Sand Calculator — Tons, Yards, and Bag Count

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You need

0.31 cubic yards

≈ 0.42 tons · ≈ 17 bags · $15 total cost

How to Calculate Sand Quantity

Sand quantity calculation follows the same volume math as any bulk material — area times depth gives you cubic feet, which converts to cubic yards by dividing by 27. The catch with sand is that different types have meaningfully different densities, and bag sizes vary widely (50 lb, 70 lb, 100 lb, 1 ton supersacks).

Cubic yards = (Length × Width × Depth in inches) ÷ 324
Weight (tons) = Cubic yards × Sand density
Bag count = (Weight in lb) ÷ (Bag size in lb)

Worked example: paver patio bedding

Suppose you're installing a 200 sq ft paver patio with the standard 1 inch of paver sand bedding:

Volume: (200 × 1) ÷ 324 = 0.62 cubic yards
Weight (paver sand 1.45 t/yd³): 0.62 × 1.45 = 0.90 tons (1,800 lb)
Bags (50 lb): 1,800 ÷ 50 = 36 bags
Cost bulk (at $40/ton): 0.90 × $40 = $36
Cost bagged (at $5/50 lb bag): 36 × $5 = $180

Sand bag pricing favors bulk dramatically

Bagged sand costs roughly 5× more per ton than bulk delivery. For any sand project over about 0.3 cubic yards (10-12 bags), bulk delivery is significantly cheaper even with the delivery fee. The breakeven point is lower than for mulch or gravel because sand is denser.

Types of Sand and Their Uses

Sand types differ in grain size, shape, and intended use. Using the wrong type can ruin a project. Here's the practical guide.

Paver sand (sharp sand)

Coarse, angular grains that interlock when compacted under load. Essential for paver patio bedding (the 1-inch layer between base course and paver) and for joint filling. Density: 1.45 tons/yd³. Cost: $35-50/yard bulk. Never substitute play sand here — pavers will sink and shift.

Mason sand

Fine, uniform sand for mixing mortar in masonry work. Smooth, consistent grain size makes for workable mortar that adheres properly to brick and stone. Density: 1.35 tons/yd³. Cost: $25-40/yard bulk. Also used for sandboxes (safer than construction sand for skin contact).

Concrete sand

Coarser than mason sand with more angular grains. The "aggregate fine" component of structural concrete mixes. Density: 1.42 tons/yd³. Cost: $30-45/yard. Don't use for mortar — too coarse, produces weak joints. Don't use for paver bedding — wrong angularity.

Play sand

Washed, screened, fine sand designed specifically for sandboxes and play areas. Free of silica dust (important — silica is a respiratory hazard) and rounded for skin safety. Density: 1.30 tons/yd³. Cost: $4-6 per 50 lb bag retail (usually only sold bagged for residential use).

Fill sand (all-purpose)

Generic graded sand for filling holes, low spots, leveling, or as a base material for non-structural use. Density: 1.50 tons/yd³ (more compactable). Cost: $20-35/yard. Cheapest sand type — useful for filling but not for precision work.

Polymeric joint sand

Special sand mixed with polymers that activate with water and harden. Used between paver joints to lock them in place and prevent weed growth. Sold only in bags (typically 50 lb). Cost: $25-40/bag. Apply dry, sweep into joints, mist with water to activate.

How Much Sand by Project

Sand application varies enormously by use case. Here are typical quantities for common projects:

Paver patios and walkways

Paver bedding is 1 inch of sharp sand over compacted gravel base. A 200 sq ft patio needs 0.62 cubic yards (about 0.85 tons) of bedding sand, plus 0.1-0.15 yd³ of joint sand to fill between pavers. Larger 500 sq ft installation: 1.5 yd³ + 0.3 yd³ joint sand.

Sandboxes and play areas

A standard 4x4 ft sandbox at 6 inches deep needs 0.30 cubic yards (16 bags of 50 lb play sand). Commercial-rated 6x6 ft sandboxes at 6 inches deep: 0.67 cubic yards (36 bags). Always use commercial play sand — construction sand can contain silica dust.

