Sand Needed
0.83 tons
Area
200.0 sq ft
Cubic Yds
0.62
Cost
$33
0.83 tons
0.62
200.0 sq ft
$33
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For paver base, you need 1 inch of sand per layer. For a 200 sq ft patio: 200 × (1/12) = 16.67 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.62 cubic yards ≈ 0.92 tons of paver base sand.
Sand weighs about 1.3-1.5 tons per cubic yard depending on type and moisture. Dry sand: 1.35 tons/yd³, wet sand: 1.5-1.7 tons/yd³, play sand: 1.2 tons/yd³.
| Sand Type | Density (lbs/ft³) | Tons per yd³ | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play sand | 90 | 1.22 | Sandboxes, volleyball courts |
| Paver base / concrete | 110 | 1.49 | Paver bedding, concrete mix |
| Fill sand | 100 | 1.35 | Backfill, grading, leveling |
| Masonry sand | 105 | 1.42 | Mortar mix, pool bases |
Use coarse concrete sand (also called paver base sand) for the base layer under pavers. Use polymeric sand or fine jointing sand for filling joints between pavers.
| Sand Type | Grain Shape | Best Use | Price per 50 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete / paver base | Angular | Bedding layer | $4–$8 |
| Polymeric sand | Angular + polymer | Joint fill (hardens) | $20–$30 |
| Mason sand | Sub-angular | Mortar mix, leveling | $5–$10 |
| Play sand | Rounded | Sandboxes only | $4–$6 |
Sand bedding under pavers should be 1 inch deep after compaction. Start with 1.5 inches of loose sand, then screed and compact to 1 inch for a stable, level base.
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Inputs
Result
Area = 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft. Volume = 200 × (1/12) = 16.67 cu ft. Cubic yards = 16.67 / 27 = 0.62. Tons = (16.67 × 110) / 2000 = 0.92 tons. Cost = 0.92 × $40 = $37.
Inputs
Result
Area = 8 × 8 = 64 sq ft. Volume = 64 × (6/12) = 32 cu ft. Cubic yards = 32 / 27 = 1.19. Tons = (32 × 90) / 2000 = 1.44 tons. Cost = 1.44 × $40 = $58.
Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × (Depth / 12)Calculates volume in cubic feet from dimensions and depth in inches.
Where:
Length= Area length in feetWidth= Area width in feetDepth= Sand depth in inches (divided by 12 to convert to feet)Cubic Yards = Volume (cu ft) / 27Converts cubic feet to cubic yards for ordering.
Where:
27= Cubic feet in one cubic yardTons = (Volume × Density) / 2000Converts volume and density to US tons.
Where:
Density= Sand density in lbs per cubic foot (varies by type)2000= Pounds per US tonSand density varies from 90 lbs/ft³ for fine play sand to 110 lbs/ft³ for coarse paver base sand—a 22% difference that directly affects tonnage calculations. A 200 sq ft patio at 1-inch depth requires 16.67 cubic feet of sand regardless of type, but that translates to 0.75 tons of play sand versus 0.92 tons of paver base sand. Ordering by the wrong density means coming up short or overpaying.
Suppliers price sand by the ton ($25–$50 depending on type and region) or by the cubic yard ($35–$65). One cubic yard of fill sand weighs approximately 1.35 tons (2,700 lbs), while the same volume of wet sand can weigh 1.5–1.7 tons. Always specify dry weight when ordering by the ton, or order by volume and accept that you may receive slightly more or less weight depending on moisture content.
The calculator converts between cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons using the density for your selected sand type. Enter dimensions in feet and depth in inches—the tool handles the unit conversion automatically. For circular areas like around a paver calculator project with curved borders, calculate the equivalent rectangular area or use the radius-based formula (πr²).
| Sand Type | Density (lbs/ft³) | Tons/yd³ | Price per Ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play sand (fine, washed) | 90 | 1.22 | $30–$45 |
| Fill sand (utility) | 100 | 1.35 | $25–$40 |
| Masonry sand | 105 | 1.42 | $35–$50 |
| Paver base / concrete sand | 110 | 1.49 | $35–$55 |
Paver bedding requires exactly 1 inch of compacted coarse sand (ASTM C33 spec) between the gravel base and the paver surface. Start with 1.5 inches of loose sand, screed it flat using pipe rails as guides, then compact with a plate vibrator to achieve the final 1-inch depth. Below the sand, a 4–6 inch compacted gravel base of 3/4-inch crushed stone provides structural support.
For a 200 sq ft patio, the 1-inch bedding layer needs 200 × (1/12) = 16.67 cu ft = 0.62 cubic yards = 0.92 tons of paver base sand. Joint fill (polymeric sand) is a separate quantity: approximately 50 lbs per 75–100 sq ft of pavers, or 100–133 lbs for the 200 sq ft patio. At $20–$30 per 50-lb bag, joint sand adds $40–$80 to the project.
Never substitute play sand or beach sand for paver bedding—their rounded grains shift under load, causing pavers to settle unevenly. Coarse concrete sand has angular grains that interlock and resist movement after compaction. Use the gravel calculator to estimate the crushed stone base layer separately.
Tip: Order 10–15% extra paver base sand to account for screeding waste and low spots in the gravel base. For a 200 sq ft patio, that is an extra 0.06–0.09 cubic yards—$3–$5 of insurance against running short.
The calculator uses three linked formulas: volume in cubic feet = length × width × (depth / 12), then cubic yards = volume / 27, then tons = (volume × density) / 2000. For an 8×8 ft sandbox at 6-inch depth with play sand (90 lbs/ft³): volume = 64 × 0.5 = 32 cu ft, cubic yards = 32 / 27 = 1.19, tons = (32 × 90) / 2000 = 1.44 tons.
Delivery trucks typically carry 10–15 tons per load. Small orders under 1 ton are often more economical as bagged sand from home centers ($4–$6 per 50-lb bag), but the per-ton cost is 3–5× higher. The break-even point is roughly 0.5 tons—above that, bulk delivery at $25–$50 per ton plus a $50–$100 delivery fee is more economical.
Compaction reduces volume by 10–15%. If your final depth must be 6 inches compacted, start with 7 inches loose. The calculator works with the final (compacted) depth, so the output represents the amount of sand needed to achieve your target depth after compaction.
Concrete sand (also called sharp sand) has angular grains that interlock under compaction, making it the best choice for paver bedding, concrete mixing, and pipe bedding. Masonry sand is slightly finer and works well for mortar mixes, stucco, and pool bases where a smoother finish is desired.
Fill sand (utility sand) at $25–$40 per ton is the most affordable option for backfilling trenches, grading slopes, and leveling areas under slabs. It’s not suitable for paver bedding because the mix of grain sizes doesn’t compact as uniformly as washed concrete sand. Play sand is the finest grade, washed and screened for child safety—appropriate only for sandboxes and volleyball courts.
For large-scale fill projects, pair this calculator with the excavation calculator to determine cut-and-fill volumes, and the soil calculator for topsoil quantities in the finish grade layer above the sand base.
Enter area dimensions
Input length and width in feet. For the default patio scenario: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 sq ft.
Set sand depth
Enter depth in inches. Paver bedding: 1 inch. Sandbox: 6 inches. Leveling fill: varies by grade.
Select sand type
Choose from fill (100 lbs/ft³), masonry (105), paver base (110), or play sand (90). The density affects tonnage.
Enter cost per ton
Local bulk pricing averages $30–$50/ton. The calculator multiplies tons × price for a material budget estimate.
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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.