Mason & Paver Sand Calculator: Estimate Cubic Yards, Tons & Bags (2026 Cost Guide)
Washed fine sand used as a 1" paver bedding layer, sandbox fill and mortar mix.
Sand is sold in several types: concrete (coarse) sand for paver bedding, fine mason sand for mortar and sandboxes, and polymeric sand for paver joints. A paver patio needs a 1-inch screeded bedding layer; a sandbox typically needs 6–12 inches.
1Measure your area
2Prices (optional)
+ $85 typical delivery
Your Mason & Paver Sand estimate
Total volume
0.68 cu. yd
Bags needed
37
Estimated weight
0.92 tons
Bulk order
1 cu. yd
- Bulk (1 yd + delivery)Best value$130
$45 material + $85 delivery
- Bagged (37 × 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb))$195
$5.28 per bag
Bulk delivery saves about $65. Prices are US averages — enter your local quotes above.
Can my truck haul it?
- Mid-size pickup (~1,000 lbs)2 trips
- Half-ton pickup (F-150 / Silverado 1500) (~1,500 lbs)2 trips
- 3/4-ton pickup (2500 series) (~2,500 lbs)1 trip
- 1-ton pickup (3500 series) (~4,000 lbs)1 trip
Material shopping list
| Mason & Paver Sand — bulk≈ 0.92 tons · $130 delivered | 1 cu. yd |
| Mason & Paver Sand — or bagged (0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb))$195 at $5.28/bag | 37 bags |
| Coverage1" deep · 10% overage included | 200 sq. ft |
Prices are estimates. Confirm bag yield (cu. ft) on the package before buying.
How much mason & paver sand do I need? Quick-reference table
Pre-calculated amounts for common project sizes, including a 10% overage. Bags are based on the 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb); weight uses 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.
| Area | Depth | Cubic yards | Cubic feet | Bags | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 1" | 0.34 | 9.2 | 19 | 0.46 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.68 | 18.3 | 37 | 0.92 tons |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.02 | 27.5 | 55 | 1.38 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 1" | 0.49 | 13.2 | 27 | 0.66 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 2" | 0.98 | 26.4 | 53 | 1.32 tons |
| 12×12 ft (144 sq. ft) | 3" | 1.47 | 39.6 | 80 | 1.98 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 1" | 1.36 | 36.7 | 74 | 1.83 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 2" | 2.72 | 73.3 | 147 | 3.67 tons |
| 20×20 ft (400 sq. ft) | 3" | 4.07 | 110 | 220 | 5.5 tons |
How much area does a cubic yard of mason & paver sand cover?
| Depth | 1 cu. yd covers | 1 ton covers | 1 bag covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 324 sq. ft | 240 sq. ft | 6 sq. ft |
| 2" | 162 sq. ft | 120 sq. ft | 3 sq. ft |
| 3" | 108 sq. ft | 80 sq. ft | 2 sq. ft |
| 4" | 81 sq. ft | 60 sq. ft | 1.5 sq. ft |
| 6" | 54 sq. ft | 40 sq. ft | 1 sq. ft |
The mason & paver sand formula, step by step
This calculator uses the standard US bulk-material formula:Cubic Yards = (Area in sq. ft × (Depth in inches ÷ 12)) ÷ 27. Here's a worked example for a 12 × 12 ft area at 1 inches deep:
- Measure the area. Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet. Break irregular shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Convert depth to feet. Divide the depth in inches by 12. A 1" layer is 0.083 ft.
- Calculate cubic feet and yards. Multiply square feet × depth in feet for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.
- Add a waste factor. Multiply by 1.10 to add 10% for settling, compaction and spillage.
- Convert to bags and tons. Divide cubic feet by 0.5 for 0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb), and multiply cubic yards by 1.35 for tons.
Result: 144 sq. ft × 0.083 ft = 12cu. ft ÷ 27 = 0.44 cubic yards. With 10% extra that's 0.49 cu. yd — about 27 bags or 0.66 tons.
Mason & Paver Sand cost guide (2026)
- Bulk:$30–$70 per cubic yard (US average ≈ $45), plus about $85 delivery.
- Bagged:0.5 cu. ft bag (~50 lb) ≈ $5.28 each — 54 bags per yard, or about $285 per cubic yard.
- Weight: 2,700 lbs per cubic yard (1.35tons). A half-ton pickup can safely carry about 0.56 cu. yd per trip.
Pro tips for installing mason & paver sand
- Screed paver bedding sand to exactly 1 inch using two 1-inch pipes as rails — don't compact it before laying pavers.
- Use coarse concrete sand (not play sand) for paver bedding; it drains and locks better.
- Keep sand covered with a tarp if rain is expected — wet sand is much heavier and harder to screed.
- Joints between pavers need polymeric sand, which is sold separately by the bag.
Common uses
- 1" bedding layer under pavers and flagstone
- Sandboxes and volleyball courts
- Mortar, stucco and leveling
Mason & Paver Sand FAQ
How much sand do I need under pavers?
One inch of bedding sand. A 12×12 ft patio at 1 inch deep needs 0.44 cubic yards — about 24 bags of 0.5 cu. ft, or 27 bags with 10% extra.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
Dry sand weighs about 2,600–2,800 lbs per cubic yard; wet sand can weigh over 3,000 lbs.
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Fill sandboxes 6–12 inches deep. A 6×6 ft box at 8 inches needs 24 cu. ft — 48 bags of 0.5 cu. ft play sand.
Can I use play sand under pavers?
It's not recommended. Play sand is very fine and rounded, so it shifts and holds water. Coarse concrete sand creates a more stable bed.