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Sand Calculator Guide
Whether you're bedding a paver patio, mixing mortar, or filling a sandbox, this calculator tells you how much sand to buy in tons and cubic yards from your area and depth, plus an optional cost estimate.
Cubic yards = (length × width × depth in feet) ÷ 27, then tons = cubic yards × density (sand is about 1.35 tons per cubic yard).
How Much Sand Do I Need?
Multiply length by width for the area, multiply by the depth in feet for cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 to get tons. For a paver base, a 1-inch bedding layer of sand is standard over a compacted gravel base.
Common Sand Depths
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | 1 inch |
| Under a sandbox | fill to desired depth |
| Leveling / fill | varies by project |
| Pool base | 2–3 inches |
Worked Example
For a 20 ft × 10 ft paver patio with a 1-inch sand bed: area = 200 sq ft; volume = 200 × (1÷12) = 16.7 cubic feet; cubic yards = 16.7 ÷ 27 = 0.62 yd³; tons = 0.62 × 1.35 = 0.83 tons. Order about 1 ton to be safe.
Tips
- Order 5–10% extra for spillage and uneven ground.
- Compact your gravel base first, then screed the sand to a level 1-inch layer.
- Use the right sand: coarse bedding sand for pavers, not fine play sand, which shifts under load.
Building a patio? Pair this with our Paver Calculator and Gravel Calculator for the base layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 to get tons of sand.
How much paver sand for a patio?
Use a 1-inch bedding layer: multiply the patio area by 1/12 foot, divide by 27, and multiply by 1.35 for tons.
How deep should paver sand be?
About 1 inch of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base is standard for patios and walkways.
How do I convert sand cubic yards to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by roughly 1.35 — the approximate density of sand — to get the weight in tons.
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