Masonry Sand Calculator

Masonry sand calculator formula

A masonry sand calculator turns an area and a depth into cubic yards and tons. Tons = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.35. Cost = tons × price per ton. The default price is $40 per ton. This calculator does not add a waste allowance, so add your own if you want one.

The formula in plain words

Multiply length by width to get the square feet. Multiply by depth in feet, so 3 inches is 0.25. Divide by 27 to turn cubic feet into cubic yards. Multiply by 1.35 because a cubic yard of the sand weighs about 1.35 tons.

Worked examples

These match the calculator exactly.

1. Sand base for a play area: 10 ft × 10 ft, 3 in deep, $40 per ton

• Area: 100 sq ft
• Volume: 100 × 0.25 = 25 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.93 yd³
• Tons: 0.926 × 1.35 = 1.25 tons
• Cost: 1.25 × $40 = $50

2. Setting bed for flagstone: 12 ft × 8 ft, 2 in deep, $40 per ton

• Area: 96 sq ft
• Volume: 96 × 0.1667 = 16 ft³ ÷ 27 = 0.59 yd³
• Tons: 0.593 × 1.35 = 0.80 tons
• Cost: 0.8 × $40 = $32

Delivery usually costs extra and many yards have a minimum order, so a small job may cost more than the figures show.

Sand needed per 100 square feet

Depth	Cubic yards	Tons at 1.35
1 in	0.31	0.42
2 in	0.62	0.83
3 in	0.93	1.25
6 in	1.85	2.50

Scale the figures to your area. A 250 sq ft job at 2 inches is 2.5 × 0.83 = 2.08 tons.

Common uses

Masonry sand goes into mortar, where it is mixed with cement and water. Follow the product label or the mortar type spec for the ratio. It also forms the leveling bed under pavers and stone. Because it is fine and screened, it packs smoothly. If you want sand for a sandbox, check that the product is labeled for that use.

If you need sand for playgrounds, see the play sand calculator. For bedding pavers, the paver sand calculator is the closer match. For mixing mortar, the mortar calculator will tell you the bags.

How to measure

Measure the length and width of the area to be filled. For a rectangle, that is two numbers. For a round bed, measure the diameter and use half of it as the radius, then work out the area as 3.14 × radius × radius. Enter the area as a rectangle that has the same square footage.

Set the depth where the sand will end up after tamping. If you are laying a bed that will be screeded flat, measure from the base surface to the underside of the pavers.

Ordering and hauling

At 1.35 tons per cubic yard, a single yard of sand weighs about 2,700 lb. That is a heavy load for a pickup, so check your vehicle’s payload rating before you collect a pile yourself. Most suppliers will deliver by dump truck, and many have a minimum load or a flat delivery charge.

Keep the pile on a tarp near the work area and cover it if rain is coming. Wet sand is harder to screed and weighs more, so a covered pile spreads more easily. If part of the order is left over, it keeps well for a later project.

Choosing between sands

Masonry sand is finer than the coarse concrete sand used in concrete mixes and paver bases. Fine sand packs smooth and holds mortar together, while coarse sand drains better under hardscape. If the project says concrete sand or paver sand, use that product. A supplier can tell you what they call each pile and whether it is washed. Using the wrong sand is a common cause of weak mortar and uneven beds.

Common mistakes

• Typing the depth in feet. The tool wants inches.
• Ordering for the dry weight and then getting wet sand. Wet sand is heavier, so a ton goes less far.
• Using masonry sand for jobs that call for coarse concrete sand.
• Forgetting to add extra for waste, since this tool does not.

Related pages

For general sand projects, see the sand calculator. For a price that includes labor, use the sand cost calculator.