Sand calculator for Alaska
Find mason or washed sand quantities in cubic yards and tons, with project-specific depth guidance.
Enter your project dimensions
A cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb, or 1.35 tons. Rain-soaked sand may reach 3,200 lb, so it is tougher to move even though the order amount stays the same. Use this calculator to turn area and depth into tons and yards for the two sand types we carry. Depth matters, from a precise 1-inch paver bed to a 6-inch sandbox.
Sand calculation basics
- Start with the area in feet. For round pools or fire pits, enter the diameter, then let circle mode do the calculation.
- Choose the depth called for by the project, rather than estimating. The section below gives the guidelines.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.35 for dry-sand tons.
Sand depth for each job
- Paver bedding needs 1 inch of screeded coarse sand and no deeper. Added depth can leave pavers unsteady later. The Paver Sand Calculator explains the full layer setup.
- For a sandbox, allow 6 inches of washed sand. A 8 x 8 box needs about 1.2 yards, or 1.6 tons.
- Use 2 inches of mason sand below an above-ground pool. Screed it level and keep stones away from the liner.
- Blend a quarter to a half inch of sand into the soil when leveling a lawn. A layer of straight sand over clay can keep roots from growing through it.
- For typical mortar and concrete, plan on a ton of sand for each 7 to 8 bags of cement, then follow the required 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
Mason sand has a fine, closely screened texture for mortar, paver joints, pool bases, and other work that needs an even grain. Washed sand has clay and silt removed and works well for bedding, sandboxes, and general mixes. Since both weigh the same by the yard, either selection calculates the same, but the application determines the right material. Mason sand is a sound choice beneath pools because it screeds smoothly.
Comparing bulk sand with bags
A 50 lb bag provides about half a cubic foot, while a cubic yard takes 54 bags. At 1 inch of depth, each bag covers roughly 6 square feet. For a 300-square-foot bedding area, that comes to 25 store bags or one bulk ton. Keep the pile under a tarp, especially during breakup season, because wet sand is hard to screed and can weigh a fifth more with every shovel.
Sand in concrete and mortar
For site-mixed concrete, a typical 3:2:1 blend of stone, sand, and cement uses about a ton of sand per 7 to 8 bags of cement. Mortar for a 100-block wall needs roughly a third of a ton of mason sand. Use washed sand in concrete and mason sand in mortar. Batch plants measure more consistently than a wheelbarrow, so check ready-mix costs against your DIY calculation for structural pours beyond a yard or two before giving up your weekend.
Common sand quantity questions
What amount of sand is needed?
What is the weight of a yard of sand?
How many 50 lb sand bags make one yard?
How much sand belongs in a sandbox?
Which sand should go below an above-ground pool?
Which sand works for paver bedding and joints?
Do you sell sand by ton or by yard?
More calculators
Mason and washed sand delivery
Order mason or washed sand by the ton with free delivery throughout Alaska.
