How to calculate sand
Multiply the area by the depth in the same unit to get volume, then convert to cubic yards (cubic feet ÷ 27) or cubic meters. Add about 10% because sand compacts when it is wetted and tamped.
Worked example: a 1 in sand bed under a 10 × 10 ft patio
100 sq ft × 1/12 ft = 8.3 cubic feet. With 10% extra that is 9.2 cubic feet, or 19 bags of 0.5 cu ft.
How much does sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs roughly 1.3–1.5 tons per cubic yard (1.5–1.7 tonnes per m³), and wet sand weighs more. Suppliers often sell bulk sand by the ton, so the calculator shows an approximate weight you can adjust.
Which sand for which job?
| Job | Sand | Typical depth |
|---|---|---|
| Bedding under pavers | Coarse concrete sand | About 1 in (2.5 cm) |
| Filling paver joints | Polymeric or fine jointing sand | Joints only |
| Sandbox | Washed play sand | 12 in (30 cm) or more |
| Leveling under pools or sheds | Mason or leveling sand, per the installer | 2–4 in (5–10 cm) |
Laying a patio? The paver calculator works out pavers, base gravel and bedding sand together. Avoid fine play sand under pavers. It holds water and lets pavers shift.