How much sand do I need for a paver patio?

For a 200 sq ft paver patio: 1 inch bedding sand = 200 x (1/12) / 27 = 0.62 cu yd. Add 2-4 inches of base sand. Total: approximately 2.5 cu yd or 3.25 tons before waste.

What type of sand is best for a sandbox?

Play sand (fine masonry sand) - washed, screened, and sterilized. A standard 4x4 ft sandbox at 12 inches deep needs: 16 sq ft x 1 ft = 16 cu ft / 27 = 0.6 cu yd, or about 14 bags of 50-lb play sand.

How much sand do I need for a mortar mix?

Mortar mix ratio is typically 3 parts sand to 1 part cement. For laying 500 bricks in a 100 sq ft wall: approximately 15 cu ft (0.56 cu yd or 0.73 tons) of masonry sand.

What is the cost of sand in 2026?

Concrete sand: $15-$35 per cubic yard. Masonry sand: $20-$40 per cubic yard. Play sand: $30-$60 per cubic yard. Fill sand: $10-$25 per cubic yard. Delivery fees are typically $50-$150.

Sand Calculator

Find how much sand you need for pavers, sandboxes, or leveling.

100% Free2026 UpdatedNo Signup

Sand Calculator

Length(ft)

Width(ft)

Depth

Unit

Sand compacts significantly — always add 10-15% to your calculated volume to account for compaction. Concrete sand (coarse) is best for paver bases; masonry sand (fine) is best for mortar and sandboxes. For paver installations, compact the base sand in 1-inch lifts for a stable surface that resists settling.

What This Calculator Does

The Sand Calculator provides cubic yards and tons of sand needed for paver bases, sandboxes, leveling courses, and construction fill. Enter the area dimensions and depth to get an accurate quantity in cubic yards and tons, plus the amount with 10% waste for compaction and spreading.

Sand is a versatile construction material used for multiple purposes: concrete sand (coarse) for paver base and bedding, masonry sand (fine) for mortar and sandboxes, and fill sand for general grading. Each type has a slightly different density, with an average of approximately 2,600 lbs per cubic yard (1.3 tons per cu yd). Sand compacts significantly - typically 10-15% volume reduction under compaction - which is why the waste factor is critical.

This calculator is designed for bulk landscaping and construction sand orders. For concrete sand used in ready-mix, concrete is ordered by the cubic yard from a batch plant - the sand content is included in the mix design.

How to Use

Measure the area length and width in feet.
Select or enter the depth: 1 inch for paver sand bedding, 6-12 inches for base fill.
Enter dimensions and click "Calculate" to get cubic yards and tons.
Add 10% for compaction - tamped sand occupies less volume than loose sand.
Order from your landscape or construction supply yard specifying the sand type needed.

Worked Examples

Paver Patio Base Sand

A 12 x 16 ft paver patio requiring 1 inch of bedding sand over 4 inches of compacted crushed stone base.

→Area: 12 ft x 16 ft = 192 sq ft.
→Bedding sand depth in feet: 1 in / 12 = 0.083 ft.
→Cubic feet: 192 x 0.083 = 15.9 cu ft.
→Cubic yards: 15.9 / 27 = 0.59 cu yd.
→With 15% compaction waste: 0.59 x 1.15 = 0.68 cu yd.
→At $25/cu yd for concrete sand: 0.68 x $25 = $17 for bedding sand.

Result: Approximately 0.7 cubic yards of concrete sand needed for paver bedding, costing about $17.

Screed the bedding sand using 1-inch diameter PVC pipes as depth guides laid across the base. Pull a straight 2x4 board across the pipes to level the sand, then carefully remove the pipes and fill the grooves before laying pavers.

Use our Paver Calculator

Reference Table

Sand volume reference - cubic yards by area and depth 2026
Area	Depth 1 in	Depth 3 in	Depth 6 in	Depth 12 in
50 sq ft	0.15 cu yd	0.46 cu yd	0.93 cu yd	1.85 cu yd
100 sq ft	0.31 cu yd	0.93 cu yd	1.85 cu yd	3.70 cu yd
200 sq ft	0.62 cu yd	1.85 cu yd	3.70 cu yd	7.41 cu yd
500 sq ft	1.54 cu yd	4.63 cu yd	9.26 cu yd	18.52 cu yd
1,000 sq ft	3.09 cu yd	9.26 cu yd	18.52 cu yd	37.04 cu yd