Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand you need for a paver base, sandbox, or leveling layer. Get the volume in cubic yards, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 50 lb bags.
Sand calculator
Volume is exact geometry. Weights and bag counts assume typical densities and bag yields — treat them as an estimate, not a quote.
How to use it
- Measure the length and width of the area in feet.
- Set the depth in inches.
- Pick the material, then read off the cubic yards (and bags or tons) you need.
The calculator multiplies area by depth for an exact volume, then converts to cubic yards and estimates weight or bag count from typical material figures.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sand do I need?
- Multiply the area by the depth and convert to cubic yards. The calculator also estimates the weight in tons and the number of 50 lb bags.
- How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
- A 50 lb bag of sand holds roughly 0.5 cubic feet, so about 54 bags fill a cubic yard (27 cubic feet).
- How deep should paver sand be?
- About 1 inch of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base is typical for pavers.