How Much Sand Do I Need? (Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags)
Part of Landscaping & Aggregate
Quick answer
Multiply length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.35 for tons. A 20 × 10 ft paver base at 2 in is about 1.23 yd³ ≈ 1.7 tons of sand.
Sand is estimated by volume, then converted to the weight your supplier sells by. The only thing that changes between a sandbox, a paver base and a fill job is the depth.
The formula
Cubic yards = Length ft × Width ft × (Depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 · Tons = cubic yards × 1.35
Dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb per cubic yard — roughly 1.35 tons. Wet or damp sand can reach 1.6 tons, so confirm whether your supplier quotes a dry or wet weight.
Calculate your sandSand CalculatorEstimate how many cubic yards and tons of sand you need for a paver base, sandbox, pool base or backfill — from the area and depth.OpenSand coverage by depth (per cubic yard)
| Depth | Coverage per yd³ | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 ft² | Paver bedding sand |
| 2" | 162 ft² | Leveling / pool base |
| 3" | 108 ft² | Light fill |
| 6" | 54 ft² | Sandbox / deep fill |
Shortcut: coverage in ft² = 324 ÷ depth in inches. For paver bedding, keep it to about 1 inch over a compacted gravel base — too much sand lets pavers settle.
Bags vs bulk
A cubic yard of sand is about fifty-four 50 lb bags, so anything past a few bags is cheaper delivered in bulk by the ton. Use the calculator's price field to compare your supplier's bulk rate.
FAQs
How many cubic yards of sand do I need?
Multiply your area by the depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 200 ft² area at 2 inches deep is 200 × 0.167 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.2 cubic yards.
How much sand do I need for a paver patio?
Plan about 1 inch of bedding sand over the gravel base. One cubic yard of bedding sand covers about 324 ft² at that depth, so a 200 ft² patio needs roughly two-thirds of a yard.
How many 50 lb bags of sand make a yard?
About 54 bags. A cubic yard weighs roughly 2,700 lb and 2,700 ÷ 50 = 54.