Sand Calculator
Estimate sand tonnage and cost for paver bedding, sandbox fills, masonry mortar, and drainage sand layers — with type recommendations for each use.
Sand Calculator
Enter project dimensions below — results update instantly. Switch units freely.
Estimates assume typical industry density and waste factors. Always verify with your supplier and local building code before purchasing material.
Not All Sand Is the Same — Three Types to Know
Order ‘sand’ at a supplier and they'll ask ‘what type?’ Saying ‘just regular sand’ will get you whatever they have a lot of — which may be the wrong product for your use.
- Concrete / mortar sand — washed, sharp-edged, clean. For mixing concrete, mortar, grout. Sold by the ton.
- Mason / brick sand — finely screened, uniform. For bricklaying mortar and tuckpointing. Slightly more expensive than concrete sand.
- Paver sand / bedding sand — coarse, angular, clean. For setting pavers and flagstone. ~1-inch thick layer under pavers.
- Polymeric sand — finer with polymer binders. For filling paver joints after installation; hardens when watered.
- Fill sand (bank run) — unwashed, variable. Cheapest option for pool backfill and rough grading only.
- Play sand — washed and sifted for sandboxes. Often bagged at big-box stores.
Using concrete sand for paver bedding works fine. Using mason sand for concrete weakens the mix because it's too fine.
Sand Volume and Bag Math
Dry sand density:
- Loose/dry: 95-100 lb/ft³
- Damp: 105-115 lb/ft³ (water adds weight)
- Saturated/wet: 120-130 lb/ft³
For ordering, use dry/loose density (100 lb/ft³). Sand coming from a wet pit gets heavier but the tonnage on the ticket is still based on loose fill.
Bag equivalents:
- 50-lb bag of play sand ≈ 0.5 ft³
- 60 bags of 50-lb ≈ 1 cubic yard
- Large 1-ton ‘sandbag tote’ ≈ 18-20 ft³
For projects over 3 cubic yards, always buy bulk by the ton at a landscape supplier — bagged sand runs $150-300 per equivalent ton vs. $25-45 at a yard.
| Sand Type | Gradation | Best Use | Typical Price/ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paver / Bedding sand | Coarse, 1/8 in | Paver and flagstone setting | $32-48 |
| Concrete sand | Washed, 1/4 in top | Concrete and mortar mix | $28-42 |
| Mason sand | Fine, 1/16 in | Brick and block mortar | $38-55 |
| Polymeric sand | Very fine + binder | Paver joint filler | $1-2 per lb bag |
| Fill sand (bank run) | Unwashed, varies | Pool backfill, pipe bedding | $20-30 |
| Play sand (washed) | Fine, round | Sandboxes, volleyball courts | $5-8 per 50-lb bag |
| Torpedo sand | Coarse, washed | Horse arenas, drainage | $30-45 |
| Stone dust / screenings | Very fine crushed | Leveling base for pavers | $18-28 |
Prices at quarry gate (2026). Delivery adds $60-180 per truck. Bagged retail is 3-5× bulk pricing.
| Depth | ft² per Ton | ft² per yd³ | Tons per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 in | 480 ft² | 648 ft² | 0.21 tons |
| 1 in | 240 ft² | 324 ft² | 0.42 tons |
| 2 in | 120 ft² | 162 ft² | 0.83 tons |
| 3 in | 80 ft² | 108 ft² | 1.25 tons |
| 4 in | 60 ft² | 81 ft² | 1.67 tons |
| 6 in | 40 ft² | 54 ft² | 2.5 tons |
Based on 100 lb/ft³ dry density. Paver bedding typically 1 inch; sandbox typically 4-6 in; masonry mortar estimates use cubic feet per bag.
Real-World Example Calculations
Paver Patio Bedding 14 × 18 ft @ 1 in
Sand bedding layer under concrete pavers for a backyard patio.
- Length × Width
- 18 × 14 ft
- Depth
- 1 in
- Sand type
- Paver sand
Takeaway: Single pickup-truck load or 4-5 wheelbarrows. Screed to 1-inch thickness over compacted base.
Sandbox Fill 8 × 8 × 8 in deep
New sandbox for backyard play set.
- Length × Width
- 8 × 8 ft
- Depth
- 8 in
- Sand type
- Play sand
Takeaway: Bulk order saves $400+ vs bagged. Get a ½-cubic-yard delivery for a playset this size.
Pool Backfill 18 × 36 × 4 ft
In-ground pool backfill after pool removal.
- Length × Width
- 36 × 18 ft
- Depth
- 48 in (4 ft)
- Sand type
- Fill sand
Takeaway: Multi-truck delivery. Sand compacts more predictably than fill dirt for pool removal. Add 2 ft topsoil over sand for lawn restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need?
For 1-inch paver bedding: 0.42 tons per 100 ft². For 4-inch sandbox: 1.67 tons per 100 ft². Use this calculator for your exact dimensions.
What type of sand for a paver patio?
Paver sand / bedding sand — coarse, 1/8-in washed sand. ASTM C33 concrete sand also works. Do NOT use mason sand (too fine) or play sand (too round). Install as a 1-inch layer over compacted base.
How much sand is in a bag?
A 50-lb bag of play sand holds approximately 0.5 cubic feet. 60 × 50-lb bags = 1 cubic yard. Large 1-ton totes hold 18-20 ft³.
How much does sand cost?
Bulk at quarry: $20-45 per ton depending on type. Delivered: $40-75 per ton. Bagged play sand: $5-8 per 50-lb bag ($200-320 per equivalent ton). Always bulk-buy anything over 1 ton.
How deep should sand be under pavers?
1 inch, screeded level over compacted aggregate base. Thicker than 1 inch, pavers settle unevenly; thinner than 1 inch, pavers rest on base irregularities and rock. Never use sand instead of the aggregate base — sand alone can't support vehicle loads.
Can I use play sand for concrete?
No — play sand is washed to remove the fines that concrete needs for proper particle packing. Use concrete sand (ASTM C33) or specified mortar sand. Using play sand produces weak, crumbly concrete that fails under load.
How much sand for a horse arena?
Standard 70 × 140 ft arena (9,800 ft²) at 4-in depth: ~163 tons of torpedo sand or riding-arena-specific sand. Most arenas add a fiber or engineered footing product on top for extra cushion and stability.