# Sand Calculator: Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags

> Calculate how many cubic yards, tons or bags of sand you need for a paver bed, sandbox, volleyball court or leveling layer.

**Quick answer:** A 4 × 4 ft sandbox filled 8 inches deep needs about 0.4 cubic yards of sand, roughly 0.5 tons or 21 bags of 50-lb sand. Formula: area × depth (inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards; dry sand weighs about 1.3 tons per cubic yard.

_Last updated: October 3, 2026. Estimates only; confirm quantities with your supplier._

## How much sand do I need?

Sand is ordered by the **cubic yard** or by the **ton**. Get the volume first, then convert to weight with the sand's density.

```
cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in ÷ 12) ÷ 27
tons = cubic yards × 1.3 (dry) to 1.6 (wet)
```

### Sand needed per 100 square feet

| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (damp, 1.4) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 in | 0.31 | 0.43 |
| 2 in | 0.62 | 0.86 |
| 4 in | 1.23 | 1.73 |
| 6 in | 1.85 | 2.59 |
| 8 in | 2.47 | 3.46 |
| 12 in | 3.70 | 5.19 |

### Common sand depths

| Project | Depth | Sand type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Paver bedding layer | 1 in | Coarse concrete sand |
| Sandbox | 6–12 in | Washed play sand |
| Leveling under sod | 1–2 in | Coarse topdressing sand |
| Volleyball court | 12–24 in | Washed volleyball sand |
| Mortar and masonry | — | Masonry sand (fine, screened) |

### Which sand to buy?

**Concrete (coarse) sand** compacts well under pavers and slabs. **Play sand** is washed and fine, for sandboxes. **Masonry sand** is fine and screened, for mortar. **Polymeric sand** is a different product swept into paver joints. Avoid stone dust under pavers — it holds water.

For a full patio build, the [paver calculator](../paver-calculator/) includes sand and base gravel together; for the stone base use the [gravel calculator](../gravel-calculator/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?

Dry sand weighs about 2,600 lb (1.3 tons) per cubic yard; wet sand can reach 3,200 lb (1.6 tons).

### How many 50-lb bags of sand are in a cubic yard?

About 52 bags of dry sand (2,600 lb ÷ 50). Bags are practical under about half a yard; bulk is cheaper beyond that.

### How much sand do I need for a sandbox?

A 4 × 4 ft sandbox filled 8 inches deep needs about 0.4 cubic yards — roughly 0.5 tons, or about 21 bags of 50-lb dry sand (23 with 10% extra).

### What kind of sand for pavers?

Use coarse, washed concrete sand for the bedding layer. Avoid fine play sand or stone dust, which can wash out and hold water.

### How much does sand settle?

Expect about 10% compaction when it's tamped or watered, which is why 10% extra is included by default.

### How much sand is in a ton?

A ton of dry sand is about 0.77 cubic yards (20.8 cubic feet).

### How much does sand cost?

Bulk sand typically costs about $20–$45 per ton at a supply yard; bagged play sand is more expensive per pound.

### Can I use beach sand?

Not for construction or sandboxes: it contains salt and fines. Buy washed construction or play sand.

## Sources and further reading

- [Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute](https://www.icpi.org/) — ICPI: paver, base and bedding guidance
- [NIST Special Publication 811: conversion factors](https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-appendix-b-conversion-factors) — National Institute of Standards and Technology