Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Sand needed (tons)
1.04
Cubic yards
0.77
Estimated cost
$33
Weight (lb)
2,083
Psst — share this and help Rex grow
One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter area (sq ft).
- 2Enter depth (in).
- 3Enter price per ton ($).
- 4Read your sand needed (tons) on the right — it updates as you type.
- 5Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Dry sand runs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard. A one-inch levelling bed under pavers is standard; deeper than that and you invite settling.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Area: 250 sq ft
- Depth: 1 in
- Price per ton: 32 $
Results
- Sand needed (tons): 1.04
- Cubic yards: 0.77
- Estimated cost: $33.33
- Weight (lb): 2,083.33
What each field means
Inputs
- Area (sq ft)
- The area used in the calculation, measured in sq ft. Starts at 250 sq ft so you have a working example on load.
- Depth (in)
- The depth used in the calculation, measured in in. Starts at 1 in so you have a working example on load.
- Price per ton ($)
- The price per ton used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 32 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Sand needed (tons)
- Returned as a decimal number and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Cubic yards
- Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Estimated cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Weight (lb)
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
How does the sand calculator work?
Dry sand runs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard. A one-inch levelling bed under pavers is standard; deeper than that and you invite settling. The underlying maths is: Cubic yards = Area × Depth (ft) ÷ 27. Tons = Yards × 1.35.
What do I need to enter?
3 values: area, depth, and price per ton. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move.
What does the sand needed (tons) result mean?
It is returned as a decimal number and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds.
Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?
Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser.
How accurate is the result?
It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
Who is this tool for?
It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Sand Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sand
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sand Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Sand Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sand) (2026).