Sand Calculator
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Sand is used as a bedding and leveling layer rather than a surface - most often the setting bed under pavers and flagstone, plus sandboxes and general fill. Type matters: coarse concrete/masonry sand for bedding, washed play sand for sandboxes.
Area preview
Weight
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Volume
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Bags needed
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Area: -
💡 Order about 10% extra - settling and spills eat into every load.
⚠️ Enter the full depth - a thin layer scatters and sinks.
What sand is best for
- Bedding/leveling layer under pavers and flagstone
- Sandboxes (washed play sand)
- Filling joints between pavers
- General leveling and fill
How much sand do you need?
A paver setting bed is about 1 in (2.5 cm) of coarse sand over the compacted base. Sandboxes are usually filled 6–12 in (15–30 cm) deep.
Sand is about 1.6 t/m³ (roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard) dry; it packs down when compacted and wetted, so a thin bedding layer goes further than it looks. The calculator uses area × depth × density.
Frequently asked questions
- How much sand do I need under pavers?
- Plan on a ~1 in (2.5 cm) bedding layer over your compacted base. Enter your patio area with that depth and the calculator returns tons and bags.
- What kind of sand goes under pavers?
- Coarse, angular concrete/masonry sand for the bedding layer - not soft play sand. Polymeric sand is a separate product for the joints.
- How deep should sand be in a sandbox?
- 6–12 in (15–30 cm) of clean, washed play sand is typical so kids can dig without hitting the bottom.