Sand calculator for Iowa
Find mason or washed sand quantities in tons and cubic yards, then check the depth guidance for each type of job.
Enter your project dimensions
One cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb, or 1.35 tons. Once wet, it may reach 3,200 lb, so the pile is harder to move after rain even though the order amount stays the same. Use this calculator to turn area and depth into tons and yards for our two sand types. Review the depth guide below, since applications run from a 1-inch paver setting bed to a 6-inch sandbox.
Sand calculations
- Enter area measurements in feet. For pools, fire pits, and other circles, provide the diameter and circle mode does the calculation.
- Match the depth to the project. The required depths appear in the next section.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 for cubic yards. Multiply yards by 1.35 to find dry-sand tons.
Job depths for sand
- Paver bedding needs 1 inch of coarse, screeded sand. More depth can lead to pavers shifting underfoot. See the Paver Sand Calculator for the full layer setup.
- Fill sandboxes with 6 inches of washed sand. An 8 x 8 box needs about 1.2 yards and 1.6 tons.
- For an above-ground pool, use 2 inches of mason sand. Screed it flat and keep stones away from the liner.
- For lawn leveling, work a quarter to a half inch of sand into the soil. A straight sand layer over clay can stop roots from moving through it.
- For typical mortar and concrete mixes, allow a ton of sand for each 7 to 8 bags of cement, then use the specified mix ratio.
Sand coverage and weight
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 324 sq ft | ≈ 240 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | ≈ 120 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | ≈ 80 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | ≈ 40 sq ft |
| Project | Typical size | Depth | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paver bedding layer | 20 x 15 ft patio | 1" | 0.9 yd³ | 1.3 tons |
| Kids' sandbox | 8 x 8 ft | 6" | 1.2 yd³ | 1.6 tons |
| Above-ground pool base | 15 ft round | 2" | 1.1 yd³ | 1.5 tons |
| Volleyball court refresh | 30 x 60 ft | 2" | 11.1 yd³ | 15 tons |
| Lawn leveling blend | ≈ 500 sq ft | 0.5" | 0.8 yd³ | 1 tons |
Choosing mason or washed sand
Mason sand has a fine, even texture suited to mortar, paver joints, pool bases, and work that needs a smooth grain. Washed sand has clay and silt removed, making it useful for bedding, sandboxes, and mixes. Each weighs the same by the yard, so either choice produces the same calculator result. Use mason sand below pools for a smooth screeded base.
Comparing bulk sand with bags
A 50 lb bag contains about half a cubic foot, and 54 bags equal a cubic yard. Applied 1 inch deep, one bag covers roughly 6 square feet. For a 300-square-foot bedding project, that works out to 25 store bags or one skid-free tipped ton from us, delivered free. Tarp sand at the jobsite. A wet pile is difficult to screed and may weigh a fifth more with every shovel.
Sand for mortar and concrete
Planning to mix on site? In a standard 3:2:1 concrete blend of stone, sand, and cement, expect about a ton of sand for each 7 to 8 bags of cement. Mortar for a 100-block wall uses roughly a third of a ton of mason sand. Put washed sand in concrete and mason sand in mortar. Batch plants offer tighter tolerances than wheelbarrow mixing, so compare ready-mix pricing with DIY costs before taking on structural pours beyond a yard or two.
Common sand quantity questions
How much sand is required?
What is the weight of a yard of sand?
How many 50 lb bags equal one yard of sand?
How much sand should go in a sandbox?
Which sand belongs under an above-ground pool?
What sand works for paver bedding and joints?
Do you sell sand by ton or yard?
Other calculators
Two sand options with free delivery.
Order mason or washed sand by the ton with free delivery across Iowa.
