How much sand do I need for a sandbox?

A typical 8×8 ft sandbox filled 4 inches deep needs 0.79 cubic yards (about 21 cubic feet). In 50-lb bags (each ~0.5 cu ft): approximately 42–45 bags. You can also purchase 1 cubic yard in bulk from a landscape supplier for significantly less than 45 individual bags.

How much sand do I need under pavers?

A 1-inch bedding layer of coarse concrete sand under pavers: Area (sq ft) × (1/12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. For a 300 sq ft patio: 300 × 0.083 ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards ≈ 1 cubic yard of sand (about 1.3 tons). Use concrete sand, not play sand or masonry sand.

How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. A 50-lb bag of sand contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet. Therefore: 27 ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags per cubic yard. At $5/bag, 1 cubic yard from bags costs $270. Bulk delivery of the same amount costs $40–$80 — bulk is substantially cheaper for quantities over 0.5 cubic yards.

What kind of sand should I use under a patio?

Use coarse concrete sand (also called sharp sand or washed concrete sand) as the 1-inch bedding layer under pavers. Do NOT use play sand, masonry sand, or polymeric sand as bedding — they compact differently and can cause uneven settling. Polymeric sand is only for filling the joints between pavers after installation.

Sand Calculator: How Much Sand Do You Need for Any Project?

Calculate cubic yards and tons of sand for any project. Covers recommended depths by application, sand types, weight conversions, and cost per yard in 2026.

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Sand Volume Formula

Cubic Yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27

Tons = Cubic Yards × 1.3 (coarse sand averages ~1.3 tons per cubic yard)

Coverage by Volume

Cubic Yards	Coverage at 1 inch	Coverage at 2 inches
1	324 sq ft	162 sq ft
2	648 sq ft	324 sq ft
5	1,620 sq ft	810 sq ft

Worked Examples

Paver base sand bedding layer (1 inch): 400 sq ft patio - Volume: 400 × (1/12) ÷ 27 = 33.3 ÷ 27 = 1.23 cubic yards

Child's sandbox (4 inches deep): 8×8 ft sandbox - Volume: 8 × 8 × (4/12) ÷ 27 = 21.3 ÷ 27 = 0.79 cubic yards ≈ 1 cubic yard - In 50-lb bags: 0.79 × 27 = 21.3 cu ft ÷ 0.5 cu ft/bag = 43 bags

Horseshoe pit (4 inches deep): 6×6 ft pit - Volume: 6 × 6 × 0.333 ÷ 27 = 0.44 cubic yards — about 12 bags

Sand Types by Application

Sand Type	Best Use	Notes
Coarse concrete sand	Paver bedding base	Best for leveling and stability
Play sand (washed, fine)	Sandboxes, children's play areas	Screened for safety
Polymeric sand	Paver joint filling	Hardens with water; prevents weed growth
Mason's sand	Mortar mixing, brick laying	Fine-grained, consistent
Pool filter sand	Pool filtration systems	Meets filter sizing specifications
Top dressing sand	Lawn leveling	Use horticultural or sports sand

Sand Cost (2026)

Method	Typical Price
Bagged (50 lb, ~0.5 cu ft)	$4–$7 per bag
Bulk (per ton, pickup)	$20–$45 per ton
Bulk (delivered, per cubic yard)	$35–$80 per cubic yard

For projects under 1 cubic yard (approximately 50 bags), buying in bags may be convenient despite the higher cost per unit. Above 1–2 cubic yards, bulk delivery is almost always cheaper.

Special Note: Polymeric Sand for Pavers

Polymeric sand is filled into paver joints and then activated with water — it hardens to prevent ant infiltration, weed growth, and joint erosion. One 50-lb bag covers approximately 60–75 sq ft of paver surface at a standard 3/8-inch joint width. It is NOT used as a base bedding layer — only as the final joint filler after pavers are set.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sand do I need for a sandbox?: A typical 8×8 ft sandbox filled 4 inches deep needs 0.79 cubic yards (about 21 cubic feet). In 50-lb bags (each ~0.5 cu ft): approximately 42–45 bags. You can also purchase 1 cubic yard in bulk from a landscape supplier for significantly less than 45 individual bags.
How much sand do I need under pavers?: A 1-inch bedding layer of coarse concrete sand under pavers: Area (sq ft) × (1/12) ÷ 27 = cubic yards. For a 300 sq ft patio: 300 × 0.083 ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards ≈ 1 cubic yard of sand (about 1.3 tons). Use concrete sand, not play sand or masonry sand.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. A 50-lb bag of sand contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet. Therefore: 27 ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags per cubic yard. At $5/bag, 1 cubic yard from bags costs $270. Bulk delivery of the same amount costs $40–$80 — bulk is substantially cheaper for quantities over 0.5 cubic yards.
What kind of sand should I use under a patio?: Use coarse concrete sand (also called sharp sand or washed concrete sand) as the 1-inch bedding layer under pavers. Do NOT use play sand, masonry sand, or polymeric sand as bedding — they compact differently and can cause uneven settling. Polymeric sand is only for filling the joints between pavers after installation.

Last updated 7/28/2026