How to calculate sand
Tons = Cubic yards × 2,700 ÷ 2,000
50 lb bags = Total lb ÷ 50
Worked example
A sandbox 6 × 6 ft filled 8 in deep: 36 × 8 ÷ 324 = 0.89 cubic yards. At 2,700 lb per yard that is about 2,400 lb, or 48 bags of 50 lb.
Which sand do I need?
| Type | Used for |
|---|---|
| Concrete sand | Bedding layer under pavers, mixing concrete |
| Mason sand | Mortar, sandboxes, between fine joints |
| Play sand | Sandboxes (washed and screened) |
| Fill sand | Filling holes and leveling under slabs |
| Polymeric sand | Filling joints between pavers so they lock in place |
How much does sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 100 lb per cubic foot, or 2,600–2,800 lb per cubic yard. Damp sand is heavier, and a 50 lb bag holds about half a cubic foot.
Sand for pavers
Pavers sit on a 1 in layer of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base. Don't make the sand layer thicker to fix an uneven base, because thick sand shifts and causes pavers to sink. The paver base calculator works out the gravel, sand and pavers together.
Frequently asked questions
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a yard?
About 54. A cubic yard of dry sand weighs roughly 2,700 lb, and 2,700 ÷ 50 = 54 bags.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Fill a sandbox 6–12 in deep. A 5 × 5 ft box at 8 in deep needs about 0.62 cubic yards, or around 34 bags of 50 lb.
How much area does a ton of sand cover?
A ton of sand is about 0.74 cubic yards. At 1 in deep it covers roughly 240 sq ft, and at 2 in about 120 sq ft.
How much sand do I need under pavers?
Use a 1 in bedding layer. For 100 sq ft that is about 8.3 cubic feet, or roughly 17 bags of 50 lb.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14. Material weights are typical industry averages and vary by supplier, moisture and compaction.