I need? Estimate sand volume, weight, coverage, and yardage for any shape. Get results in cubic yards, cubic feet, tons, and optional bag/cost estimates. Angular sand under 3/8 inch, as winter grit rather than a paving layer, is the winter gravel guide.
Choose Your Shape
Sand Calculator – Straight Path
Width
Calculation is based on average density of 1600 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Sand Calculator – Curved Path
Calculation is based on average density of 1600 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Sand Calculator – Circular Area
Calculation is based on average density of 1600 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Sand Calculator – Annular Ring
Calculation is based on average density of 1600 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Sand Calculator – Triangular Area
Weight is calculated on the average pea gravel density of 1600 kg/m³. You can always enter the density manually for customized calculations.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Sand Calculator – Rectangular Area
Calculation is based on average density of 1600 kg/m³.
Calculation Results
Gravel Volume
0.00 m³
Gravel Weight
0.00 t
Cubic yards
0.00 yd³
Cubic meters
0.00 m³
Tons (2,000 lb)
0.00 tons
Tonnes (1,000 kg)
0.00 t
Bags (0.5 ft³)
0
Converted from the volume and density already used above. Tons are US short tons. Tonnes are metric tonnes, the same unit as the “t” menu. Bags are 0.5 cubic foot retail bags, rounded up.
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Sand Bags & Cost – Rectangle
Calculation Results
Sand Volume
0.00 yd³
Bags Needed
0
0.00 exact
Estimated Cost
0.00 USD
Sand Calculator – Enter Area (sq ft)
If you already know the total bed area (for example from a plan), enter it here—no shapes needed.
Common bags are 2 cu ft. Adjust if yours are different.
Calculation Results
Sand Volume
0.00 yd³
Bags Needed
0
0.00 exact
Estimated Cost
0.00 USD
Please enter a valid area and depth (> 0).
How Does the Sand Calculator Work?
This sand calculator estimates the total sand required by combining three key inputs:
- area (based on shape and dimensions)
- depth (thickness of the sand layer)
- material density
Volume = Area × Depth
Once the volume is calculated, it is converted into cubic yards, cubic feet, or cubic meters. The calculator then applies sand density to estimate total weight in tons, kilograms, or pounds.
Default sand density is set to 1,600 kg/m³, but this can be adjusted if your supplier provides a different value.
What This Sand Calculator Can Be Used For
If your project is mix-design focused, try the sand and cement calculator. For bedding layers beneath pavers, use the paver sand calculator.
| Project Type | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Paver base / leveling | Bedding sand under patios and walkways |
| Pool base | Sand under above-ground pools |
| Concrete preparation | Fine aggregate layer before pouring |
| Backfill and fill | Filling low spots or trenches |
| Play areas / landscaping | Surface leveling and soft ground cover |
| Construction projects | General sand estimation for site work |
Sand Coverage by Depth
Sand coverage changes significantly with depth. The same volume of sand will cover less area as the layer becomes thicker.
| Depth | Coverage per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~324 sq ft |
| 2 inches | ~162 sq ft |
| 3 inches | ~108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | ~81 sq ft |
These are general estimates. Actual coverage may vary based on compaction, moisture, and surface conditions.
Sand Density and Weight Conversion
Sand weight depends on density, which varies based on moisture and compaction.
| Condition | Approx. Density |
|---|---|
| Dry sand | ~1,500 – 1,600 kg/m³ |
| Damp sand | ~1,600 – 1,800 kg/m³ |
| Wet / compacted sand | ~1,800 – 2,000 kg/m³ |
If you are converting cubic yards to tons, a common rule of thumb is:
1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 to 1.5 tons of sand
For precise conversion between cubic yards, tons, and bags, use the material conversion calculator.
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How to Estimate Sand for Your Project
- Measure the project area accurately
- Choose the correct depth based on application
- Use the correct shape calculator for better accuracy
- Adjust density if your material differs
- Add extra material for compaction and waste
Common Sand Types
| Sand Type | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Sharp sand | Concrete, screed, drainage layers |
| Building sand | Mortar and brickwork |
| Play sand | Play areas and landscaping |
| Fill sand | Backfill and leveling |
| Silica sand | Filtration and specialty uses |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using incorrect depth assumptions
- Ignoring compaction and settlement
- Confusing cubic yards with tons
- Using the wrong sand type for the job
- Not ordering extra material for waste and leveling
FAQs
How much sand do I need?
Enter your project dimensions and depth in the calculator above. It will estimate volume, weight, and optional bag count based on your inputs.
