How Much Sand Do I Need? (Volume and Weight)
Volume (cu ft) = Area (sq ft) × Depth (ft) → Cubic yards = Volume ÷ 27 → Weight (tons) = Cubic yards × ~1.3–1.5 tons/yd³ (bulk sand typically weighs 2,600–3,000 lbs per cubic yard, depending on moisture and grain type)
Worked example: A 200 sq ft paver patio with a 1” (0.083 ft) paver base sand layer: 200 × 0.083 = 16.6 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.61 cu yd, roughly 0.85–0.9 tons.
Recommended Depth by Application
| Application | Typical depth | Sand type |
|---|---|---|
| Paver/patio base bedding layer | 1” (some patios use 1–1.5”) | Coarse concrete/paver sand |
| Polymeric jointing (between pavers) | Fills the joint gap only — calculate by joint volume, not area | Polymeric sand |
| Playground/sandbox fill | 6–12” | Play sand (washed, fine) |
| General fill/leveling | Project-specific, commonly 2–4” | Fill sand (coarser, cheaper) |
| Concrete mix (structural component) | N/A — sand is a ratio of the mix, not a depth | Concrete/masonry sand |
Polymeric Sand for Paver Joints
Polymeric sand is swept into the gaps between pavers and activated with water to bind and lock joints against weeds and washout. Coverage is quoted by bag per square foot at a given joint width and paver thickness rather than a simple depth calculation — a 50 lb bag commonly covers 80–120 sq ft of paver surface with standard 1/8”–3/16” joints, but always check your specific product’s coverage chart, since polymeric sand coverage varies more between brands than plain paver sand does.
Concrete Mix Sand Ratios
Sand is one part of a structural concrete or mortar mix, not a standalone fill material — common ratios are 1 part cement : 2 parts sand : 3 parts aggregate (a general-purpose mix) or 1:2:4 (a leaner mix for less critical applications). Enter your total concrete volume and mix ratio into Concrete Mix mode above to get the sand portion specifically, separate from cement and aggregate.
Bulk Sand vs. Bagged Sand
Buying by the ton or cubic yard from a landscape supplier is dramatically cheaper per unit than bagged sand from a hardware store for any project over roughly half a cubic yard — bagged 50 lb bags of sand often cost 3–5× more per ton equivalent than bulk delivery, so bulk is almost always worth it once you’re covering more than a small patio repair or a handful of paver joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for a paver patio?
Multiply your patio’s area by a 1” bedding depth (0.083 ft), divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by roughly 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard. A 200 sq ft patio needs about 0.6 cubic yards, or roughly 0.85–0.9 tons.
How much polymeric sand do I need?
Coverage is quoted per bag at a specific joint width and paver thickness rather than a flat depth calculation — a 50 lb bag typically covers 80–120 sq ft of paver surface with standard joints, but always check your product’s specific coverage chart since this varies by brand.
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
Bulk sand typically weighs 2,600–3,000 lbs (roughly 1.3–1.5 tons) per cubic yard, depending on moisture content and grain type — always confirm the exact weight with your specific supplier for large orders.
How much sand do I need for concrete?
Sand is one component of a concrete mix ratio, commonly 1 part cement to 2 parts sand to 3 or 4 parts aggregate — calculate your total concrete volume first, then apply the ratio to find the sand portion specifically.
Is bulk sand cheaper than bagged sand?
Yes, significantly — bulk sand bought by the ton or cubic yard from a landscape supplier is often 3–5 times cheaper per ton-equivalent than buying the same volume in 50 lb bags from a hardware store, so bulk delivery is worth it for anything beyond a small project.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Sandbox fill is typically 6–12 inches deep using washed play sand, which is a finer, cleaner-graded product than bulk fill or paver sand — a standard 4×4 ft sandbox at 8” deep needs roughly 0.4 cubic yards.
What’s the difference between paver sand, fill sand, and play sand?
Paver/concrete sand is coarser and used for structural bedding and mixing; fill sand is a cheaper, coarser product used for general leveling and grading; play sand is a fine, washed, low-dust sand specifically graded for sandboxes and safe for skin contact.
How much sand do I need for an aquarium or fish tank?
Aquarium sand is calculated very differently from landscaping sand — by substrate depth in inches across the tank’s footprint, usually 1–2 lbs of sand per gallon of tank volume for a standard 1–2 inch substrate bed. This calculator is built for construction and landscaping quantities, not aquarium substrate.
How do I calculate sand in cubic yards vs. tons?
Cubic yards measure volume (area × depth ÷ 27); tons measure weight. Convert between them using bulk sand’s typical density of about 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard — the calculator above converts both directions automatically.
Can I use this instead of my supplier’s calculator?
Yes, as an independent, brand-agnostic estimate to sanity-check any landscape supplier’s or retailer’s tool. Sand density varies by type and moisture, so always confirm your supplier’s specific weight-per-yard figure for large bulk orders.
Get free quotes from local landscaping & masonry contractors
Bulk delivery and spreading often beat bagged sand once you’re past a small repair. Get 2–3 local quotes before you order.