Sand Calculator

Turn area and average depth into volume, then use the chosen sand’s bulk density to estimate weight, tons, and bags.

Sand quantityVolume remains valid even when a trustworthy density is unavailable.

35sand bags

Net volume: 16.67 ft³ (0.62 yd³)
Order volume: 17.5 ft³ (0.65 yd³)
Estimated order weight: 1,750 lb
US short tons: 0.88
Whole bags: 35 × 50 lb

Weight depends on the editable bulk density. Use a supplier value for the same sand and material condition.

Show calculation

10 ft × 10 ft × 2 in ÷ 12 × (1 + 5%) × 100 lb/ft³ = 1,750 lb

Transparent method and editable product assumptions. Verify current labels and project requirements.

How this calculator works

Measure the filled area and use a realistic average depth. The calculator converts depth to the selected length system and reports both cubic feet/cubic yards or cubic meters.

Weight is calculated only from the editable bulk density. Bulk density includes air voids between grains and changes with grading, moisture, and compaction; particle density or specific gravity is not a substitute.

Waste is applied once before weight and bag count. A short ton is explicitly 2,000 lb; metric output uses kilograms, not an unlabeled “ton.”

Formula

Volume = area × depth; mass = order volume × matching bulk density; bags = ceil(mass ÷ bag mass)The live substitution appears with your result.

Control example: 10 m² at 5 cm

The geometry gives 0.5 m³.

For a sand with published loose density 1,370 kg/m³, mass is 685 kg and 25 kg packaging rounds to 28 bags.

Assumptions and limits

Area and depth describe one material state.
Density matches that same state and sand product.
Bag weight is net material mass from the label.
This general sand estimate is not bedding-sand or polymeric-joint coverage.

Common measuring mistakes

Using a universal sand density without checking the product.
Mixing metric tonnes and US short tons.
Applying compaction and waste as duplicate allowances.

Sources

Product-specific values remain editable. These sources support the method and stated examples; they are not a universal substitute for your supplier’s current label.

Dricon TUS Sand technical data sheet Published loose bulk density of 1,370 kg/m³ for that product only.
U.S. Silica density table Shows bulk and particle density as separate properties.

Questions people ask

What density should I use?

Use a bulk-density or weight-per-volume value from the supplier for the same sand and loose or compacted state.

Can I calculate volume without density?

Yes. Volume comes from geometry. Density is only needed to convert that volume to estimated mass and mass-based bags.

Is this for sand under pavers?

Use the dedicated Paver Sand Calculator so the bedding layer stays separate from base and polymeric joint material.