Sand calculator
How much play sand fills a sandbox, or how much sand a project needs, in 50 lb bags and cubic yards.
- Cubic yards (bulk)
50 lb bags of play sand hold about 0.5 cubic feet; check the bag you buy.
How to use it
Enter the length and width of the sandbox or area in feet, and the depth of sand you want in inches. The calculator gives the number of 50 lb bags, for small jobs, and the cubic yards to order in bulk for bigger ones.
For a sandbox, fill to a few inches below the top of the frame so the sand stays in.
How it's calculated
- Cubic feet = length × width × (depth ÷ 12).
- Bags = cubic feet ÷ 0.5, rounded up. A 50 lb bag of play sand, such as Quikrete's, holds about half a cubic foot.
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
| Sandbox | Depth | 50 lb bags | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 ft | 6 in | 16 | 0.3 |
| 5 × 5 ft | 8 in | 34 | 0.62 |
| 6 × 6 ft | 12 in | 72 | 1.33 |
| 8 × 8 ft | 12 in | 128 | 2.37 |
Buying in bulk
Above roughly 2 cubic yards (about 108 bags), bulk delivery is usually cheaper and far less lifting. Suppliers sell bulk sand by the cubic yard or by the ton. If yours sells by the ton, ask for their sand's weight per cubic yard and enter it in the gravel calculator under "Enter my supplier's figure"; the math is the same.
Tips
- Use sand sold for play in a sandbox. It's washed and screened, and many brands are tested for safety.
- Paver and leveling sand for patios is a different product; see the paver calculator.
- Lay landscape fabric under a sandbox so the sand doesn't mix into the soil, and cover it when not in use.