Sand Coverage Calculator
Enter cubic yards and sand depth to see coverage area.
Sand Coverage Formula
Understanding Sand Coverage
Sand Coverage Rates
| Depth | Coverage per CY | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | Paver leveling bed |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | Sandbox base, paver setting bed |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | Play area sand, volleyball courts |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | Beach volleyball, deep sandboxes |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | Bunker sand, playground fall zones |
| 12 inches | 27 sq ft | Deep playground areas, horse arenas |
Sand Types and Their Applications
- Concrete sand: Coarse, washed sand for concrete mixing and paver bedding. Weight: 2,700 lbs per CY.
- Mason sand: Fine, screened sand for mortar, stucco, and sandbox fill. Weight: 2,500 lbs per CY.
- Play sand: Washed, sieved sand certified safe for children. Weight: 2,500 lbs per CY.
- Fill sand: Unscreened sand for backfill and grading. Cheapest option. Weight: 2,600 lbs per CY.
Sand for Paver Installation
Paver projects require two sand layers: the setting bed (1 inch of concrete sand under pavers) and joint sand (swept into gaps after placement). Calculate setting bed sand at 1 inch depth over the full paver area.
Sand Coverage Calculator FAQ
Multiply area in sq ft by depth in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards. For 500 sq ft at 2 inches: 500 x 0.167 / 27 = 3.09 CY. Add 10% for waste.
One CY covers 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, 108 sq ft at 3 inches, 81 sq ft at 4 inches. Very consistent because sand particles pack tightly.
You need 1 inch of bedding sand. For 200 sq ft: 200 x 0.083 / 27 = 0.62 CY bedding sand, plus about 200 lbs of polymeric joint sand.
A 6x6 ft sandbox at 12 inches: 36 x 1 / 27 = 1.33 CY (about 3,300 lbs). An 8x8 at 12 inches: 2.37 CY. Use play-grade washed sand.
Sand weighs 2,500-2,700 lbs per CY depending on type and moisture. Concrete sand averages 2,700 lbs, mason sand 2,500 lbs. Wet sand weighs 20-30% more.
A cubic yard requires 54 standard 50-lb bags. Each 50-lb bag contains approximately 0.5 cubic feet of sand.