Example: bedding sand for a 12 × 12 ft paver patio, 1 in deep
- Area: 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft. Depth: 1 in ÷ 12 = 0.083 ft.
- Volume: 144 × 0.083 = 12 cu ft.
- Add 10% for compaction and screeding: 13.2 cu ft (about 0.49 cu yd).
- Bags: 13.2 ÷ 0.5 cu ft = 26.4, so buy 27 × 50-lb bags.
How it's calculated
- Area: length × width for rectangles, π × (diameter ÷ 2)² for circles — or enter a total area.
- Volume = area × depth (inches ÷ 12 = feet); cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.35 for dry sand.
- Add the compaction allowance and round up: ¼ cu yd in bulk, or whole bags.
Assumptions
- Density 1,600 kg/m³ — about 1.35 US tons (2,700 lb) per cubic yard of dry sand. Damp sand is heavier.
- A 50-lb bag holds about 0.5 cu ft; metric bags are 25 kg.
- 10% extra by default for compaction and screeding.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 2,700 lb (1.35 tons) dry. Damp sand weighs noticeably more, so if you buy by the ton after rain you get a little less volume.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
A 1-inch layer of coarse concrete sand, screeded smooth over a compacted gravel base. Keep it to about an inch — a thicker sand bed lets pavers shift and sink.
How much play sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply length × width × depth. A 5 × 5 ft sandbox filled 12 in deep holds 25 cu ft — about 50 bags of 50 lb, or just under 1 cubic yard.
How many bags of sand make a cubic yard?
About 54 bags of 50 lb (0.5 cu ft each).
How much area does a ton of sand cover?
About 240 sq ft at 1 in deep, or 120 sq ft at 2 in.
Which sand should I buy?
Coarse concrete sand for paver bedding and mixing concrete, play sand for sandboxes, and polymeric sand to lock paver joints. Joint sand is a small amount — the bag lists its coverage by joint width.