Sand Calculator
Quickly calculate how much sand you need for any project — paving, bedding, play areas or landscaping. Enter the area dimensions and get instant results in cubic yards, cubic metres, tonnes and bag quantities.
Sand type / use:
Known locally as: sharp sand · coarse sand · concreting sand · river sand (AU/NZ) · M-sand (IN)
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your unit system — Imperial or Metric.
- Enter the length and width of the area.
- Enter the depth (e.g. 1 inch for paver bedding, 2 inches for a sandbox).
- Results appear immediately including a +10% waste buffer.
Sand Volume Formula
Cubic Yards = Volume (m³) × 1.30795
Tonnes = Volume (m³) × 1.6
Sand density varies by type and use: concrete/sharp sand ≈ 1,650 kg/m³, builders/soft sand ≈ 1,600 kg/m³, fill/pit sand ≈ 1,750 kg/m³. The calculator adjusts automatically based on your selected use case.
Sand Tips
- For paver bedding, use a 1-inch (25 mm) screed layer of coarse concrete sand.
- Compact the subbase first — sand alone is not a structural base.
- Store sand covered to prevent moisture from making it too heavy to work with.
- Buy slightly more than you need — leftover sand can be used to fill joints or top up after settling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for a patio? +
For a bedding layer under pavers, allow 1 inch (2.5 cm) of sand. For a 10 × 10 ft patio, that is about 0.31 cubic yards. Our calculator will give you the exact figure — just enter 10, 10, and 1 inch.
How much does a ton of sand cover? +
At 2 inches deep, 1 tonne of sand covers roughly 10–12 square metres (about 110–130 sq ft). Coverage varies by sand moisture and compaction.
What type of sand should I use under pavers? +
Coarse concrete sand (also called bedding sand) is best under pavers. Fine play sand is too soft. Polymeric sand is used to fill joints between pavers after installation.
How do I calculate how many bags of sand I need? +
Divide the total volume in cubic metres by the volume per bag. A standard 25 kg bag of sand covers about 0.0156 m³. Our calculator shows the exact bag count for your project.
Can I use too much sand under pavers? +
Yes. A sand bed deeper than 1 inch (2.5 cm) can lead to paver movement and settling. Stick to the recommended 1 inch depth for the best result.
What is the difference between sharp sand and builders sand? +
Sharp sand (also called coarse sand or concreting sand) has angular, coarse particles and is used for concrete mixing and paving bedding. Builders sand (also called soft sand or brickies sand in Australia) has finer, rounder particles and is used for mortar, render, and brickwork. Using the wrong type affects strength — never use soft sand in concrete.
Is river sand the same as concrete sand? +
In Australia and New Zealand, river sand is commonly used as a direct equivalent to concrete sand — it's coarse, washed, and well-graded for structural mixes. In the US, "concrete sand" is the standard term for coarse washed sand used in concrete. In India, manufactured sand (M-sand) is increasingly used as a controlled alternative to river sand where natural supply is restricted.
What is brickies sand? +
Brickies sand is the Australian term for fine masonry sand used in brick mortar and render mixes. It is equivalent to builders sand (UK) or masonry sand (US). It has fine, rounded particles that produce a workable, smooth mortar. It should not be used in concrete mixes — use coarse river sand or washed sand instead.
What is M-sand? +
M-sand (Manufactured Sand) is crushed stone fines processed to meet grading standards as a substitute for natural river sand. It is widely used in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia due to restrictions on river sand mining. M-sand is suitable for concrete and mortar. Because it is manufactured to spec, it often has more consistent quality than natural sand.
Can I use washed sand for concrete? +
Yes — washed sand (sand that has had silt, clay, and organic matter removed) is ideal for concrete. In fact, clean, well-graded washed sand is a requirement for structural concrete. Unwashed or dirty sand weakens the cement bond and reduces compressive strength. Always use coarse washed sand (not fine play sand or silt-heavy pit sand) for concrete mixing.