Sand Calculator
Calculate sand volume in cubic yards or meters and weight in tons from area and depth.
Covers play, masonry, and fill sand with a 10% waste buffer.
Sand and gravel quantity estimation is needed for concrete mixes, paving sub-bases, landscaping fill, playground areas, drainage layers, and leveling applications. The key challenge is converting between volume (how much space you need to fill) and weight (how materials are sold and delivered).
Volume formulas:
Volume (ft³) = Length × Width × Depth (all in feet)
Volume (yd³) = Volume (ft³) ÷ 27
Volume (m³) = Length(m) × Width(m) × Depth(m)
Weight conversion:
Weight (tons) = Volume (yd³) × Bulk Density (tons/yd³)
Bulk density reference table:
| Material | lbs/ft³ | tons/yd³ |
|---|---|---|
| Dry sand | 100 | 1.35 |
| Wet sand | 120 | 1.62 |
| Gravel (1/4–3/4 in) | 105 | 1.42 |
| Crushed stone | 100 | 1.35 |
| Pea gravel | 95 | 1.28 |
| Decomposed granite | 110 | 1.49 |
Worked example: A sandbox: 8 ft × 6 ft, filled to 12 inches (1 ft) deep with dry sand:
- Volume: 8 × 6 × 1 = 48 ft³ = 48 ÷ 27 = 1.78 yd³
- Weight: 1.78 × 1.35 = 2.40 short tons = 4,800 lbs
- At $35/ton delivered: $84 total material cost
Compaction factor: Sand and gravel compact when placed. For fill applications, order 10–15% extra to account for settling. For sub-base material, compaction testing (Proctor test) may specify the required density.
Coverage by depth:
| Depth | 1 yd³ covers |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 ft² |
| 2 inches | 162 ft² |
| 3 inches | 108 ft² |
| 4 inches | 81 ft² |
Bagged vs. bulk delivery:
- Bagged (50 lb bags): ~27 bags/yd³ — convenient for small jobs but 2–3× the cost of bulk
- Bulk delivery minimum: typically 2–5 yd³; best for jobs over 3 yd³
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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