Sand volume, weight, and bag count
Volume describes the specified layer before any extra settling allowance. Weight follows the density you enter. Moisture and grading affect bulk density, so obtain the supplier’s figure instead of treating the default as a universal material property.
For a separate gravel layer beneath the landscape surface, the Gravel Calculator can estimate that material independently.
The formula
The entered depth is converted to feet before multiplying by surface area. Bulk density converts the layer volume into an estimated order weight. Bag count is based on that weight and rounds upward to complete packages.
Worked example
Covering 100 ft² with 2 in of sand requires 16.667 ft³, or 0.6173 yd³. At an entered density of 100 lb/ft³, weight is 1,666.667 lb or 0.8333 short tons. Fifty-pound bags give a rounded count of 34.
How to use this calculator
- Enter landscape area, sand layer depth using the units shown.
- Set supplier bulk density, weight per bag.
- Calculate and review sand volume alongside the supporting quantities.
Use sand specified for the landscape job
Play sand, bedding sand, horticultural sand, and masonry sand can have different grading and intended uses. The calculator estimates quantity without choosing a material. Soil amendment with sand also requires attention to the existing soil and blend; a geometric quantity does not establish whether an amendment improves drainage or plant conditions.
Ordering by volume or weight
Some suppliers sell cubic yards and others sell tons or bags. Match the density to the delivered condition because water content and void space affect bulk weight. If installation requires a compacted depth, the delivered loose volume can be larger. Ask for the appropriate allowance and include it in the entered depth or calculate it separately.
Assumptions & limitations
What this calculation assumes
- One uniform layer and a supplied bulk density describe the order.
What to keep in mind
- Excludes compaction, moisture correction, grading selection, and soil amendment suitability.
Common questions
Can I use a wet sand density?
Yes, when it describes the supplied material. Do not mix a dry density with a wet delivered weight.
Is a ton the same as a cubic yard?
No. A ton measures mass and a cubic yard measures volume. Their relationship depends on bulk density.
Does this account for compacted thickness?
No. Match the entered density and layer depth to the intended condition, and obtain any loose-to-compacted allowance from the supplier.
Sources & further reading
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