Sand Calculator

Work out how much sand you need for a project — enter the area and depth, and get the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus the approximate tonnage.

Sand Calculator

Estimates only — material density varies with type, moisture and compaction. Order a little extra and confirm with your supplier. 🔒 Calculated in your browser.

🔒 Nothing you enter is sent anywhere or stored. All processing happens in your browser.

Features

Estimates in the units you buy

Enter the area and depth and get the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus the approximate weight in tons — the quantities suppliers actually sell by, so you can order with confidence.

Rectangle or circle

Works for straight rectangular areas and for round patios, fire-pit surrounds or planters — switch shape and enter the diameter.

Built-in waste allowance

A 10% extra is added by default for waste, compaction and uneven ground, so you're less likely to run short mid-job. Turn it off for an exact volume.

Great for paver bedding

Perfect for working out bedding or leveling sand under pavers and patios — set a shallow depth like 1 inch and the tool handles the rest.

How it works — in four simple steps

No signup, nothing to install — it all runs in your browser.

Step 01

Measure your area

Measure the length and width in feet (or the diameter for a round area) and enter them.

Step 02

Set the depth

Enter how deep you want the sand in inches — a typical range is suggested for you.

Step 03

Calculate

Read the volume in cubic yards and cubic feet, plus the tonnage.

Step 04

Order with a little spare

Keep the 10% waste allowance on, or add your own margin, so you don't run short.

How it works

Estimating sand comes down to one idea: volume = area × depth. Measure the area you're covering (length × width, or π × radius² for a circle), multiply by how deep you want the sand, and you have the volume. This calculator does that and converts the result into the units suppliers sell by — cubic yards, cubic feet and an approximate weight in tons.

Depth is entered in inches because most sand layers are only a few inches deep, while the area is in feet — the tool handles the unit conversion for you. A 10% waste allowance is added by default, since real ground is uneven and material compacts. Everything is calculated in your browser.

Examples

A 12 ft × 12 ft paver base at 1 inch of bedding sand needs about 0.44 cubic yards (~0.6 tons).

Frequently asked questions

How much sand do I need?
Multiply the area by the depth and convert to cubic yards (divide cubic feet by 27). The calculator also shows the approximate weight, at about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
How many tons of sand in a cubic yard?
About 1.35 tons (roughly 2,700 lb), varying with moisture and grain size. Wet sand weighs more.
How deep should paver bedding sand be?
Usually about 1 inch of bedding sand over a compacted base. Enter 1 inch as the depth for a bedding layer.
Does the calculator include waste?
Yes, a 10% allowance by default. You can switch it off for an exact volume.