By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Sand is sold by volume but limited by weight, and its density changes with moisture. This calculator gives both: cubic yards for the order and tons for the truck or trailer limit, based on a typical 1,600 kg/m³ for damp all-purpose sand.
Sand for bedding, fill, mortar and playgrounds — by volume, weight and cost.
V = L × W × D W = V × ρ Cost = V × price
Depth is entered in inches. Bulk density is taken as 1,600 kg/m³ (damp all-purpose sand); real material varies with moisture and compaction, so treat the total as an estimate and add 5–10% for settling.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| L, W | Length and width of the area being covered. |
| D | Spread depth of the material. |
| V | Volume in cubic yards (and cubic metres). |
| ρ | Bulk density of the material. |
| W | Total weight, shown in pounds and US tons. |
144 sq ft at 1 inch is 12 cu ft, or 0.44 cu yd and about 710 kg (1,570 lb) of sand — roughly 32 bags of 50 lb.
Continue with the Gravel Calculator, Rock Calculator, River Rock Calculator, or the Limestone Calculator — or browse more materials & quantities and all construction calculators.
About 2,700 lb (1,220 kg) dry and up to 3,000 lb damp. Wet sand can overload a light trailer quickly.
Results use standard construction estimating arithmetic: volumes from measured area and depth, unit weights from published material densities, and code-referenced spans or clearances where the page names a code. Quantities are rounded up to whole saleable units and include the stated waste allowance. These tools are planning aids, not structural design, and do not replace a licensed engineer, a local code check, or a contractor's site measurement.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026