How do I convert cubic yards of sand to tons?
Multiply the volume by sand density. A common estimate is 1 cubic yard equals about 1.3 to 1.5 tons depending on moisture and compaction.
What is the density of sand?
Dry sand averages around 1,600 kg/m³, but wet or compacted sand can be significantly heavier.
Should I order extra sand?
Yes. Adding 5–10% extra is common to cover compaction, uneven surfaces, and material loss during installation.
How much sand do I need for a 20 by 12 foot area?
At 4 inches, 20 × 12 × 4 ÷ 324 = 2.96 cubic yards. The straight-path tool, left at 1,600 kg/m³, also shows 2.27 cubic meters, 80 cubic feet, 4.00 short tons, 3.62 tonnes, and 160 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. A 2 inch layer of the same rectangle is half of that, 1.48 cubic yards.
Damp sand from the density table can weigh more than 4.00 tons for the same hole in the ground. Change the density if the pile is wet. Do not change the depth to fake the moisture.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, which is 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. The 20 by 12 foot example is 80 cubic feet, so the bag line reads 160. A 50 pound bag at 1.35 tons per yard is about 54 bags per cubic yard as well, because 2,700 ÷ 50 is 54.
The bags-and-cost panel on this page uses the bag size you pick. A 0.5 cubic foot bag and a 50 pound bag are the same count only while the sand stays near 1.35 tons per yard.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
At the 1,600 kg/m³ starting density, one cubic yard weighs 1.35 US tons, about 2,700 pounds, and 1.22 tonnes. Dry sand in the table above is 1,500 to 1,600 kg/m³. Damp sand is 1,600 to 1,800, and wet compacted sand can reach 1,800 to 2,000.
The “1 cubic yard ≈ 1.3 to 1.5 tons” line already on this page is the same band. 1.35 is the dry end of it. A wet yard can land near 1.7 tons, which is why the upper rows exist.
How many square feet does a ton of sand cover?
The coverage table above is 324 square feet per cubic yard at 1 inch, 162 at 2 inches, 108 at 3 inches, and 81 at 4 inches. Divide by 1.35 tons per yard and a ton covers about 240 square feet at 1 inch, 120 at 2 inches, 80 at 3 inches, and 60 at 4 inches.
A thin leveling skim is the 1 inch row. A paver base that is actually 4 inches of sand, which is unusual, is the 60 square foot row and a very large order.
How much bedding sand do I need under pavers?
A screeded bedding layer is usually 1 inch. Over 200 square feet that is 200 × 1 ÷ 324 = 0.62 cubic yards, about 0.83 short tons at 1,600 kg/m³, or 34 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. The crushed base under that inch is a separate, thicker order.
Joints between pavers are a few handfuls per square foot, not another inch of depth. Estimate the bedding here or on the paver sand calculator, and do not add a second full inch for the joints.
How much sand do I need to level a low spot?
A 10 by 10 foot patch at 1 inch is 0.31 cubic yards, 0.42 short tons, and 17 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Two inches is 0.62 cubic yards. If the low spot is a bowl rather than a flat inch, average the depth instead of using the deepest point for the whole square.
Topsoil is the better fill when you are growing grass in that spot. Sand belongs where you need a stable, free-draining layer, which is the use list higher on this page.
How much area does a cubic yard of sand cover?
At 2 inches depth, one cubic yard covers about 162 square feet. Coverage decreases as depth increases.
Sand by the ton at 1,600 kg/m³
The coverage table above already lists square feet per cubic yard. This one adds the short-ton coverage at the 1.35 tons per yard the tools start with, plus a 20 by 12 foot example at each depth.
| Depth | Sq ft per cubic yard | Sq ft per short ton | 20×12 ft area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 | 240 | 0.74 yd³ / 1.00 ton |
| 2 inches | 162 | 120 | 1.48 yd³ / 2.00 tons |
| 4 inches | 81 | 60 | 2.96 yd³ / 4.00 tons |
Worked example: a 20×12 ft sand bed
Open the straight-path calculator, enter 20 feet by 12 feet by 4 inches, and leave the density at 1,600. The order line reads 2.96 cubic yards, 2.27 cubic meters, 4.00 short tons, 3.62 tonnes, and 160 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Switch the weight menu to pounds and the same result is about 7,991 pounds.
A circle, ring, or triangle on this page starts at the same 1,600 kg/m³, so a cubic yard of sand still weighs 1.35 short tons after you change shape. The bag panel farther up is for a small rectangle sold by the bag, not a second density.