Multiply length × width × depth in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.5 to get tons of sand. A 1-inch bedding layer under a 10 × 10 ft patio needs about 0.31 cubic yards, or roughly half a ton.
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Order – tons (includes your waste allowance) so compaction and spillage don’t leave you short.
Sand Calculator Guide
Sand shows up in almost every hardscape build — a one-inch bedding layer under pavers, joint fill between them, leveling under pools and hot tubs, backfill around pipes, and the fine aggregate in mortar and concrete. This calculator converts your dimensions into cubic yards, tons, and 50 lb bags at a practical ordering density of 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
Sand is deceptively heavy: a “small” half-yard order still weighs three-quarters of a ton. Check the bag count in your results before deciding between bagged and bulk — the crossover point where bulk delivery wins is lower than most people expect, at around half a ton.
How Much Does Sand Weigh?
| Condition | Tons per yd³ | Lb per ft³ |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, loose sand | 1.35 | ≈ 100 |
| Slightly damp (as delivered) | 1.50 | ≈ 110 |
| Wet sand | 1.60 | ≈ 120 |
| Compacted sand | 1.60+ | ≈ 120+ |
Moisture is why two identical loads can differ on the scale by 10–15%. Suppliers weigh what leaves the yard, so damp winter sand costs slightly more per usable yard than dry summer sand — worth knowing, not worth losing sleep over.
Which Sand for Which Job?
- Concrete (washed coarse) sand: the correct choice for paver bedding — sharp grains that drain and lock.
- Mason sand: finer and screened for mortar mixing and smooth finishes.
- Polymeric sand: joint filling between laid pavers — binds when wetted, resists weeds and washout.
- Play sand: washed, rounded, and certified for sandboxes — too soft for structural use.
- Fill sand: unwashed and cheap, for trench backfill and rough leveling.
The One-Inch Rule for Paver Bedding
Bedding sand is a leveling layer, not a structural one. Screed it to a uniform 1 inch — never more than 1.5 inches — over a properly compacted base. Every extra inch of sand is an inch that can wash out, shift, and telegraph waves into your finished surface. If your base is out of level by more than an inch, fix the base with more crushed stone (see the paver base calculator), don’t bury the problem in sand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs roughly 1.35–1.5 US tons per cubic yard, and damp sand can reach 1.6 tons because water fills the voids between grains. This calculator uses 1.5 tons per cubic yard as a practical ordering figure.
How thick should paver bedding sand be?
Bedding sand under pavers should be a uniform 1 inch thick — never more than 1.5 inches. A thicker sand layer shifts and settles unevenly, which is the most common cause of wavy paver patios.
How many 50 lb bags of sand are in a ton?
There are 40 bags of 50 lb sand in one ton (2,000 ÷ 50). Bagged sand is convenient for small jobs, but for anything over about half a ton, bulk delivery is far cheaper per pound.
What type of sand should I use under pavers?
Use washed concrete sand (coarse, angular grains) for the bedding layer, not fine play sand or mason sand, which hold water and shift underfoot. For joint filling between pavers, polymeric sand resists washout and weeds.