Sand Calculator
Enter the size of the area and how deep the sand should be. You get the volume, the weight and, if you add a price per ton, the cost of the delivery.
Created by the Reeliy Editorial Team. Last updated: Oct 19, 2026
What the sand calculator does
Sellers quote sand by weight but you spread it by volume, so the answer has to cover both. The calculator multiplies the footprint of the area by the depth of the layer to get a volume, and then converts that volume to weight with a fixed density of 1,600 kg/m3, which is about 99.9 lb/ft3.
- Select US units or Metric units; this chooses the units of the answer and the meaning of the price field.
- Choose a rectangular or circular area and fill in the dimensions. Every length has its own unit, so 6 ft and 40 cm can sit in the same form.
- Type a price per ton (per tonne in metric mode) to see the cost.
From area to volume to weight
rectangle: volume = width × length × depth
circle: volume = π × (diameter ÷ 2)2 × depth
weight = volume × 1,600 kg/m3Equivalent to roughly 99.9 lb per cubic foot.
The volume is shown in cubic yards with the cubic feet in brackets in US units, or in cubic meters in metric mode. The weight is shown in pounds, plus short tons once it passes half a ton, or in kilograms, plus tonnes once it passes half a tonne.
Example: bedding layer under pavers
A patio of 20 ft by 10 ft with a 2 inch bedding layer needs 20 × 10 × 2/12 = 33.3 ft3, which is 1.23 cubic yards. Multiplying by 99.9 lb/ft3 gives 3,329 lb, or 1.66 tons. If the supplier charges $45 per ton the sand costs about $74.91.
Example: a children's sandbox
A 4 ft by 4 ft box filled 6 inches deep holds 4 × 4 × 0.5 = 8 ft3, or 0.296 yd3. That is about 799 lb of sand, or roughly sixteen 50 lb bags.
Example in metric units
A path of 6 m by 3 m with a 5 cm layer is 6 × 3 × 0.05 = 0.9 m3. At 1,600 kg/m3 that is 1,440 kg, shown as 1.44 tonnes.
Irregular areas
Break the outline into rectangles and circles, calculate each, and add the results. If the surface is sloped or uneven, measure the depth at several points and use their average. Any rounding in the final total is best done upward.
Types and uses of sand
| Type | Character | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Play sand | Washed, fine and rounded | Sandboxes and play areas |
| Masonry sand | Fine, sieved and uniform | Mortar, grout joints, bedding |
| Concrete (coarse) sand | Coarse, angular grains | Concrete mixes and paver bedding |
| Paver or leveling sand | Medium, clean | Screeded bed under paving stones |
| Fill sand | Unwashed, variable | Backfilling and raising levels |
Names differ between regions and suppliers, so describe the job when you order and let the yard recommend the grade. Fine play sand is rarely the right choice under pavers, and a coarse concrete sand is uncomfortable in a sandbox.
Why sand weight varies
The calculator assumes dry, loose sand. Real deliveries differ: moisture adds weight, packing removes air and raises the density, and the mineral content of the grains matters. A load that arrives wet can be noticeably heavier than the figure shown, so treat the tonnage as a close estimate rather than a guarantee.
At the assumed density a cubic yard weighs about 2,697 lb, or 1.35 short tons, and a short ton occupies about 0.74 cubic yards. A metric tonne takes up 0.625 m3. For other density-based problems you can use the density calculator.
Buying tips
- Order a little extra, around 5 to 10 percent, to allow for compaction and an uneven base.
- Small amounts come in bags; from about half a cubic yard upward a bulk delivery is usually cheaper per ton, though suppliers set delivery fees and minimums.
- Sand compacts when it is wetted and tamped, so measure the finished depth, not the depth as you spread it.
- Check your base material too: the gravel calculator sizes the stone layer below the sand.
Quantities are planning estimates and not a substitute for the supplier's or engineer's specification. See the disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 2,700 lb, or 1.35 short tons, at the calculator's density of 1,600 kg/m3. Wet sand can weigh considerably more.
How many square feet does a ton of sand cover?
A short ton fills about 20 ft3, so it covers roughly 120 ft2 at 2 inches deep or 60 ft2 at 4 inches deep.
How deep should the sand be under pavers?
A bedding layer of about 1 inch (25 mm) after compaction is common, on top of a compacted stone base. Use the depth of the finished layer in the calculator.
Is a ton the same as a tonne?
No. A US ton is 2,000 lb (about 907 kg) and a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (about 2,205 lb). The calculator uses tons in US units and tonnes in metric units, and the price field follows the same choice.
Cite this calculator and page
If you use this page in your work, you can cite it as:
Reeliy Editorial Team. (2026). Sand Calculator. Reeliy. https://reeliy.com/calculators/sand-calculator“Sand Calculator.” Reeliy, 2026, https://reeliy.com/calculators/sand-calculator.