Sand Calculator

Use this free sand calculator to estimate cubic yards, cubic feet, and tons for sand beds, leveling layers, and small projects.

All tools

Research-backed assumptions Formula steps Examples included Private in-browser use

Length feetWidth feetDepth inchesTons per cubic yardWaste percent

Sand needed1.2962962963 yd3

20 ft x 10 ft x 2 in

Cubic feet: 35
Estimated tons: 1.75
Density used: 1.35 tons/yd3

Sand density changes with moisture, compaction, and material type. Ask your supplier for a project-specific value.

Formula steps

Convert depth from inches to feet.
Multiply length, width, and depth, then add waste.
Divide by 27 for cubic yards and multiply by density for tons.

How to use the sand calculator

Enter length, width, depth, tons per cubic yard, and waste percent.
Press Estimate sand to see cubic yards, cubic feet, and estimated tons.
Use supplier density when available.
Moisture, compaction, and material type can change sand tonnage.

Common uses

Estimate sand for paver bedding or leveling.

Estimate sand volume for a sandbox or small base layer.

Convert cubic yards into estimated tons.

Compare different depth assumptions.

Examples

Leveling sand 20 ft x 10 ft x 2 in, 1.35 tons/yd3

Yards and tons

Sandbox 8 ft x 6 ft x 8 in, 1.25 tons/yd3

Fill estimate

Path base 30 ft x 3 ft x 1 in

Small layer estimate

Frequently asked questions

Plain-language answers about when to use the tool, what it does with your inputs, what to double-check, and how privacy works.

When should I use the Sand Calculator?

Use it when your task matches one of these common needs: Estimate sand for paver bedding or leveling. Estimate sand volume for a sandbox or small base layer. It works best when you already know the values, dates, units, or settings the page asks for.

What is the Sand Calculator doing with my inputs?

In plain language: The calculator converts depth from inches to feet, multiplies length by width by depth, adds waste, divides by 27 for cubic yards, and multiplies by tons per cubic yard. The examples on the page are there so you can compare your inputs with a filled-out calculation before copying the answer.

What should I double-check before trusting the answer?

Sand density changes with moisture, material type, compaction, and supplier measurement. Ask your supplier for the best tons-per-yard value. Also check that you used the right unit, date, scale, or mode because small input changes can change the result.

Does the site save what I enter?

No. The calculator runs in your browser tab. Your recent answers stay only on the page while you use it, and they are not sent to a server.