Choose volume-to-weight or weight-to-volume.
Calculate bedding, masonry, fill, or leveling sand from area and depth. Select Custom material and enter your supplier's density for the most accurate tonnage.
Verified formulaEditable presetsUS + metric
Purpose-built estimator
Project measurements
Choose the known value.
Known sand volume.
Changes the starting bulk density for moisture.
Density used for bidirectional conversion.
Optional supplier price used to estimate material cost before delivery fees and taxes.
Sand conversion
- 1Measured volume
- 2Moisture condition
- 3Bulk density
- 4Calculated weight
How to use this calculator
Read full measuring guide Measure, verify, and order
Use volume when measuring a layer and use weight when converting a supplier quote.
Pick sand moisture condition.
Override density when supplier data is available.
What each input means
Convert from
Choose the known value.
Use volume if measuring an area; use weight if you have a supplier quote.Sand volume
Known sand volume.
Unit: cu yd. Enter cubic yards from plans or measurement.Sand weight
Known sand weight.
Unit: US tons. Enter US short tons.Sand condition
Changes the starting bulk density for moisture.
Pick the closest condition, then override density if known.Bulk density
Density used for bidirectional conversion.
Unit: lb/ft3 or kg/m3. Ask the supplier for dry or moist bulk density.Price per ton
Optional supplier price used to estimate material cost before delivery fees and taxes.
Unit: USD per US ton. Enter the quoted material price per US short ton. Leave 0 if you only need quantity.Check the calculation
Example: 1 cubic yard at 100 lb/ft3 weighs 1.35 US tons.
A 12 × 12 ft area at 2 inches deep contains 0.89 compacted cubic yards before allowances.
Total loose order 1.00 cu yd Total weight 1.35 US tons
Weight = volume x density. Volume = weight / density.
Assumptions to check
- Ask the supplier for bulk density or tons per cubic yard.
- Moist sand can weigh materially more than dry sand.
- Choose the sand type specified for the application.
- Moisture is variable.
- Does not estimate washout or loss during placement.
- Specialty sands may need supplier-specific density.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this sand tons and cubic yards calculator calculate?
It uses project-specific inputs and the formula shown below. Weight = volume x density. Volume = weight / density.
Are the presets exact specifications?
No. Presets are editable planning starting points. Confirm depths, materials, and densities with the supplier, manufacturer, or project designer.
Why can delivered weight differ?
Dry, damp, compacted, and different sand gradations can have significantly different bulk densities. Moisture, gradation, compaction, and scale accuracy can change the delivered weight.