Sand Calculator
Free sand calculator: estimate how much sand you need by volume (cubic yards / cubic meters), weight in tons, and number of bags — for concrete sand, masonry sand, fill sand, play sand, paver base sand, and pool filter sand. Works in imperial and metric.
- Sand — you are in the right place: bulk sand by type, density, bags, and pool filter sand.
- Gravel / crushed stone / pea gravel → gravel calculator (different densities, multi-layer base).
- Poured concrete (slabs, footings) → concrete calculator.
- Mulch for garden beds → mulch calculator.
- You already know the volume and just want tons ↔ cubic yards → cubic yards to tons converter.
- Kids' sandbox kit (sandbox lumber, weed barrier, cover, drainage) → our sibling sandbox-size-calculator page — this page covers the sand volume itself.
Project Estimator — area × depth to tons and bags
Results
Area: —
Loose volume: —
Order volume (waste + compaction): —
Weight: —
Bags (rounded up): —
Bulk order: —
Tip: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. A 50-lb bag of all-purpose sand covers about 0.5 ft³, so there are 54 bags per cubic yard. Density defaults come from published producer data (see Sand Types tab) — always confirm the weight per yard with your supplier, because moisture changes everything.
Sand types and published densities
Default bulk densities below are typical published values (see sources). Real sand varies with moisture, gradation, and quarry — the Project Estimator tab lets you edit the density to match your supplier's ticket. Use the sand-type selector in the Project Estimator tab as your concrete sand calculator, masonry sand calculator, or fill sand calculator: the density preset follows the type you pick.
| Sand type | lb / yd³ | lb / ft³ | kg / m³ | 50-lb bag covers | bags / yd³ |
|---|
Masonry sand is the lightest common bagged sand here: a 50-lb bag of QUIKRETE Mason Sand holds about 0.6 ft³ (45 bags per cubic yard), while all-purpose sand packs 0.5 ft³ per 50-lb bag (54 per yard). Concrete sand and paver base sand sit in the middle.
Pool filter sand calculator
How much sand does your pool filter need? Pick your filter model — sand amounts below are the manufacturers' published figures for standard #20 silica filter sand.
Sand required: —
Bags to buy: —
—
Use only #20 silica pool filter sand — never play sand or masonry sand in a filter. Fill to about two-thirds of the tank (the exact fill line is in your filter manual). Sand itself does not wear out: replace it only if it channels, clumps, or stays dirty after backwashing.
Bag vs bulk cost estimator
Is bulk sand cheaper than bags? Almost always, once the project is big enough to absorb the delivery fee — but compare with your local prices. Example: a 0.5-ft³ bag at $4.50 costs $$243.00 per cubic yard (54 bags), versus $65 per yard bulk — bulk wins above 0.45 yd³ with an $80 delivery fee.
Bags: —
Bulk: —
—
Frequently asked questions
How much sand for a 10x12 patio base?
Worked example at 1 inch deep: area = 10 x 12 = 120 sq ft. How much sand per square foot at 1 inch deep: 0.0833 ft3, so loose volume = 120 x 1/12 = 10 ft3 = 0.3704 yd3. Add 10% waste: 11 ft3 = 0.4074 yd3. With all-purpose sand (2,700 lb/yd3) that is 1100 lb = 0.55 US tons, or 22 standard 50-lb bags (each covers 0.5 ft3, rounded up). Bulk suppliers round to half yards, so order 0.5 yd3.
How many tons of sand do I need?
If you are asking how much sand do I need in tons: convert cubic yards of sand to tons by multiplying by the density. How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh: between 2250 and 2700 lb depending on type (1.125 to 1.35 US tons/yd3) — masonry sand is lightest, all-purpose and concrete sand heaviest. Example: the 0.4074-yd3 patio above is 0.55 US tons (0.499 metric tonnes). Because real densities vary with moisture, the calculator lets you edit the density.
How many 50 lb bags of sand per cubic yard?
It depends on the sand type, because bag coverage follows density. How many cubic feet in a 50 lb bag of sand: 0.5 ft3 for all-purpose sand, 0.6 ft3 for lighter masonry sand. So how many bags of sand make a cubic yard: 54 bags of all-purpose sand, 45 of masonry sand (27 / coverage, always rounded up).
How much sand do I need for a pool filter?
This pool filter sand calculator (a sand calculator for pool filters) uses the manufacturers' published figures for #20 silica sand: Pentair Sand Dollar SD40 needs 150 lb = 3 x 50-lb bags; Hayward Sand Master SM2106T needs 225 lb = 5 bags; Hayward ProSeries S310T2 needs 500 lb = 10 bags. Use only #20 silica pool filter sand — never play or masonry sand — and fill to about two-thirds of the tank.
How much sand for pool filter sand change — and how often?
The amount is whatever your filter model calls for (see the Pool tab — e.g. 150 lb for a Pentair SD40). As for frequency: sand itself does not wear out, so there is no mandatory replacement interval. Replace it only if it channels, clumps, or stays dirty after backwashing; regular backwashing is the real maintenance.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
As a paver bedding sand calculator: how much sand under pavers is 1 inch of coarse concrete sand or paver base sand over a compacted aggregate base — for a 10x12 ft patio that is the 10 ft3 (0.3704 yd3) from the worked example above. Joint sand between pavers is a separate job (polymeric or fine jointing sand, sold by coverage per bag), not bulk bedding.
Play sand calculator for sandbox — can I use this one?
Yes for the sand volume itself: a play sand calculator for a sandbox is the same math — area x depth, then bags (play sand is the all-purpose preset, 2,700 lb/yd3, 50-lb bag = 0.5 ft3). For the wooden box itself — sandbox lumber, weed barrier, cover, and drainage — see our sibling sandbox-size-calculator page.
How do I convert cubic yards of sand to metric?
1 cubic yard = 0.7646 m3. All-purpose sand is about 1601.85 kg/m3, so the 0.4074-yd3 patio order is 0.3115 m3 = 498.95 kg (0.499 metric tonnes). Circle example: a 6-ft-diameter bed at 4 inches (28.2743 sq ft) is 0.3491 yd3. Switch the estimator to Metric to enter meters and centimeters directly.
Does sand compact, and how much extra should I order?
Yes — this doubles as a sand compaction calculator and a sand waste factor calculator. Practical rule of thumb: add 5-10% waste for spillage and uneven ground, plus a 10-15% compaction allowance if the sand will be compacted (the Compaction field divides by 1 minus the percentage). Example: 10 ft3 loose with 10% compaction needs 11.11 ft3 ordered.
Is this different from a gravel, concrete, or mulch calculator?
Yes — different materials, different densities and bag math. Crushed stone and pea gravel go in the gravel calculator; poured slabs and footings in the concrete calculator; garden beds in the mulch calculator; and if you already know the volume, the cubic yards to tons converter does the pure unit math. This page is sand only: six sand types, bag coverage, and pool filter sand.
Free tool by nrtechstudio.com
Free tool by NRTechStudio