Sand calculator
How much sand do I need?
Estimate sand volume in cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons for paver bases, sandboxes, and construction projects.
Sand calculator
Sand calculator result
Sand types and uses
- Concrete sand: Coarse sand used in concrete mixes and as a base for pavers
- Play sand: Fine, clean sand for sandboxes and playgrounds
- Mason sand: Fine sand for mortar and paver joints
- Fill sand: Used for backfill and grading, may contain small stones
Different sand types have slightly different weights. The calculator uses 1.35 tons per cubic yard as an average for damp sand.
Worked example
For example, for a 10×8 ft paver base, 1 inch of sand over 4 inches of gravel:
- Area = 10 × 8 = 80 sq ft
- Sand volume = 80 × (1 ÷ 12) = 6.67 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 6.67 ÷ 27 = 0.25 yd³
- Weight = 0.25 × 1.35 = 0.34 tons
- Order 0.5 tons to have extra for screeding and leveling
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Using the wrong sand type | Concrete/paver sand, not play sand — it has angular grains that lock together |
| Skipping the gravel base | Sand alone is not enough — 4 inches of compacted gravel is needed under sand for patios |
| Not screeding level | Use 1-inch PVC pipes as guides to screed the sand perfectly flat before laying pavers |