Sand calculator
Sand calculator: how much sand do you need?
For a paver base, sandbox or fill, multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches and divide by 12 for cubic feet, then by 27 for cubic yards: a 16 by 12 foot patio base 1 inch deep takes 16 cubic feet, or 0.59 cubic yards. For the joints between pavers, the calculator works out the joint volume from the paver size and the joint width. Enter your numbers below for cubic yards and bags, and add your supplier’s weight and price for tons and cost.
How much sand you need
Includes 10% extra. Tons and cost appear when you enter your supplier’s figures.
Paver joint sand per 100 square feet
For 8 by 4 inch pavers with joints filled 2.375 inches deep. Change the paver size and depth above to update it.
| Joint width | Cubic feet per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1/16 in | 0.46 |
| 1/8 in | 0.90 |
| 3/16 in | 1.32 |
| 1/4 in | 1.73 |
| 3/8 in | 2.51 |
| 1/2 in | 3.23 |
How to work out sand for a patio, sandbox or joints
- Measure the area. Length times width; split odd shapes into rectangles and circles.
- Get the depth from your plan. For pavers, the manufacturer’s installation guide gives the bedding depth and joint width for that system.
- Work out the volume. Square feet × inches ÷ 12 = cubic feet; ÷ 27 = cubic yards. For joints, use the paver joints mode.
- Add extra for compaction, screeding and spills.
- Count bags or convert to tons. Cubic feet ÷ the bag’s volume; yards × your supplier’s weight per yard.
Counting the pavers themselves? Use the paver calculator. Ordering stone for the base? Use the gravel calculator. Soil? The topsoil calculator. Converting units or working in meters? The cubic yard calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate how much sand I need?
- Multiply the area in square feet by the depth in inches and divide by 12 for cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 16 by 12 foot patio base 1 inch deep is 192 × 1 ÷ 12 = 16 cubic feet, or 0.59 cubic yards. Add a little extra for compaction and screeding.
- How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
- Measure the inside of the box and decide how deep to fill it. A 6 by 6 foot sandbox filled 12 inches deep holds 6 × 6 × 1 = 36 cubic feet, or 1.33 cubic yards. Divide the cubic feet by the volume printed on a bag of play sand to count the bags.
- How do I calculate sand for paver joints?
- Choose paver length and width, the joint width between pavers and how deep the joints are filled. Each paver plus its joint covers (length + joint) × (width + joint); the joint takes up that minus the paver itself, times the depth. The calculator turns that into cubic feet per square foot and multiplies by your patio area. Check the sand bag's label for how much joint it fills.
- How much does a yard of sand weigh?
- It depends on the kind of sand and how wet it is: damp sand is noticeably heavier than dry. Use your supplier's weight per yard for the product you are buying; enter it and the calculator converts yards to tons.
- How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
- Divide 27 by the bag's volume in cubic feet, printed on the bag: 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet, 36 of 0.75 and 27 of 1 cubic foot. Bags sold by weight usually list a volume too.
- How deep should paver base sand be?
- That depends on the paver system and the base beneath it, so follow the paver maker's installation guide or your contractor. Enter the depth they give and the calculator does the volume.
- Does this work for mason sand, concrete sand or play sand?
- Yes. The volume is the same for any sand; only the weight per yard and the price differ, and those come from your supplier.
- How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
- 27. For conversions to cubic meters, use the cubic yard calculator.
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