Quick answer: cubic yards = length × width × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Paver bedding is 1 inch deep, so a 200 ft² patio needs 16.7 ft³ ≈ 0.62 yards ≈ 1,700 lb. Dry sand is 1.35 tons per yard; wet sand about 1.62.
Which sand for which job
| Type | Grain | Use it for | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete / coarse sand | Angular, 1–2 mm | Paver bedding, concrete mixing | Sandboxes |
| Mason sand | Fine, uniform | Mortar, smooth finishes | Structural bedding |
| Play sand | Washed, rounded | Sandboxes, children's play | Bedding — it shifts |
| Polymeric sand | Fine + binder | Paver joints only | Bedding layer |
| Fill sand | Coarse, unwashed | Backfill, drainage, levelling | Finished surfaces |
The distinction that costs people money is bedding sand. Rounded play sand looks cleaner and is easier to screed, but its grains roll past each other under load, so pavers laid on it settle and rut within a season. Angular concrete sand locks together and stays put — use it for anything that will be walked or driven on.
Coverage and common jobs
| Job | Depth | Per 100 ft² | 0.5 ft³ bags per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding | 1 in | 0.31 yd³ (8.3 ft³) | 17 |
| Paver bedding (thick) | 1.5 in | 0.46 yd³ (12.5 ft³) | 25 |
| Levelling / screed layer | 2 in | 0.62 yd³ (16.7 ft³) | 34 |
| Above-ground pool base | 2 in | 0.62 yd³ | 34 |
| Sandbox fill | 10 in | 3.09 yd³ (83.3 ft³) | 167 |
| Drainage backfill | 6 in | 1.85 yd³ (50 ft³) | 100 |
Two quick worked examples. A 4 × 4 ft sandbox at 10 inches: 16 ft² × 0.833 ft = 13.3 ft³, about 27 bags of half a cubic foot. A 12 × 16 ft paver patio with a 1-inch bed: 192 × 0.0833 = 16 ft³, or 0.59 cubic yards — right at the point where a bulk half-yard delivery beats 32 bags on both price and effort.
Common mistakes & pro tips
- Play sand under pavers. Rounded grains never lock. Use concrete sand for anything load-bearing.
- Bedding laid too thick. One inch is the standard for a reason — a deep bedding layer keeps consolidating and pavers sink unevenly. Build depth into the gravel base instead.
- Buying dry-weight tonnage for damp sand. Delivered sand usually carries moisture, so a ton occupies less volume than the dry figure suggests. Order by volume where you can.
- Depth left in inches. One inch is 0.0833 ft, not 1. Use the depth field's unit selector.
- Pro tip — screed rails. Two lengths of 1-inch pipe laid on the base give a perfect 1-inch bed every time. Screed across them, lift them, fill the grooves.
- Pro tip — order a little extra. Sand disappears into an uneven base. Ten percent over is normal and rarely wasted.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need for pavers?
Bedding sand goes down 1 inch thick, screeded level. A 200 square foot patio therefore needs 200 × 0.0833 = 16.7 cubic feet, about 0.62 cubic yards or roughly 1,700 pounds. Use coarse concrete sand for bedding, not fine play sand, because angular grains lock together and resist settling.
How many tons is a cubic yard of sand?
About 1.35 tons dry, or 2,700 pounds, at 100 lb per cubic foot. Wet sand is roughly 20 percent heavier at about 1.62 tons per yard. Since sand is usually delivered damp and sold by the ton, that difference is worth checking before you order.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
A 4 × 4 ft sandbox filled 10 inches deep needs 13.3 cubic feet, which is about 27 bags of 0.5 cubic feet each. A larger 5 × 5 ft box at the same depth needs 20.8 cubic feet. Use washed, screened play sand rated for children rather than builders' sand.
What type of sand should I use?
Concrete or coarse sand for paver bedding and mixing concrete, because its angular grains interlock. Play sand for sandboxes, since it is washed and screened for safety. Mason sand for mortar and smooth finishes. Polymeric sand only for the joints between pavers, where it hardens to lock them in place.
How many bags of sand are in a cubic yard?
Fifty-four bags of 0.5 cubic feet each, or 27 bags of 1 cubic foot. Bagged sand is convenient for small jobs but several times the price of bulk delivery, so anything past about half a cubic yard is usually cheaper loose.