Field Guide
How Much Sand Do I Need? Pavers, Pools & Sandboxes
Bulk sand is sold by the ton, sometimes by the yard; bagged sand by the 50 lb bag. Work out the volume from your measurements, add a little for compaction, then convert to weight.
1. How to Calculate Sand (The Math Explained)
Here's the exact process this calculator uses, with a 16 × 12 ft paver patio and a 1 in bedding layer as the example.
-
1
Find the area and convert depth to feet
Multiply length by width (or π × radius² for a round pool base). Divide the depth in inches by 12.
Area = 16 ft × 12 ft = 192 sq ft Depth = 1 in ÷ 12 = 0.0833 ft -
2
Multiply for cubic feet, then add compaction
Sand packs down when it's screeded, tamped or wetted. 10% covers compaction and spillage.
Cubic Feet = 192 × 0.0833 = 16 ft³ With 10% = 16 × 1.10 = 17.6 ft³ → 17.6 ÷ 27 = 0.65 yd³ -
3
Convert to tons and bags
Multiply cubic feet by the sand's weight per cubic foot and divide by 2,000. A 50 lb bag holds about half a cubic foot.
Pounds = 17.6 ft³ × 105 lbs/ft³ = 1,848 lbs Tons = 1,848 ÷ 2,000 = 0.92 tons 50 lb bags = 17.6 ÷ 0.5 = 35.2 → 36 bags
Quick sand conversions
- 1 cubic yard of dry sand ≈ 1.35 tons (100 lbs per cubic foot)
- 1 ton of dry sand ≈ 20 cubic feet ≈ 0.74 cubic yards
- 1 cubic yard ≈ 54 bags of 50 lb; 1 ton = 40 bags of 50 lb
- Damp sand weighs 10–20% more than dry sand
2. Types of Sand
Sand is graded by particle size and how clean it is. Using the wrong one causes problems: fine play sand under pavers lets them shift, and coarse concrete sand makes gritty mortar. Weights are typical dry, loose values.
| Sand | Lbs / ft³ | Tons / yd³ | Best uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Sand (C33) | ≈ 105 | 1.42 | Coarse, washed sand. Bedding layer under pavers, mixing concrete. |
| Mason Sand | ≈ 100 | 1.35 | Fine, smooth sand. Mortar, above-ground pool bases, finish work. |
| Play Sand | ≈ 100 | 1.35 | Washed and screened fine sand sold for sandboxes and play areas. |
| Fill Sand | ≈ 100 | 1.35 | Unwashed sand for filling, backfill and pipe bedding. Compact it in layers. |
3. How Deep Should Sand Be?
Sand layers are usually thin and precise. These are common starting points; follow your paver or pool manufacturer's instructions where they differ.
1 in
Paver Bedding
Concrete sand screeded over a compacted gravel base. Thicker bedding layers let pavers settle unevenly.
2 in
Above-Ground Pool Base
Mason sand over level, compacted ground, smoothed before the liner goes in.
8–12 in
Sandboxes
Play sand deep enough to dig in, with a few inches of freeboard below the rim.
4–6 in lifts
Fill & Backfill
Place and compact fill sand in layers. For pipe bedding, follow your local code or utility's specification.
Pro tip: buy by the ton, think in yards
Suppliers quote sand by the ton, but your project is a volume. One cubic yard of dry sand is roughly 1.35 tons, so a "3-ton" load fills a little over 2 cubic yards.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
How many tons of sand are in a cubic yard?
Dry sand weighs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard (100 lbs per cubic foot). Coarse concrete sand runs a little heavier, about 1.42 tons. Damp sand can weigh 10–20% more, so a supplier's scale may show a bit more weight for the same volume.
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Pavers sit on a 1 in bedding layer of concrete sand over a compacted gravel base. For every 100 sq ft that's 8.3 cubic feet, or about 0.31 cubic yards (roughly 0.44 tons of concrete sand). Add about 10% for screeding and spillage.
How many 50 lb bags of sand make a yard?
A 50 lb bag holds about half a cubic foot, so a cubic yard (27 cubic feet) takes about 54 bags, and a ton takes 40 bags. Past about a cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually far cheaper.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply length × width × depth. A 6 × 6 ft sandbox filled 10 in deep holds 30 cubic feet: about 1.1 cubic yards, 1.5 tons, or 60 bags of 50 lb play sand. Use play sand that's washed and sold for sandboxes.
How much sand do I need for an above-ground pool base?
Use the circle setting with your pool's diameter. A 24 ft round pool with a 2 in base needs 75.4 cubic feet: about 2.8 cubic yards or 3.8 tons of mason sand, or about 4.1 tons with 10% extra. Follow your pool maker's base instructions.
What is the difference between concrete sand, mason sand and play sand?
Concrete sand (ASTM C33) is coarse and washed; it drains well and locks pavers in place. Mason sand is finer and smoother, for mortar and pool bases. Play sand is fine sand washed and screened for sandboxes. Fill sand is unwashed and used for filling and backfill.
Can I use play sand under pavers?
It isn't recommended. Play sand is too fine and rounded to lock pavers in place, and it holds water. Use coarse concrete sand for the bedding layer and polymeric or jointing sand between the pavers.