Horseshoe pits and bocce courts

Regulation horseshoe pit (6 ft × 4 ft × 6 inches): 0.44 cubic yards (24 bags or about 0.6 tons). Use mason sand or coarse play sand. Bocce courts (60-90 ft long) require considerably more — typically 1-2 yards of crushed stone base topped with 1-2 inches of fine sand.

Masonry mortar mixing

A typical mortar mix is 1 part Portland cement, 1 part lime, 6 parts mason sand. For 100 sq ft of brick wall (8" thick), you'll need approximately 3 cubic feet of mortar, which requires 2.5 cubic feet of mason sand (about 1 bag of 50 lb mason sand).

Concrete mixing (small batches)

A standard concrete mix is 1 part Portland cement, 2 parts concrete sand, 3 parts gravel, by volume. For 1 cubic yard of concrete, you need about 9 cubic feet of concrete sand (≈ 0.33 yd³). For large pours, order ready-mix concrete delivery instead.

Above-ground pool base

An above-ground pool requires a level sand base of about 2 inches. For a 24 ft round pool (452 sq ft of footprint): 2.8 cubic yards (≈ 3.8 tons) of mason sand. Critical that this is perfectly level — pools fail at sand-base imperfections.

Sand Coverage Reference Table

How much area one cubic yard of sand covers at different depths:

Depth	Coverage (sq ft per yd³)	Tons per 100 sq ft	Bags (50 lb) per 100 sq ft
1 inch	324 sq ft	0.42 tons	17 bags
2 inches	162 sq ft	0.83 tons	33 bags
3 inches	108 sq ft	1.25 tons	50 bags
4 inches	81 sq ft	1.67 tons	67 bags
6 inches	54 sq ft	2.50 tons	100 bags
12 inches	27 sq ft	5.00 tons	200 bags

These figures use mason sand density (1.35 t/yd³). Heavier sand types add 5-12% to weight figures; lighter types subtract similarly.

Sand Pricing in 2026

US national average pricing for the 2026 season:

Sand type	Per ton (bulk)	Per cubic yard	Per 50 lb bag
Mason sand	$25–40	$30–55	$4–6
Concrete sand	$30–45	$40–60	$4–7
Paver sand (sharp)	$35–50	$45–70	$5–8
Fill sand	$20–35	$25–45	$3–5
Play sand (commercial)	$60–100	$80–135	$4–6
Polymeric joint sand	—	—	$25–40 / 50 lb

Delivery typically adds $50-150 for 1-ton minimum orders. For projects over 1 cubic yard, bulk delivery is always cheaper than buying bagged. Bagged sand makes sense for sandboxes, small repairs, or projects where you can't accept a bulk delivery.

Installation Tips

Match sand type to project. The single biggest cause of sand-related failures is using the wrong type — playground sand under pavers, concrete sand in mortar, beach sand anywhere structural.
Compact in layers. For thick sand applications (over 4"), spread in 2-inch lifts and compact each layer with a plate compactor before adding the next.
Maintain consistent depth. For paver bedding, the 1-inch sand layer must be screed-leveled to uniform depth using PVC pipes as guides. Uneven sand causes pavers to rock and shift.
Don't add water to dry sand before installation. Wet sand is significantly harder to spread evenly. Compact dry, water lightly after if needed for paver joint settling.
Use polymeric joint sand correctly. Apply on a dry day, sweep into joints, then mist (don't soak) with water. The polymers need water to activate but flood-watering washes them out.

Common Sand Mistakes

Substituting types: Play sand under pavers shifts and lets pavers rock. Concrete sand in mortar makes it crumbly. Mason sand for structural concrete weakens it.
Too thick paver bedding: Anything over 1 inch lets pavers settle unevenly. 1.5-2 inches is a common mistake.
Using beach sand: Often contains salt (corrodes metal edging), too rounded for structural use, and may contain marine debris.
Forgetting joint sand: New paver installations need joint sand swept in immediately. Without it, pavers move within weeks.
Buying bagged for large projects: 1 cubic yard of bagged sand costs 4-5× as much as bulk delivered. Plus you have to handle 54 bags by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sand do I need for a paver patio?

