Sand is an area-times-depth problem: work out the volume, multiply by the density for tonnage, and add a little for compaction. The one thing that changes the answer — beyond the size — is the type of sand. Here is the method and how to pick.
The method
Volume = area × depth, then multiply by the density for tonnage. A 20 × 10 ft area (200 sq ft / 18.6 m²) of bedding sand at 1 in (25 mm) is about 0.6 yd³ (0.47 m³); at roughly 1.35 US tons per cubic yard (1.6 t/m³) that is about 0.8 US tons — order around 0.9 US tons with a 10% allowance.
Sand Calculator
Enter the area and depth for the tons, cubic yards and bags — paver, bedding, concrete, masonry or play sand.
Which sand for the job?
| Use | Sand type |
|---|---|
| Bedding pavers, mixing concrete | Sharp / concrete sand |
| Mortar and plaster | Soft / building (masonry) sand |
| Paver joints | Washed / jointing sand |
| Sandbox | Clean, graded play sand |
| Bulk filling | Fill sand |
They have slightly different densities, which is why the calculator sets one per type.
Paver (bedding) sand
Pavers bed on a screeded layer of sharp/washed sand, normally 1 in (25 mm) thick. Don’t confuse it with the jointing sand swept into the gaps, or the compacted base gravel underneath — those are separate orders. 200 sq ft at 1 in is about 17 cu ft (0.5 m³).
Tons per yard, and bags
About 1.3–1.4 US tons per cubic yard of dry sand (roughly 1.5–1.6 tonnes per m³); damp sand weighs more. A 50 lb (~40 kg) bag holds roughly 0.5 cu ft, so it takes about 54 bags to make a cubic yard. Bags suit small jobs; above about half a cubic yard, bulk delivery is far cheaper.