How to use this calculator
- Enter Length in ft.
- Enter Width in ft.
- Enter Depth in in.
- Enter Type.
- Enter Price per ton in $.
- Press Calculate. The highlighted row is your order quantity; the note beneath it translates the number into real-world terms.
Formula & constants
Dry sand weighs about 100 lb/ft³. Area × (depth ÷ 12) × 100 ÷ 2,000 = tons; a ton is forty 50 lb bags. Paver bedding uses exactly 1 in of concrete sand. Every default in the fields above is editable — when your supplier’s spec sheet lists a different density, coverage rate or price, enter that number instead. The waste and compaction allowances follow common trade practice; see our methodology page for the derivation of each formula and the standards it references.
One ton covers ~114 sq ft at 2 in deep.
Where this fits in the project
Aggregate quantities feed the layers above them: after excavation, base material is placed in compacted lifts before asphalt or concrete goes down. Convert your tonnage to trips with the truckload calculator before scheduling delivery.
How this connects to your project
No quantity stands alone — each material in the chain depends on the ones around it. These are the planning steps that pair with the sand calculator:
- Gravel Calculator — Sand is finer aggregate compared to gravel.
- Aggregate Calculator — Sand is fine aggregate in construction.
- Concrete Calculator — Sand is the fine aggregate in concrete mix.
- Paver Base Calculator — Bedding sand is the top layer under pavers.
- Paver Calculator — Sand fills joints between pavers.
- Fill Dirt Calculator — Sand drains better than fill dirt for certain applications.
- French Drain Calculator — Coarse sand can be used in drainage applications.
- Topsoil Calculator — Sand is not a growing medium unlike topsoil.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand for paver bedding?
Exactly 1 in of concrete (coarse) sand — one ton beds about 200 sq ft. Never use fine mason sand for bedding.
Wet or dry weight when ordering?
Suppliers sell by wet weight as-delivered; wet sand runs ~120 lb/ft³, so a ‘ton’ of wet sand is less material.
Last verified: — prices reflect current national averages. See our methodology.
Estimates are for planning. Material densities, coverage rates and prices vary by region and supplier — confirm final quantities before ordering, and check local code where structural or electrical work is involved.