Sand for paver patios is applied at 1 inch as bedding. A 200 sq ft patio needs 0.62 cubic yards (about 0.85 tons) of sharp paver sand. Add another 0.1-0.15 cubic yards of joint sand for filling between pavers. Use polymeric sand for the joints in established patios.

How much sand is in a 50 pound bag?

A standard 50 lb bag of dry sand contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet, which covers about 6 square feet at 1 inch deep. To equal 1 cubic yard, you'd need 54 bags of 50 lb sand. Bulk delivery is significantly cheaper for projects over 0.5 cubic yards.

How much does a yard of sand weigh?

One cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 1.35 tons (2,700 lb). Wet sand weighs significantly more at 1.6 tons/yd³ (3,200 lb). Specific types: mason sand 1.35 t/yd³, concrete sand 1.42 t/yd³, paver sand 1.45 t/yd³, fill sand 1.50 t/yd³.

How much does a yard of sand cost?

Bulk sand costs $25-50 per cubic yard in 2026, depending on type and location. Mason sand and play sand are cheapest ($25-35/yd³); paver sand and concrete sand run $35-50/yd³. Delivery typically adds $50-150. Bagged sand costs $4-8 per 50 lb bag (about $40-80 per cubic yard equivalent).

What's the difference between paver sand and play sand?

Paver sand (sharp sand) has angular grains that interlock when compacted — essential for stable paver bases. Play sand is fine, washed, rounded sand designed to be safe for skin contact and consistent in size. Don't substitute one for the other; pavers will shift on play sand.

How deep should paver base sand be?

Bedding sand for pavers should be exactly 1 inch deep — no more, no less. Deeper sand allows pavers to sink and shift over time. The 1-inch layer goes over a compacted 4-6 inch base of crushed stone, then pavers, then joint sand sweeping between them.

How much sand for a sandbox?

A typical 4x4 ft sandbox at 6 inches deep needs 8 cubic feet (0.30 cubic yards), about 16 bags of 50 lb play sand. A larger 6x6 ft sandbox at 6 inches: 18 cubic feet / 0.67 cubic yards / 36 bags. Always use commercial play sand, not construction sand which can contain silica dust.

How do I calculate sand for grout joints in pavers?

Multiply patio square footage by 0.0035 to get cubic yards of joint sand needed. A 200 sq ft patio needs about 0.7 cubic feet (1-2 bags of 50 lb polymeric joint sand). Wider joints or larger pavers need more — a 400 sq ft patio with wide-spaced pavers may need 4-6 bags.

Is mason sand the same as concrete sand?

No. Mason sand is fine, uniform sand for mixing mortar (smooth surface needed). Concrete sand is coarser with angular grains for structural strength in concrete mixes. Both are 'masonry sand' colloquially but suppliers distinguish them. Using the wrong type weakens mortar joints or concrete.

How much sand for a horseshoe pit?

A regulation horseshoe pit is 6 ft × 4 ft × 6 inches deep, requiring 12 cubic feet (0.44 cubic yards) of sand. About 24 bags of 50 lb play sand or 1 ton bulk delivered. Use coarse mason sand or play sand — not clay-heavy fill sand.

Can I use beach sand for paver installation?

No. Beach sand is too fine, too round, and often contains salt that corrodes concrete and metal edge restraints. Always use sharp angular paver sand from a quarry supplier. The angular grains are essential for paver stability — beach sand will let pavers shift within months.

How heavy is a 5-gallon bucket of sand?

A 5-gallon bucket of dry sand weighs approximately 65-70 lb (29-32 kg). Wet sand pushes that to 80-85 lb. The bucket holds about 0.67 cubic feet of sand, so it would take 40-45 buckets to equal 1 cubic yard. Useful for small repairs but exhausting for any real project.