Sand Calculator
Sand Calculator
Ordering the right amount of sand for a project — a paver base, a sandbox, or a drainage layer — depends on getting the volume of the area right, then converting that volume into the weight suppliers actually sell by. Enter the length, width, and depth of the area you're covering, and this calculator works out both the volume and the estimated weight in cubic yards and tons (or cubic meters and tonnes). Because sand density varies by type and moisture content, treat the result as a solid starting estimate rather than an exact order quantity.
- Imperial: Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27; Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.35. Example: 15×10 ft at 2 in = 0.93 cubic yards ≈ 1.25 tons.
- Metric: Cubic Meters = Length × Width × (Depth in cm ÷ 100); Tonnes = Cubic Meters × 1.5. Example: 4.5×3 m at 5 cm = 0.675 m³ ≈ 1.01 tonnes.
- Density is an estimate in both systems for typical building/sharp sand.
How deep should paver base sand be?
A common bedding layer is about 1 inch, in addition to a separate compacted gravel base underneath.
Does wet sand weigh more?
Yes — moisture content can noticeably increase sand's weight per cubic yard, so treat this as an estimate.
Sand Calculator
Ordering the right amount of sand for a project — a paver base, a sandbox, or a drainage layer — depends on getting the volume of the area right, then converting that volume into the weight suppliers actually sell by. Enter the length, width, and depth of the area you're covering, and this calculator works out both the volume and the estimated weight in cubic yards and tons (or cubic meters and tonnes). Because sand density varies by type and moisture content, treat the result as a solid starting estimate rather than an exact order quantity.
- Imperial: Cubic Yards = (Length × Width × Depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27; Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.35. Example: 15×10 ft at 2 in = 0.93 cubic yards ≈ 1.25 tons.
- Metric: Cubic Meters = Length × Width × (Depth in cm ÷ 100); Tonnes = Cubic Meters × 1.5. Example: 4.5×3 m at 5 cm = 0.675 m³ ≈ 1.01 tonnes.
- Density is an estimate in both systems for typical building/sharp sand.
How deep should paver base sand be?
A common bedding layer is about 1 inch, in addition to a separate compacted gravel base underneath.
Does wet sand weigh more?
Yes — moisture content can noticeably increase sand's weight per cubic yard, so treat this as an estimate.