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
1.83
tons
Raw cubic yards
1.23
Area covered
200
sq ft
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter area (sq ft).
- 2Enter depth (in).
- 3Enter sand density (tons/cu yd).
- 4Enter waste/compaction factor (%).
- 5Read your sand needed on the right — it updates as you type.
- 6Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Sand for a paver base, playground, volleyball court, or bedding layer under a patio is sold and delivered by the ton, and converting your project's footprint into tonnage requires a density figure most people don't carry around in their head. Washed construction sand typically weighs around 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard once you factor in typical moisture content, though damp sand and specialty sands like polymeric jointing sand can run somewhat heavier. This calculator takes your area and target depth, computes cubic yards the same way a concrete or gravel job would, multiplies by the density you specify, and applies a waste factor since sand always compacts down from its loose, delivered volume and a portion is inevitably lost to spillage during spreading and screeding. It's built for paver bedding layers, sandbox fills, sand volleyball courts, and general bedding or leveling sand under hardscape, and it reports both raw cubic yards and the delivered tonnage so you can cross-check either unit against your supplier's quote.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Area: 200 sq ft
- Depth: 2 in
- Sand density: 1.35 tons/cu yd
- Waste/compaction factor: 10 %
Results
- Sand needed: 1.83
- Raw cubic yards: 1.23
- Area covered: 200
What each field means
Inputs
- Area (sq ft)
- The area used in the calculation, measured in sq ft. Starts at 200 sq ft so you have a working example on load.
- Depth (in)
- The depth used in the calculation, measured in in. Starts at 2 in so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0.5–24 in.
- Sand density (tons/cu yd)
- The sand density used in the calculation, measured in tons/cu yd. Starts at 1.35 tons/cu yd so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–2 tons/cu yd.
- Waste/compaction factor (%)
- The waste/compaction factor used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 10 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–25 %.
Results
- Sand needed
- tons
- Raw cubic yards
- Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Area covered
- sq ft
FAQ
How many tons of sand do I need per cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons per cubic yard for typical washed construction or paver bedding sand, though damp sand and specialty jointing sands can weigh somewhat more per yard.
How deep should paver bedding sand be?
A 1-inch compacted layer is the standard bedding depth over a compacted gravel base for most patio and walkway pavers; deeper is not stronger and can actually cause paver rocking.
Does sand need a waste factor like gravel?
Yes, sand compacts noticeably once screeded and walked on, and some is always lost to overspill at the edges of the work area, so a 10% allowance keeps you from running short mid-job.
Is polymeric sand the same as regular paver base sand?
No, polymeric sand is a specialty jointing sand with binders that harden when wet, used to fill the gaps between pavers, while regular sand or stone dust is used as the compacted bedding layer beneath them.
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 Tons Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sand-tons-calculator
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sand-tons-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sand Tons Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Sand Tons Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/sand-tons-calculator) (2026).