Sand Calculator

Calculate the amount of sand needed for your construction or landscaping project.

Calculator

Enter Your Project Dimensions

Standard density is 1.6 tons per cubic yard

Table of Contents

1 How to Calculate Sand Needed
2 Types of Sand
3 Coverage Tips
4 Practical Examples
Guide

How to Calculate Sand Needed

To calculate the amount of sand needed for your project, follow these steps:

  1. 1
    Measure the length and width of your project area
  2. 2
    Determine the depth of sand needed
  3. 3
    Calculate the volume in cubic yards
  4. 4
    Multiply by the density to get weight in tons
Types

Types of Sand

Construction Construction Sand

  • Masonry Sand - For bricklaying
  • Concrete Sand - For concrete mixing
  • Fill Sand - For backfilling
  • Utility Sand - For general use

Specialty Specialty Sand

  • Play Sand - For playgrounds
  • Pool Sand - For pool filters
  • Golf Sand - For bunkers
  • Beach Sand - For landscaping
Tips

Coverage Tips

Preparation

  • Clear the area of debris
  • Level the ground
  • Install edging if needed
  • Consider drainage

Application

  • Spread evenly
  • Compact properly
  • Maintain proper moisture
  • Check for settling
Examples

Practical Examples

Example 1 Patio Base

A 12' × 12' patio with 4" depth:

Volume = (12 × 12 × 0.33) ÷ 27 = 1.76 cubic yards

Weight = 1.76 × 1.6 = 2.82 tons

Example 2 Playground Area

A 20' × 20' playground with 6" depth:

Volume = (20 × 20 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 7.41 cubic yards

Weight = 7.41 × 1.6 = 11.86 tons

Tools

Construction Calculators

Metal Weight Calculator Concrete Calculator Brick Calculator Tile Calculator Paint Calculator

Need other tools?

Can't find the calculator you need? Contact us to suggest other construction calculators.