How Much Sand Do You Need?
Calculate tons or cubic yards of sand for paver base, sandbox, leveling, and masonry.
Sand Types and Uses
Coarse/concrete sand: Angular grains, compacts well. Ideal for paver bedding, concrete mixing, and pipe bedding. Play sand: Fine, smooth, washed. For sandboxes and play areas. Mason sand: Fine, screened. For mortar mixing, volleyball courts, and between pavers. Fill sand: Cheapest, unscreened. For backfill, grading, and sub-base layers only.
How Much for Common Projects
Sandbox (8×8×8"): 1.6 cubic yards / 2.1 tons. Paver base (200 sqft × 1"): 0.62 cubic yards / 0.84 tons. Leveling layer (500 sqft × 2"): 3.1 cubic yards / 4.2 tons. Like gravel, bulk delivery becomes much cheaper than bags above 1-2 tons.
Sand compacts about 15% when tamped. For a 1-inch finished bedding layer under pavers, spread 1.15 inches of loose sand before screeding. Use 1-inch diameter pipes as screed rails — lay them on the gravel base, pour sand between, and drag a straight board across the tops.
