Sand calculator for Washington
Calculate mason and washed sand in cubic yards or tons, with depth recommendations by project.
Enter your project dimensions
A cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb, or 1.35 tons. Wet material can weigh as much as 3,200 lb, so frequent rain can make a pile feel heavier even though the delivered amount is unchanged. This calculator converts your area and depth into yards and tons for our two sand types. Check the depth guide closely: paver bedding needs a consistent 1-inch layer, while a sandbox can require 6-inch.
Sand calculations
- Use feet to measure the area. For pools and fire pits, enter the diameter and let circle mode calculate the area.
- Match the depth to the application rather than estimating. Depth guidance is in the next section.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. For dry-sand tons, multiply yards by 1.35.
Sand depth for each job
- Use 1 inch of screeded coarse sand beneath pavers, and do not go deeper. Added depth can cause pavers to shift over time. Find the full layer details in the Paver Sand Calculator.
- Washed sand for sandboxes goes 6 inches deep. An 8 x 8 box needs about 1.2 yards, or 1.6 tons.
- Place 2 inches of mason sand below an above-ground pool. Screed it level and keep stones away from the liner.
- For lawn leveling, mix a quarter to a half inch of sand into the soil. Over clay or hardpan, a plain sand layer can block root growth between layers.
- For standard mortar or concrete mixes, allow a ton of sand for 7 to 8 bags of cement, then use the specified mix ratio.
Sand coverage and weight
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | ≈ 240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 120 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 80 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ≈ 40 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | 20 x 15 ft patio | 1" | 0.9 yd³ | 1.3 tons |
| Kids' sandbox | 8 x 8 ft | 6" | 1.2 yd³ | 1.6 tons |
| Above-ground pool base | 15 ft round | 2" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.5 tons |
| Volleyball court refresh | 30 x 60 ft | 2" | 11.1 yd³ | 15 tons |
| Lawn leveling blend | ≈ 500 sq ft | 0.5" | 0.8 yd³ | 1 tons |
Choosing mason or washed sand
Choose finer, consistently screened mason sand for mortar, paver joints, pool bases, and work that calls for a smooth grain. Washed sand has clay and silt rinsed out and suits bedding, sandboxes, and mixes. The weight per yard is the same for both, so either choice produces the same calculator result. Mason sand also screeds smoothly beneath pools.
Compare bulk sand with bags
A 50 lb bag provides about half a cubic foot, and 54 bags make a cubic yard. Spread 1 inch deep, one bag covers roughly 6 square feet. A 300-square-foot bedding area needs 25 bags from a store shelf, or one skid-free tipped ton from us, delivered free. Tarp sand at the job site. Rain-soaked material is harder to screed and can add a fifth more weight to each shovel.
Sand for mortar and concrete
Making concrete on site? A 3:2:1 mix of stone, sand, and cement uses about a ton of sand per 7 to 8 bags of cement. Mortar for a 100-block wall requires roughly a third of a ton of mason sand. Put washed sand in concrete and mason sand in mortar. Batch plants can control proportions more closely than a wheelbarrow, so compare ready-mix with DIY costs for structural pours beyond a yard or two before giving up your weekend.
Common sand quantity questions
How much sand is required?
What does a yard of sand weigh?
How many 50 lb bags make a yard?
How much sand fills a sandbox?
Which sand goes below an above-ground pool?
Which sand works for paver beds and joints?
Do you sell sand by ton or yard?
More calculators
Two sand options with free delivery
Order mason or washed sand by the ton with free delivery throughout Washington.
