How many bags of sand do I need for 1 yard?

Construction & MaterialsAggregate Volume & Weight

Sand Calculator

Calculate volume and weight of sand needed for pavers, sandboxes, masonry mortar, or pipe bedding.

Construction & Materials Field StandardsAggregate Volume & Weight

Engineering formulations calibrated to IPC, UPC & NEC specificationsSub-Zero Cold Climate Tolerances

Quick Summary & Key Answer

To calculate sand needed, multiply length by width by depth (in feet) to find cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by 1.35 to 1.40 to convert to US tons. For example, a 10' x 20' area at 2 inches deep requires 1.23 cubic yards (1.75 tons, or 70 50-lb bags).

1 Cubic Yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,700 to 2,800 lbs (1.35-1.4 tons).
Standard paver bedding sand thickness is exactly 1 inch.
Never use fine beach sand for pavers; use sharp coarse ASTM C33 sand.

Interactive Calculator

Adjust inputs for real-time results

Lengthfeet

feet

Widthfeet

feet

Depthinches

inches

Sand Type

Calculated OutputSand Estimate Ready

Volume in Cubic Yards

1.23cu yd

Total Weight in US Tons: 1.75 tons
Weight in Pounds: 3,500 lbs
50-lb Pre-Packaged Bags: 70 bags
Total Volume in Cubic Feet: 33.3 cu ft

Note: Includes zero waste. For paver bedding or excavation grading, add 10% for compaction and spillage.

Choosing the Right Sand

Coarse concrete sand locks interlocking pavers in place, while masonry sand provides smooth mortar consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding this calculation and code compliance

One cubic yard of sand weighs roughly 2,700 lbs, requiring fifty-four (54) 50-lb bags.