Sand Calculator — Cubic Yards & Tons
Calculate how much sand you need in cubic yards and tons from your area and the depth of the layer.
Calculator
A 2.0 in layer over 100 sq ft is about 0.617 cu yd of sand (~0.83 tons). Bedding vs mason vs fill sand differ — confirm the density and product with your supplier.
Sand shows up all over a yard project: as the bedding layer under pavers, as the leveling course over a gravel base, in a play area, or as fill. Whatever the use, the quantity is the familiar area×depth geometry converted to cubic yards, then weighed at a typical density — sand runs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, a bit lighter than crushed gravel.
For a paver project, the paver-base calculator splits the base gravel and the 1 in bedding sand, and the polymeric-sand calculator handles the joint filler.
Formula
Sand volume is area times depth in cubic yards; weight uses the sand density:
cubic yards = area (sq ft) × depth (in) ÷ 324
tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.35
The 324 constant converts square-feet-inches to cubic yards. Bedding, mason and fill sands differ in weight and grade, so 1.35 tons per cubic yard is a labeled typical — confirm the density and the right product with your supplier.
Worked example
For a 100 sq ft area at 2 in deep:
- Volume:
100 × 2 ÷ 324 = 0.617 cu yd - Weight:
0.617 × 1.35 = 0.83 tons
So the layer takes about 0.617 cubic yards of sand, roughly 0.83 tons.
Choosing and ordering sand
Sand notes:
- Match the sand to the job. Coarse, angular concrete/bedding sand locks under pavers; fine mason sand is for mortar; play sand is washed and rounded. They are not interchangeable.
- Bedding sand is thin. Under pavers you only want about a 1 in leveling course — too much sand lets pavers rut and shift.
- Buy a little extra. Sand is easy to lose while screeding and spreading, so round up.
- Price it in bulk. For anything more than a few bags, a bulk yard is cheaper — compare with the bulk-material cost calculator.
Reference table
Cubic yards of material by area and depth (cu yd = area × depth ÷ 324). Bulk materials are usually sold by the cubic yard or ton, so round up and buy about 5–10% extra.
| Depth | 100 sq ft | 300 sq ft | 500 sq ft | 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.31 cu yd | 0.93 cu yd | 1.54 cu yd | 3.09 cu yd |
| 2 in | 0.62 cu yd | 1.85 cu yd | 3.09 cu yd | 6.17 cu yd |
| 3 in | 0.93 cu yd | 2.78 cu yd | 4.63 cu yd | 9.26 cu yd |
| 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | 3.70 cu yd | 6.17 cu yd | 12.35 cu yd |
| 6 in | 1.85 cu yd | 5.56 cu yd | 9.26 cu yd | 18.52 cu yd |
See the full breakdown, including bags per cubic yard, on the material-coverage table.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need?
100 × 2 ÷ 324 = 0.617 cubic yards, about 0.83 tons.