Sand calculator for Rhode Island
Find mason or washed sand quantities in cubic yards and tons, then review depth guidance for each type of job.
Enter your project dimensions
A cubic yard of dry sand is about 2,700 lb, or 1.35 tons. After rain, wet sand may reach 3,200 lb, so it is harder to handle even though the ordered amount is unchanged. This calculator uses area and depth to estimate yards and tons for our two sand types. Review the depth notes below, since applications range from a precise 1-inch paver setting bed to a 6-inch sandbox.
Sand calculation method
- Record the area in feet. For round pools or fire pits, enter the diameter and let circle mode calculate the area.
- Set the depth by the application rather than estimating it. See the guidance in the following section.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards, then multiply yards by 1.35 for dry-sand tons.
Sand depth by application
- Use 1 inch of coarse sand for paver bedding, screeded level and kept no deeper. Extra depth can allow pavers to shift over time. The Paver Sand Calculator explains the full layer arrangement.
- Sandboxes need 6 inches of washed sand. For an 8 x 8 box, allow about 1.2 yards and 1.6 tons.
- For an above-ground pool base, use 2 inches of mason sand, screed it level, and keep stones away from the liner.
- Lawn leveling calls for a quarter to a half inch of sand worked into the soil. Applying straight sand over clay can create a layer that roots will not cross.
- For typical mortar and concrete mixes, use a ton of sand for 7 to 8 bags of cement and follow 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
For mortar, paver joints, pool bases, and work needing an even, smooth grain, use finely screened mason sand. Washed sand is rinsed to remove clay and silt, making it suitable for bedding, sandboxes, and general mixes. Since both products have the same weight per yard, the calculator gives the same result for either one. The intended use determines the selection. Mason sand is appropriate under pool liners.
Comparing bag quantities
A 50 lb bag contains about half a cubic foot, meaning 54 bags equal a cubic yard. At 1 inch of depth, each bag covers roughly 6 square feet. A 300-square-foot bedding area therefore requires 25 bags from a store shelf, or one tipped ton from us, delivered free without a skid. Cover sand with a tarp on site: wet material is difficult to screed and can weigh a fifth more with each shovel.
Sand for mortar and concrete
For concrete mixed at 3:2:1, using stone, sand, and cement, plan on about a ton of sand per 7 to 8 bags of cement. A 100-block wall requires roughly a third of a ton of mason sand for mortar. Use washed sand for concrete and mason sand for mortar. For structural pours over a yard or two, compare ready-mix pricing with the DIY calculation before setting aside the weekend.
Common sand quantity questions
What quantity of sand is needed?
What is the weight of a yard of sand?
How many 50 lb sand bags make a yard?
What is the sand requirement for a sandbox?
Which sand belongs under an above-ground pool?
Which sand works for paver bedding and joints?
Do you sell sand by ton or by yard?
Other calculators
Mason and washed sand delivery
Order mason or washed sand by the ton, with free delivery across Rhode Island.
