Sand is sold by volume (cubic yards) in bulk but by weight (50-lb bags) at the store, which makes estimating confusing. This calculator bridges the two: enter your area and depth, pick a sand type, and it returns cubic yards, cubic feet, tons, and bags — plus a bags-vs-bulk cost comparison so you buy the cheaper way.
How the calculation works
Every estimate starts with volume: area in square feet times depth in feet. Because depth is usually given in inches, the calculator divides inches by 12 first, then divides the cubic-foot result by 27 to get cubic yards. Weight comes from multiplying cubic feet by the sand's bulk density — about 100 lb/ft³ for dry sand and 120 lb/ft³ when wet — and tons are that weight divided by 2,000. Bags are the total weight divided by your bag size, rounded up. A compaction buffer adds a few percent of volume for base layers that will be tamped.
Sand types and what they're for
Fill sand is coarse and cheap, used to backfill and raise grade. Concrete (sharp) sand has angular grains that interlock and is the standard base under pavers and in concrete mixes. Mason sand is finer and smoother, used in mortar and as a bedding layer. Play sand is washed, screened fine sand certified safe for sandboxes. Densities are close — most sit between 95 and 110 lb/ft³ dry — so the bigger variable is moisture: saturated sand can weigh 25% more, which matters for trailer payload and delivery cost.
Coverage at a glance
One cubic yard of sand covers about 160 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 100 sq ft at 3 inches, or 50 sq ft at 6 inches. A 50-lb bag of dry sand is roughly half a cubic foot, so it covers about 3 sq ft at 2 inches deep. As a rule of thumb, a single cubic yard of dry sand weighs around 1.35 tons and equals roughly 54 fifty-pound bags.
Bags or bulk?
Bags are convenient and clean for small jobs, but they cost far more per ton — $4–$6 per 50-lb bag works out to $160–$240 per ton. Bulk sand delivered runs $15–$50 per ton plus a delivery fee. The break-even is usually around half a cubic yard: below that, bags win on convenience; above it, bulk is dramatically cheaper. The Bags vs Bulk tab does this math for your exact prices and tells you which is cheaper and by how much.
Limits and edge cases
Density varies by source and moisture, so treat the tonnage as an estimate and confirm with your supplier — order 5–10% extra to avoid a second trip. The calculator assumes a uniform depth over the whole area; for sloped or uneven ground, average the depth or split the area into sections. It does not model the load-bearing requirements of a structural base — for driveways, footings, or anything bearing weight, follow local code and a contractor's spec.