Sand Calculator

Enter the length, width and depth and get the sand to order in tons, cubic yards or bags, rounded up once to the way it is sold, with the working shown for an example.

Estimates for planning, not professional advice. Read the full notice.

Area size

Feet and inches, like 12' 6"

Feet and inches, like 12' 6"

Inches, like 4 in

Example: a sand area

1 ton to order (0.9 tons exact)

  • Volume in the area 16.67 ft³
  • Cubic yards to order 0.62 yd³
  • Cubic yards at the supplier's step 1 yd³
  • Tons at the weight above 0.9 tons
  • Tons at the supplier's step 1 ton

Shopping list

Example: a sand area
ItemSizeBuy
Sand by the ton1 ton1 ton

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    Worked example: a sand area

    Show the working
    1. Area 10 ft × 10 ft = 100 ft²
    2. Volume at the depth 100 ft² × 2 in = 16.67 ft³
    3. Add the waste allowance, once 16.666667 ft³ + 0 % waste = 16.67 ft³
    4. Cubic yards: divide by the cubic feet in a yard 16.666667 ft³ ÷ 27 ft³ in a yd³ = 0.62 yd³
    5. Tons: multiply by the weight of a cubic yard 0.617284 yd³ × 1.45 ton/yd³ = 0.9 tons
    6. Round up once, to the supplier's ton step 0.9 tons = 1 ton

    Assumptions

    The figures behind the example. Sourced figures link to their source below; a default is a starting value to check against your label or supplier.

    Sand weight 1.45 ton/yd³[1]
    Default New Mexico EMNRD's factor for sand. It does not say wet or dry, loose or compacted; USBR says moist loose sand weighs much less than dry compacted sand.
    Landscape waste or overage 0%
    Default No silent overage. Check your label or supplier.
    Supplier's smallest yard step 0.5 yd³
    Default Suppliers sell bulk in steps. Check your label or supplier.
    Supplier's smallest ton step 1 ton
    Default Suppliers sell by the ton in steps. Check your label or supplier.
    Sand bag size 0.5 ft³
    Default Bag sizes are on the label. Check your label or supplier.

    Sand by the cubic yard: tons and bags

    Tons and bags of sand for whole cubic yards, at the weight and bag size in the assumptions

    Cubic yardsCubic feetTons at the weight aboveBags of 0.5 ft³
    1 yd³ 27 ft³1.45 ton54 bags
    2 yd³ 54 ft³2.9 ton108 bags
    5 yd³ 135 ft³7.25 ton270 bags
    10 yd³ 270 ft³14.5 ton540 bags

    Each row is worked out on its own: the volume times the weight for tons, and the volume over the bag size, rounded up once, for bags.

    Sand weights from the sources

    Weight of a cubic yard of sand as each source gives it

    Source and caseWeight per cubic yard
    New Mexico EMNRD, sand (source does not say loose or compacted) 1.45 ton/yd³
    MoDOT, sand, loose: from 2,630 lb/yd³
    MoDOT, sand, loose: to 2,960 lb/yd³

    Sources: [1][2]

    The sources differ. New Mexico EMNRD does not say whether its figure is loose or compacted, and MoDOT does not say wet or dry, so the calculator starts from the first and lets you change it.

    Questions

    What does a bag of sand cover?

    A bag covers its own volume divided by the depth. Pick your bag size from the label, choose bags in Order by, and the calculator counts whole bags for your area and depth.

    How many tons is a cubic yard of sand?

    The table multiplies cubic yards by the weight in the assumptions, a New Mexico EMNRD factor that does not say wet or dry. Weights differ between sources and suppliers, so enter the weight your supplier gives.

    How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?

    The table lists bags for whole yards at the bag size in the assumptions, each rounded up once.

    Sources (2)
    1. Conversion Factors for Construction Materials and Common Minerals, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division, undated one-page table, adapted from BLM H-3890-1 Handbook for Mineral Examiners. Code or government
      “To convert cubic yards to short tons, multiply the commodity production cubic yardage by the conversion factors listed below. ... Base course 1.25 ... Fill Dirt 0.8 ... Gravel ¼" – 2" 1.42 ... Sand 1.45 ... Top Soil 0.8”
      Checked November 12, 2026. Figures and codes change; verify with the source. Back to where this is used
    2. Highway Maintenance Tables and Conversion Factors, Compacted and Loose Weights of Various Materials, Missouri Department of Transportation (Engineering Policy Guide attachment; the table is a Michigan LTAP table hosted by MoDOT), file modified December 12, 2024; PDF p. 5, a rotated page; the loose rows were read from the PDF text with glyph positions (HC1, November 12, 2026). Code or government
      “LOOSE WEIGHTS OF VARIOUS MATERIALS ... Granite or Limestone 89 2,410 67 ... 93 2,500 69 ... 96 2,590 72 ... Sand 97 2,630 73 ... 110 2,960 82”
      Checked November 12, 2026. Figures and codes change; verify with the source. Back to where this is used

    These are summaries of what the sources say, not professional advice. Codes and product data change. Check with your building department and the product label about your own project.

    Sources

    • [1] New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Mining and Minerals Division, Conversion Factors for Construction Materials and Common Minerals. Checked November 12, 2026. https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/mmd/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/ConvFctrs.pdf
    • [2] Missouri Department of Transportation (Engineering Policy Guide attachment; the table is a Michigan LTAP table hosted by MoDOT), Highway Maintenance Tables and Conversion Factors, Compacted and Loose Weights of Various Materials. Checked November 12, 2026. https://epg.modot.org/files/a/ad/Highway_Maintenance_Tables_and_Conversion_Factors.pdf

    Made with HoneyDoMath.com. Estimates for planning; check product labels and local codes before you buy or build.