Sand Calculator – Find How Much Sand You Need
Calculate how much sand you need by entering the dimensions and material type below.
Calculate Material using Project Dimensions
Calculate Material using Area and Depth
Calculate Material using Volume
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How to Calculate Sand
If you’re planning a landscaping project, you might be asking yourself, how much sand do I need? To calculate sand for a project, follow these easy steps.
Step One: Calculate Volume in Yards
The first step to calculating sand is to estimate the volume of material needed in cubic yards. Measure the length, width, and depth of the area you need to fill in the same unit of measurement.
Then, multiply the length, width, and depth together to find the volume.
If the initial measurements were in inches, then convert to cubic yards by dividing by 46,656, since one cubic yard is equal to 46,656 cu in.
If the initial measurements were in feet, then convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27, since one cubic yard is equal to 27 cu ft.
You can also just use our cubic yardage calculator to easily calculate this.
Step Two: Calculate Sand in Tons
Now that you know how much sand you need in cubic yards, you can find the weight in tons by multiplying that by the material density.
How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh?
The density of sand varies depending on the size of the grains and its moisture content, which affects the weight. Dry sand weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, while wet sand weighs 1.5 to 1.7 tons per cubic yard.
The more earth and soil in the mix will increase the weight per yard as well.
Calculations
Using the volume in yards and the weight of sand per yard, use the following formula to find how much you need:
sand (tons) = sand (yds) × density (tons/yd)
Thus, the amount of sand needed in tons is equal to the volume in yards times the density. See the chart below for landscaping material densities.
Use our gravel, stone, and soil calculators to estimate other landscaping materials.
Sand and Landscaping Material Weight
Refer to the chart below for the weight of sand, gravel, and other landscaping material.
| Material | Weight per Cubic Yard | Weight per Cubic Meter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pounds | Tons | Kilograms | Metric Tons | |
| Sand (dry) | 2,600 – 3,000 lbs | 1.3 – 1.5 tons | 1,540 – 1,780 kg | 1.54 – 1.78 tonnes |
| Sand (wet) | 3,000 – 3,400 lbs | 1.5 – 1.7 tons | 1,780 – 2,020 kg | 1.78 – 2.02 tonnes |
| Gravel (¼” – 2″) | 2,800 – 3,400 lbs | 1.4 – 1.7 tons | 1,660 – 2,020 kg | 1.66 – 2.02 tonnes |
| Topsoil (dry) | 2,000 – 2,600 lbs | 1 – 1.3 tons | 1,190 – 1,540 kg | 1.19 – 1.54 tonnes |
| Topsoil (wet) | 3,000 – 3,400 lbs | 1.5 – 1.7 tons | 1,780 – 2,020 kg | 1.78 – 2.02 tonnes |