Bagged route
37 bags
0.5 cu ft sand bags
Best for small jobs, paver leveling, and sandboxes. Pick the right type — paver/leveling, masonry, play, or all-purpose.
Sand calculator
Sand calculator for cubic yards, tons, and bags.
Enter area and depth to estimate sand by cubic yards, tons, and 0.5 cu ft bags, with a bulk round-up. A 10 x 10 ft area at 2 inches is about 0.68 yd³.
10 x 10 at 2 in
0.68 yd³
37 bags
Density
~1.3 t/yd³
dry sand
Bag size
0.5 cu ft
54 per cubic yard
Quick sand answers
Common sand jobs
10 x 10 at 2 in
0.68 yd³
about 37 half-cu-ft bags
12 x 12 paver sand (1 in)
0.49 yd³
about 27 half-cu-ft bags
8 x 8 sandbox (6 in)
1.30 yd³
about 71 half-cu-ft bags
Paver leveling sand
Setting pavers? The leveling sand bed is usually about 1 inch. Estimate the gravel base under it with the paver base calculator.
Shopping list
Bagged, bulk, and finish
Bag count updates from the calculator. Confirm the sand type and bag volume before ordering.
Bulk route
0.75
Bulk sand by the yard
For larger areas, compare the cubic yards and tons against local landscape-supply delivery and minimums.
Paver finish
Polymeric joint sand
For pavers, the leveling sand bed is separate from the polymeric sand that locks the joints. Plan both if you are setting pavers.
Tools
Screed, tamper, and rake
A screed pipe and board, a hand tamper or plate compactor, and a rake make for an even sand bed.
Formula shown
How the sand estimate works
1. Volume in cubic feet
cubic feet = length ft x width ft x (depth in / 12)
2. Cubic yards and tons
yd³ = ft³ / 27; tons = yd³ x 1.3
3. Bags and bulk
bags = ceil(ft³ x (1 + waste) / 0.5)
Sources
- Aggregate density references — sand bulk density ~1.3 ton/yd³ (varies with moisture)
- Retail bagged sand specs — bag volumes and coverage references
Reviewed for estimating accuracy
Last updated: June 26, 2026
Estimate only.
This calculator is not a quote. Verify product yield, price, delivery minimums, and local conditions with your supplier or contractor before buying materials.
Related calculators
Keep planning
Guide: How much paver sand do I need? The 1-inch bedding layer, bags, and bedding vs joint sand. Paver base Compacted gravel base plus the leveling sand layer for pavers. Gravel calculator Crushed stone for paths, bases, and driveways. Topsoil calculator Soil for beds and grading by the yard, ton, or bag.
FAQ
Sand calculator questions
How much sand you need, bags per yard, weight, and sand types.
How much sand do I need? + -
Multiply area by depth for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 10 x 10 ft area at 2 inches is about 0.68 cubic yards, or roughly 37 half-cubic-foot bags, including a 10% allowance.
How many bags of sand in a cubic yard? + -
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it is about 54 bags of 0.5 cu ft sand. For anything more than a small project, bulk sand by the cubic yard is usually cheaper than bags.
How much does a yard of sand weigh? + -
Dry sand is roughly 1.3 tons per cubic yard. Damp or compacted sand weighs more. Use the tonnage to compare against bulk delivery, which is often sold by weight.
What kind of sand should I use? + -
Paver or leveling sand for a paver bed, masonry sand for mortar and block, play sand for sandboxes, and fill sand for grading. They are priced and screened differently, so match the type to the job.