How much sand do I need?
Sand is sold by volume (cubic yards) or by weight (tons), so the calculation goes in two steps. First multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet — remember to divide the depth in inches by 12 first, which is what this calculator does for you. Then divide by 27 to get cubic yards, because a cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. Finally we convert to tons using a working figure of about 1.35 tons per cubic yard for damp bulk sand, since most yards quote and load by the ton.
Depth is where most orders go wrong. A bedding course under pavers only needs about 1 inch of screeded concrete or bedding sand — going deeper does not level the surface better, it just lets pavers sink and rut later. Sandboxes are typically filled 6 to 12 inches deep, and pool base sand is usually 2 to 3 inches. If your subgrade is soft or rutted, add the extra percentage above rather than increasing the design depth: bulk material always loses some volume to compaction, spillage off the wheelbarrow, and low spots you did not notice until the sand went down. Ordering a fraction of a yard short means a second delivery charge for a very small load, which is usually the most expensive sand you will ever buy.
Weight per cubic yard varies with sand type and moisture content — wet sand is noticeably heavier. Confirm the conversion with your supplier before ordering by the ton.