Use our Sand Calculator with three different calculation methods to estimate how much sand you need. You can choose from various materials or enter your own material density. The calculator shows results in both volume and weight (US and metric units).
Results
How to Calculate Your Sand Needs
Let’s walk through a real-world example of calculating sand requirements using simple formulas. First, measure your project area – you’ll need the length, width, and depth.
Step 1: Calculate Volume
Multiply length by width by depth. Here’s a small project example:
- In inches: 120″ × 180″ × 12″ = 259,200 cubic inches
- In feet: 10′ × 15′ × 1′ = 150 cubic feet
Now convert to cubic yards:
- If calculated in inches – divide by 46,656: 259,200 ÷ 46,656 = 5.56 cubic yards
- If in feet – divide by 27: 150 ÷ 27 = 5.56 cubic yards
Step 2: Figure Out Weight
Take your cubic yards and multiply by the sand’s weight. We’ll use typical dry sand weights – 1.2-1.4 tons per cubic yard (2,400-2,800 pounds per cubic yard).
- 5.56 yards × 1.2 tons (minimum weight) = 6.67 tons (13,344 lbs)
- 5.56 yards × 1.4 tons (maximum weight) = 7.78 tons (15,568 lbs)
Step 3: Add Some Extra
Add 5%-10% to the final number. This covers settling during delivery, compaction after laying it down and filling any gaps.
- For minimum weight: 6.67 × 1.1 = 7.33 tons
- For maximum weight: 7.78 × 1.1 = 8.55 tons
Go ahead and order 9 tons – it’s always better to round up. Any extra sand will be useful for touch-ups or other projects.
How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh?
Regular dry sand typically weighs 2,400-2,800 pounds (1.2-1.4 tons) per cubic yard, while wet sand ranges from 3,200 to 3,600 pounds (1.6-1.8 tons). Keep in mind that different types of sand, moisture levels, and any clay or soil mixed in will affect the weight.
Fine sand (0.075-0.425 mm) weighs more than coarse sand (2.0-4.75 mm) for the same volume. Fine sand is also more mobile and prone to migration – when working with it, you’ll need more than the standard 10% extra.
Check out the table below for weights of common materials per cubic yard and cubic meter:
| Material | Tons per Cubic Yard | Metric Tons per Cubic Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (⅛” – ⅜”) | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.8 – 2.1 |
| Gravel (¾” – 2″) | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.8 – 2.1 |
| Sand (dry) | 1.2 – 1.4 | 1.5 – 1.8 |
| Sand (wet) | 1.6 – 1.8 | 2.1 – 2.3 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 1.1 – 1.3 | 1.4 – 1.7 |
| Topsoil (wet) | 1.5 – 1.7 | 1.9 – 2.2 |
| Crushed Stone (¼” – 2″) | 1.4 – 1.7 | 1.8 – 2.2 |
| River Rock (¾” – 2½”) | 1.3 – 1.5 | 1.7 – 1.9 |
| Base Rock (¾” – 1″) | 1.3 – 1.6 | 1.7 – 2.0 |
| Drainage Rock (¾” – 1½”) | 1.4 – 1.6 | 1.8 – 2.1 |
And below is a conversion table showing how many cubic yards you get per ton of material. Just remember – your local supplier will have the most accurate numbers for their specific materials.
| Material | Cubic Yards per Ton |
|---|---|
| Pea Gravel (⅛” – ⅜”) | 0.63 – 0.83 |
| Gravel (¾” – 2″) | 0.63 – 0.83 |
| Sand (dry) | 0.71 – 0.83 |
| Sand (wet) | 0.56 – 0.63 |
| Topsoil (dry) | 0.77 – 0.91 |
| Topsoil (wet) | 0.59 – 0.67 |
| Crushed Stone (¼” – 2″) | 0.59 – 0.71 |
| River Rock (¾” – 2½”) | 0.67 – 0.77 |
| Base Rock (¾” – 1″) | 0.65 – 0.74 |
| Drainage Rock (¾” – 1½”) | 0.63 – 0.71 |
Cite this page as:
Takahashi, H. “Sand Calculator”. Available at https://constructioncalculators.com/sand-calculator/