Sand Calculator

Dry loose sand weighs approximately 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, which equals 1.35 US short tons. Wet or compacted sand is heavier — up to 1.5 tons/yd³. Mason sand and fine play sand are on the lighter end; coarse construction sand is on the heavier end.

Use exactly 1 inch of sand as the bedding layer for pavers — this is the industry standard. Too much sand (over 1.5 inches) causes pavers to shift and sink. The depth your calculator should include is: 6 inches of compacted gravel base + 1 inch of sand + paver thickness.

Most children sandboxes need 6–12 inches of play sand depth. A 4 ft × 6 ft sandbox at 6 inches deep requires 12 cubic feet or about 0.44 cubic yards. Use washed play sand (not construction sand) in sandboxes — it is rounded, dust-free, and safe for children.

Play sand is washed, rounded, and dust-reduced — safe for children and ideal for sandboxes. Construction sand (sharp sand, concrete sand) has angular particles that interlock and compact — used for paver bases, mortar, and drainage. Mason sand is finer and used for tuck-pointing and smooth mortar. Never use construction sand in a sandbox.

Multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to get US short tons (e.g., 5 yd³ × 1.35 = 6.75 tons). For metric, multiply cubic meters by 1.46 to get metric tonnes. Sand is often sold by the ton for large orders and by the bag for small projects.

Yes — order 10–15% extra. Sand compacts after installation, especially when wet, and some is always lost to spillage and uneven distribution. For paver bases, compact the sand before laying pavers, which will reduce the depth by 10–20%.

Bulk sand costs $10–$40 per ton depending on type and location. Play sand costs the most ($25–$40/ton), masonry sand runs $15–$30/ton, and fill sand is the cheapest ($10–$20/ton). Bagged sand costs significantly more per cubic foot — typically $5–$8 per 50-lb bag.