Calculators / Sand
Sand Calculator
To calculate sand, enter the length, width, and depth; this tool returns the volume in cubic yards, the weight in tons, and a cost estimate. Sand weighs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Real math, not AI guesses.
You need
0.5 tons
Estimated cost
~$20
- Volume
- 0.37 cu yd
- Tons (≈1.35 t/yd³)
- 0.5
Estimate only — actual quantities and prices vary by region and supplier. Verify with a professional before purchasing. Default price is a national average (as of 2026-06); edit it to match your supplier.
How to calculate sand
The formula: tons = (length × width × depth⁄12) ÷ 27 × 1.35
- Measure the length and width in feet and the depth in inches.
- Multiply length × width × (depth ÷ 12) for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to estimate tons.
- A 1 inch sand bed is typical under pavers.
Prices shown are national averages (as of 2026-06) and vary by region, brand, and supplier. They are estimates, not quotes.
How much does sand cost?
Bulk sand costs roughly $25–$55 per ton, or about $15–$40 per cubic yard, for common fill, paver, and mason sand before delivery. Delivered, expect $40–$80 per ton with a flat delivery fee. For a 12×10 paver base at 1 inch deep (about half a ton), that is roughly $30–$70 delivered — though small orders pay more per ton because of delivery.
What drives the cost
- Type: fill sand is cheapest; washed paver sand, mason sand, and play sand cost more.
- Bulk vs bags: a 50 lb bag is convenient but far pricier per ton than bulk.
- Delivery is a flat fee, so small orders cost much more per ton.
- Distance from the supplier drives the delivery charge.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Sand is usually a DIY material — it is a base layer under pavers or a leveling course, not a standalone job. For small areas, bags from a home center are simplest; for a patio's worth, bulk delivery is far cheaper. The labor is spreading and screeding it level, which most DIYers handle. You would only hire sand out as part of a larger paver or concrete job.
Installed and labor figures are national-average ranges, not quotes — get a few local estimates for your project.
Sand FAQ
How much sand do I need for paver base?+
For a 12 ft × 10 ft patio with a 1 inch sand bed, you need about 0.37 cubic yards, or roughly half a ton of sand.
How many cubic yards in a ton of sand?+
Sand weighs about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, so one ton is roughly 0.74 cubic yards.
How much sand do I need for a paver base, and what does it cost?+
A 12×10 patio with a 1-inch sand bed needs about half a ton. In bulk at $40–$80 per ton delivered that is roughly $30–$70, though small-order delivery fees can raise it.
Is bagged or bulk sand cheaper?+
Bulk is much cheaper per ton. Bags only make sense for very small jobs where you do not want a delivery.