Sand Calculator
Work out how much sand you need for paver bedding, a leveling layer or fill, in cubic yards, tons and cost. The calculator starts with a typical paver bedding depth and sand weight.
Where sand is used
Sand is used as a thin leveling bed under pavers, as fill under and around concrete and in play areas. Each use needs a different grade and depth, which is why this page asks for the depth you plan to use and starts at a single inch for paver bedding.
The volume calculation is area times depth, the same as the gravel calculator. What differs is the depth and the weight.
Paver bedding sand
For the layer under pavers, the common guidance is about 1 inch after compaction, spread evenly over a compacted stone base and levelled with a screed board. Installers usually specify a coarse bedding sand, not play sand or masonry sand. Ask your supplier which grade is right for the pavers you are using.
A thin layer needs only a small amount, so the quantity is often counted in tenths of a cubic yard, or sold in bags for a small patio.
Sand weight changes with moisture
Dry sand is lighter than damp sand, and heavy rain before delivery can add a noticeable amount of weight. If you are buying by the ton, order by weight with that in mind, and if you are buying by the cubic yard, the weight matters less. The density box is editable for this reason.
How far does a ton go?
At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, one ton is about 20 cubic feet. At a depth of 1 inch it covers roughly 240 sq ft. At 2 inches it covers about half of that.
Worked example
A patio 12 ft by 12 ft with a 1 inch bedding layer of sand, 10 percent extra and 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
- Area: 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
- Volume: 144 × (1 ÷ 12) = 12 cu ft, which is 0.44 cu yd
- With 10 percent extra: 0.49 cu yd
- Weight: 0.49 × 1.35 = 0.66 tons
That is a small amount, under half a cubic yard, so it may be easier to buy in bags.
Questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand is typically around 2,700 pounds per cubic yard, which is about 1.35 tons. Wet sand is heavier, so the same volume can weigh noticeably more after rain. The calculator starts at 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Use your supplier's figure if it differs.
What sand do I use under pavers?
Installers commonly specify a coarse bedding sand for the layer under pavers, not play sand or masonry sand. Ask your supplier or the paver manufacturer which grade they recommend, because the wrong one can hold water or settle unevenly.
How thick should the sand layer under pavers be?
Around 1 inch after compaction is the common guidance for paver bedding sand. If it is too thin it may not support the pavers evenly, and if it is too thick it can shift and let them settle. Many guides say not to compact the sand layer itself, because the pavers compact it when they are bedded in.
Does the sand need extra for compaction?
Bedding sand is spread slightly thicker than its finished depth and settles when the pavers are bedded in. The extra allowance field covers that and normal waste. Ask your installer how much extra they allow.
Can I use this for a sandbox or play area?
The volume calculation is the same. For play areas, follow the manufacturer's or safety guidance for depth and for the type of sand to use, because those depend on the equipment and the age of the children.