RRenoCalc
Home›Mulch & Gravel›Sand Calculator

Sand Calculator

Calculate sand for paver bases, drainage trenches, leveling lawns, sandboxes, and fill projects. Cubic yards, bags (50-lb or bulk), and total cost.

You'll need
0.99 cu yd · 14 bags
Cost
$42–$84
Project details
Areas
Area 1
LengthWidthside viewDepth
Area: 160 sq ftVolume: 26.67 cu ft
Total160 sq ft · 26.67 cu ft
Material
Sand (general fill) · Leveling, drainage, paver base.
Default depth: 2"Density: ~100 lbs/cu ftCompaction: 10% extra
How you'll buy it

Leave blank to use estimate

Default: $20–$40/yd

Typical: $50–$120

Extras

Plastic, metal, or stone edging

Cost breakdown

Showing bag pricing (2 cu ft bags).
Sand (general fill) · 14 × 2 cu ft bags$42 – $84
Total project cost$42 – $84
💡 Comparison: 14 bags would cost $42 – $84; bulk (1.00 yd) would cost $20 – $40.

Shopping list

Everything you need for this project.
  • Sand (general fill) (2 cu ft bags)14
  • Wheelbarrow1
  • Garden rake & flat shovel1 set
  • Gloves1 pair
  • Tamper or hand compactor (for compaction)optional
Ready to buy?
Pick up sand (general fill) bags at Home Depot or Lowe's.
Shop now →

Math breakdown

Step-by-step from your inputs.
Area 1 · 20 × 8 × 2"/1226.67 cu ft
Total volume26.67 cu ft
Cubic yards · ÷ 270.99 cu yd
Bags · ÷ 2 cu ft per bag14 bags
Weight · @ 100 lbs/cu ft2,667 lbs (1.33 tons)

Pro tips

Paver bases: 1-inch sand over 4-inch gravel. Don't pour pavers directly on sand alone — they'll shift. Build a 4-inch compacted gravel base first, then 1 inch of leveling sand on top before laying pavers.

Use the right sand for the job. Concrete sand (coarse) for paver bases. Mason sand (fine) for mixing mortar. Play sand (washed) for sandboxes. Don't mix them — concrete sand in a sandbox is uncomfortable.

Sandbox: 6 inches deep. Standard sandbox needs about 6 inches of sand. A 4×4 sandbox at 6 inches = about 0.25 cubic yards (8 bags of 50-lb play sand).

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet in a 50 lb bag of sand?▾
Roughly 0.5 cubic feet per 50-lb bag. So 2 bags = 1 cubic foot, and 54 bags = 1 cubic yard. The calculator handles the math for your project.
How much sand under pavers?▾
1-inch layer of concrete/leveling sand. For a 100 sq ft patio, that's about 0.31 cubic yards or roughly 17 fifty-pound bags.
Sand vs. gravel for drainage?▾
Coarse sand drains, but gravel drains better. For French drains, use pea gravel or crushed stone. Sand is mostly for paver bases and leveling.
Will sand kill weeds?▾
A thick layer (3+ inches) on top of soil will smother existing weeds and prevent new ones short-term. But sand alone doesn't last as a weed barrier — use landscape fabric.

Related calculators

Gravel Calculator
Calculate how much gravel you need in cubic yards, tons, and bags. Compare bulk delivery vs. bagged costs for driveways, paths, and drainage.
Topsoil Calculator
Calculate topsoil for lawns, raised beds, and garden projects. Get cubic yards, bags, weight, and bulk vs. bagged cost comparison.
Pea Gravel Calculator
Calculate pea gravel for walkways, patios, French drains, and dog runs. Cubic yards, tons, bag count, and bulk vs. bagged cost.
River Rock Calculator
Calculate river rock for landscape beds, dry creek beds, drainage, and decorative ground cover. Cubic yards, weight in tons, and total project cost.
Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual material quantities and costs may vary based on site conditions, material availability, and local pricing.