Sand Calculator

Calculate tons of sand for play areas, masonry, or fill by area and depth.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: HomeAdvisor

ft
ft
in
Sand Type

Cubic Yards

0.93

Tons Needed

1.20

Estimated Cost

$30.09

Sand Calculation

Coverage Area150 sq ft
Volume25.0 cu ft
Cubic Yards0.93
Tons1.20
50-lb Bags49
Material Cost ($25/ton)$30.09

Sand Pricing Guide

Play Sand: $25/ton

Masonry Sand: $40/ton

Fill Sand: $20/ton

Use the Sand Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only. Results are estimates from the numbers you enter and the assumptions described on this page; check them against local building codes, product specifications and current prices, and have structural, electrical or gas work designed or checked by a licensed professional.

How It Works

Ordering sand for a play area, a masonry job, or general fill comes down to knowing how many tons the space actually swallows. Guess low and you halt mid-project; guess high and bags sit unused. The calculator prices it at $25 a ton for play sand, $40 for masonry sand and $20 for fill sand, fixed planning rates to compare with your supplier's price.

The math starts with volume: length times width gives the surface area, and multiplying by your chosen depth yields the cubic measurement. That figure is converted to cubic yards and then to tons, applying a sand density of 1.3 tons (2,600 lb) per cubic yard; the weight is also shown as 50-lb bags.

Pad your final number by 10 to 15% to cover waste, compaction, and ground that never sits perfectly level. Depth is where most orders go wrong, particularly in play areas, where the surface settles and compacts noticeably over time. Take depth readings at several points across the project so a single shallow corner doesn't skew the whole estimate.

Calculating Sand for a Backyard Play Area

  1. 1 Input: a sandbox 10 feet long and 8 feet wide, filled 12 inches deep with play sand.
  2. 2 Volume: 10 × 8 × (12 ÷ 12) = 80 cubic feet, and 80 ÷ 27 = 2.96 cubic yards. Weight: 2.96 × 1.3 = 3.85 tons, or 7,704 lb, which is 155 bags of 50 lb.
  3. 3 Cost: 3.85 tons × $25 a ton = $96.30 for play sand, before delivery.
  4. 4 Adding a 10% buffer for waste and settling brings the order to about 4.24 tons. Confirm the weight per cubic yard with your supplier, since damp sand is heavier.

Source: HomeAdvisor · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sand do I need for a paver base?
For a paver base, you need a 1-inch layer of bedding sand. Multiply your area in square feet by 0.083 (1 inch in feet), then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 200 sq ft patio needs about 0.62 cubic yards, or 0.80 tons at the calculator's 1.3 tons per cubic yard.
How many pounds of sand are in a cubic yard?
Dry sand weighs approximately 2,600-2,800 pounds per cubic yard. Wet sand is heavier at 3,000-3,400 pounds per cubic yard due to water filling the air pockets between grains.
What type of sand should I use for a sandbox?
Use washed play sand that is specifically labeled for sandbox use. Avoid masonry sand or fill sand which may contain silica dust, clay, or other impurities. An 8 × 8 ft sandbox filled 12 inches deep holds 64 cubic feet (2.37 cubic yards), about 3.1 tons at the calculator's 1.3 tons per cubic yard.

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