Sand calculator for Louisiana
Estimate mason or washed sand in tons and cubic yards, with depth guidance for each type of work.
Enter your project dimensions
A cubic yard of dry sand is about 2,700 lb, equal to 1.35 tons. After rain, wet material may reach 3,200 lb, so the pile is heavier to handle even when the ordered volume is unchanged. Use this calculator to turn area and depth into yards and tons for mason or washed sand. Set depth carefully, from a 1-inch paver setting bed to a 6-inch sandbox.
Sand calculations
- Take area measurements in feet. For round pools or fire pits, enter the diameter and let circle mode calculate the area.
- Set the depth specified for the application rather than estimating it. Refer to the depth notes below.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. Multiply yards by 1.35 to find dry-sand tons.
Recommended depths by application
- For paver bedding, screed coarse sand to 1 inch only. A deeper layer can leave pavers prone to movement. The Paver Sand Calculator explains the full stack.
- For an 8 x 8 sandbox, place washed sand 6 inches deep. The fill quantity is about 1.2 yards, or 1.6 tons.
- Set the above-ground pool on 2 inches of mason sand. Screed the bed level and keep all stones clear of the liner.
- For lawn leveling, blend sand into the soil at a depth between one-quarter and one-half inch. Straight sand placed over clay can create a layer that roots will not cross.
- For ordinary mortar or concrete, use a ton of sand for 7 to 8 bags of cement, then follow the mix ratio specified for the job.
Sand coverage and weights
| 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 has a finer, more uniform screen and suits mortar, paver joints, pool pads, and other work requiring a smooth grain. Washed sand has clay and silt removed and works well for bedding, sandboxes, and general mixing. Both have the same yard weight, so the calculator result remains the same; the intended use determines the selection. In Louisiana's wet ground conditions, mason sand provides a smooth pool base when it is properly screeded.
Comparing bulk sand with bags
A 50 lb bag provides about one-half cubic foot, and 54 bags equal a cubic yard. Spread 1 inch deep, each bag covers roughly 6 square feet. On a 300-square-foot bedding project, that means 25 bags from the shelf or a tipped bulk ton with no skid, delivered at no charge. Tarp the pile on site: soaked sand is difficult to screed and can weigh a fifth more with every shovel.
Sand for mortar and concrete
For site mixing, start with the standard 3:2:1 concrete proportion of stone, sand, and cement. Plan sand at one ton for each 7 to 8 bags of cement. A 100-block wall needs roughly one-third ton of mason sand for its mortar. Use washed sand in concrete and mason sand in mortar. When a structural pour goes beyond a yard or two, compare ready-mix pricing with the DIY calculation before setting aside the weekend.
Common sand quantity questions
How much sand is needed?
What does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
How many 50 lb sand bags make a yard?
How much sand is required for a sandbox?
Which sand should go beneath an above-ground pool?
Which sand works for paver bedding and joints?
Is sand priced by ton or by yard?
Other calculators
Sand delivery options
Mason and washed sand by the ton in Louisiana.
