Sand calculator for Kansas
Find mason or washed sand totals in tons and cubic yards, plus depth guidance for each type of job.
Enter your project dimensions
One cubic yard of dry sand weighs about 2,700 lb, equal to 1.35 tons. Once wet, it can reach 3,200 lb, making the pile harder to move after rain without changing the amount ordered. This calculator turns your area and depth into yard and ton estimates for mason and washed sand. Check the depth guide below, since a paver bed calls for 1-inch while a sandbox can need 6-inch.
Sand calculations
- Enter the area in feet. For pools, fire pits, and other round areas, enter the diameter and use circle mode.
- Follow the depth required for the work. The section below gives the recommended depths.
- To get cubic yards, take cubic feet ÷ 27. For dry-sand tons, use yards × 1.35.
Sand depths by project
- Paver bedding needs 1 inch of screeded coarse sand and no deeper. Added depth can let pavers shift later. Use the Paver Sand Calculator for the complete layer layout.
- Fill sandboxes with 6 inches of washed sand. For an 8 x 8 box, allow about 1.2 yards or 1.6 tons.
- Set an above-ground pool on 2 inches of mason sand, screeded level. Do not leave stones against the liner.
- For lawn leveling, mix a quarter to a half inch of sand into the soil. On eastern Kansas clay, a plain sand layer can block root growth.
- For typical mortar and concrete, use a ton of sand for each 7 to 8 bags of cement, following 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 |
Mason sand versus washed sand
Mason sand has a finer screen and more uniform texture. Use it for mortar, paver joints, pool bases, and jobs needing a smooth grain. Washed sand has its clay and silt removed, making it useful for bedding, sandboxes, and mixes. Each has the same weight per yard, so either choice returns the same calculator total. Mason sand works well beneath pools because it screeds smooth.
Comparing bags and bulk sand
A 50 lb bag contains about half a cubic foot, while a cubic yard is 54 bags. At 1 inch of depth, a bag spreads over roughly 6 square feet. A 300-square-foot bedding area calls for 25 bags from a store shelf or one bulk ton. Tarp sand kept on site. A wet pile screeds poorly and can weigh a fifth more per shovel.
Sand for mortar and concrete
On-site mixing uses about a ton of sand for each 7 to 8 bags of cement in a standard 3:2:1 concrete blend of stone, sand, and cement. A 100-block wall needs roughly a third of a ton of mason sand for mortar. Choose 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 giving up your weekend.
Common sand quantity questions
How much sand is needed?
What does a yard of sand weigh?
How many 50 lb sand bags make a yard?
How much sand goes in a sandbox?
Which sand belongs under an above-ground pool?
Which sand works for paver bedding and joints?
Do you buy sand by ton or yard?
Other calculators
Mason and washed sand
Mason and washed sand are available by the ton in Kansas.
