Landscaping
Sand Calculator
Calculate how much sand you need for paver bases, sandboxes, drainage, or mortar. Enter your area and depth.
Inputs
Live estimate
Material needed
1.77 cu yd
- Area
- 500 sq ft
- Cubic feet
- 41.67
- Cubic yards
- 1.54
- Estimated tons
- 2.4 tons
- Estimated truckloads
- 0.15
You will likely need
- •1.77 cu yd — material needed
- •Schedule 1 truck load
- •Approximate delivered weight: 2.4 tons
Diagram
Live estimate
- Mathematical quantity
- 2 cu yd
- Moisture affects sand weight and density, not required volume
- Informational
- Field conditions
- Not applied
- Adjusted requirement
- 2 cu yd
- Ordering rule
- Round up to whole ton
- Suggested order
- 2 cu yd
Sand's moisture content changes tons-per-CY, not the geometric volume you need to place. Order by geometric CY; verify supplier density if pricing by weight.
What you actually need in the field, before rounding to a supplier-friendly ordering unit.
Estimator confidence
HighSand's moisture content changes its weight per cubic yard, not the volume you need. Order the geometric volume; verify tons-per-CY with the supplier if pricing by weight.
Improve confidence: If pricing by the ton, ask the supplier for delivered density (dry vs wet) rather than adding a blanket volume allowance.
Why this behavior applies: Moisture is a physical property of sand — it changes tons per CY, not the geometric volume required.
- Moisture content at delivery — Wet sand bulks measurably above the geometric volume.
- Screeded depth — Bedding sand screeds to a precise depth; over-order shows as waste.
- Use bedding sand (concrete sand) for paver base — never mason sand.
- Screed in 1-inch lifts under pavers for a level surface.
- Cover stockpiles — wind and rain both cost you sand.
- Using mason sand under pavers — it holds moisture and heaves.
- Skipping edge restraint and losing sand to erosion.
- Ordering by weight when the price is quoted per yard, or vice versa.
Smart tips
- Ordering 5–10% extra is standard on irregular layouts. Running short costs more than the excess.
How it's calculated
Area is derived from your shape inputs and converted to sq ft.
Depth is converted to feet; cubic feet = area × depth.
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27, then × (1 + waste %) × (1 + compaction %).
Estimated tons = cubic yards (with waste) × 1.35.
Truckloads = cubic yards (with waste) ÷ truck capacity.
Total cost = cubic yards (with waste) × price per cubic yard + delivery.
Professional guidance
When to use sand
Paver leveling course, sandbox fill, mortar mixes, concrete aggregate, and drainage layers.
Recommended depth
Paver bases use 1 inch; sandboxes 6–12 inches; drainage layers 2–3 inches.
Common mistakes
Using play sand under pavers — it's too fine and shifts. Use ASTM C-33 coarse concrete sand instead.
Buying advice
Bulk is much cheaper than bagged for volumes over 1 cubic yard. Confirm whether it's washed and its intended use.
Material assumptions
- Sand density: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
- Paver base: 1 inch of coarse sand over compacted road base.
- Sandbox depth: 6–12 inches of clean play sand.
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
Related articles
Deeper guidance from the Learn library — sizing, depth, waste, and ordering for this material.
These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.