Sand Calculator
Sand yardage and bag count for any project
What is sand calculator?
A sand calculator answers the homeowner’s first question on any sand project: how many bags or cubic yards do I need. The volume math (length times width times depth) is straightforward; sand at retailers comes in 50-lb bags covering roughly 0.5 cubic feet each, and bulk sand from landscape suppliers is priced by the ton.
The default density is 100 lb/ft³, which is typical for dry construction sand. Wet sand runs 110-115 lb/ft³ and weighs proportionally more per yard; very fine play sand can be a touch lighter. Volume math doesn’t change with sand type; only the weight readout does.
What depth to choose? For sandboxes, 6 inches is the minimum and 12 inches is better if kids actually dig. For paver bedding, 1 inch is the right call — never more, since too much sand causes pavers to heave with seasonal frost. For winter traction, a quarter inch is plenty; reapply after each storm.
Bulk vs bagged: at the home center, a 50-lb bag of sand runs $4-8 and covers about 0.5 cubic feet. A cubic yard equals about 54 bags. By the time you’re past 1 yard (~54 bags), bulk delivery wins on price and saves your back. Below that, bags are easier — and bag-grade sand is reliably clean.
The 10% waste factor default covers spread loss and the inevitable scoop-too-much. For winter traction work, bump to 15% — wind and foot traffic move sand around faster than you can spread it. For a buried application like a paver bed, 5% is usually enough since most goes exactly where you put it.
Use sharp (coarse) sand under pavers and walkways — angular grains that lock together. Play sand for sandboxes is fine, but never use it under hardscape; round grains shift and pavers heave.
When to use a sand calculator
- Sandbox refill — Topping off a 4 ft x 4 ft kid's sandbox at 6 inches. Output in 50-lb bags matches what's stocked at the home center.
- Paver patio bedding layer — 1-2 inches of sharp sand under pavers. The calculator outputs both yards and bag count for delivery vs trip-to-store comparison.
- Winter traction layer — Spread sand on icy walkways or driveways. Even a small driveway eats more sand than a single bag covers.
How to use the Sand Calculator
- Measure the area — For sandboxes and paver beds, multiply length by width. For round pits, the calculator takes diameter directly. For irregular spread (traction), use average dimensions.
- Pick a depth — Sandboxes: 6 inches minimum, 12 inches if kids actually dig. Paver bedding: 1 inch (no more — pavers heave with too much sand). Traction: 1/4 inch is plenty.
- Read the bag count — Output shows 50-lb bags (the retail standard). Bag-grade sand at home centers covers about 0.5 cubic feet per bag. Round up — partial bags don't store outdoors well.
- Apply waste factor — 10% covers spread loss and the inevitable scoop-too-much. Bump to 15% for traction work where wind and foot traffic move sand around faster than you can spread it.
Worked examples
4 ft x 4 ft sandbox at 6 in
Input: 4 ft x 4 ft x 6 in depth
Output: 0.33 cu yd / 18 of 50-lb bags (with 10% waste)10 ft x 12 ft paver bed at 1 in
Input: 10 ft x 12 ft x 1 in depth
Output: 0.41 cu yd / 22 of 50-lb bagsPaver sand should be sharp, not playground sand — coarser grain holds the pavers.
Driveway traction, 20 ft x 20 ft at 0.25 in
Input: 20 ft x 20 ft x 0.25 in depth
Output: 0.34 cu yd / 18 of 50-lb bags