Sand calculator for West Virginia
Plan mason or washed sand quantities by the ton or cubic yard, with depth recommendations for different jobs.
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, making the pile tougher to handle even though the ordered quantity stays the same. Enter your area and depth to convert mason or washed sand into yards and tons. Depth matters: paver bedding calls for 1-inch, while a sandbox may use 6-inch.
Sand calculation basics
- Use feet to measure the space. For round pools and fire pits, enter the diameter and select circle mode.
- Set the depth according to the project instead of estimating it. See the job depths below.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to find cubic yards. Multiply yards by 1.35 to calculate dry-sand tons.
Recommended sand depths by project
- Paver bedding needs 1 inch of coarse sand, screeded evenly, with no added depth. Extra sand can cause pavers to wobble later. The Paver Sand Calculator explains the full layer setup.
- Use 6 inches of washed sand for a sandbox. A 8 x 8 box requires about 1.2 yards and 1.6 tons.
- For an above-ground pool, lay 2 inches of mason sand. Screed the surface dead flat and keep stones away from the liner.
- For lawn leveling, mix a quarter to a half inch of sand into the soil. Straight sand on clay can create a layer roots will not grow through.
- For typical mortar and concrete, allow a ton of sand for 7 to 8 bags of cement, then use 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 sand or washed sand
Mason sand is more finely screened, making it suitable for mortar, paver joints, pool bases, and other uses where an even, smooth grain is needed. Washed sand has clay and silt removed and works well for bedding, sandboxes, and general mixes. Both calculate at the same weight per yard. Mason sand is commonly used under pools because it can be screeded smoothly.
Comparing bagged and bulk sand
A 50 lb bag provides about half a cubic foot, while 54 bags make a cubic yard. Spread at 1 inch deep, a bag covers roughly 6 square feet. A 300-square-foot bedding project works out to 25 bags from a store shelf or one bulk ton tipped at the job. Cover sand with a tarp on site, since a soaked pile is harder to screed and can weigh a fifth more per shovel.
Sand for mortar and concrete
Mixing on site starts with a 3:2:1 concrete proportion of stone, sand, and cement. Expect about a ton of sand for every 7 to 8 bags of cement. Mortar for a 100-block wall uses roughly a third of a ton of mason sand. Use washed sand in concrete and mason sand in mortar. For structural pours beyond a yard or two, check ready-mix pricing against the DIY calculation before giving up your weekend.
Common questions about sand amounts
How much sand is required?
What is the weight of a yard of sand?
How many 50 lb sand bags make a yard?
What amount of sand fills a sandbox?
Which sand is used below an above-ground pool?
Which sand works for paver beds and joints?
Is sand priced by ton or by yard?
Other calculators
Mason and washed sand
Mason sand and washed sand are available by the ton in West Virginia.
