Play Sand Calculator
A play sand calculator turns box size and depth into tons at 1.35 tons per cubic yard: an 8 × 6 ft sandbox filled 12 in deep needs 2.40 tons, about $144.
What your order looks like
One bulk delivery is usually easier than hauling it yourself.
1.78 yd³ · 2.4 tons
24 wheelbarrow trips (2 cu ft each)
4 pickup loads (0.75 ton each)
1 small dump truck load (6 tons each)
Rules of thumb: A wheelbarrow trip is 2 cubic feet of heavy material, about 200 lb, a load most people can push. A pickup load is 0.75 ton, the payload of a full-size half-ton pickup (1,500 lb). A small single-axle dump truck carries about 6 tons.
Play sand calculator
A play sand calculator multiplies the box length, width and depth to get cubic feet, divides by 27 for cubic yards, then multiplies by 1.35 tons per cubic yard. An 8 × 6 ft sandbox filled 12 inches deep holds 48 cubic feet, which is 2.40 tons. At $60 a ton, that costs $144.
The formula in plain words
- Cubic feet = length × width × (depth in inches ÷ 12).
- Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- Tons = cubic yards × 1.35.
- Cost = tons × price per ton.
The weight uses a typical dry density. Wet sand is heavier, and suppliers sometimes load by the bucket and weigh the truck, so ask the yard how they price it.
Worked examples
A big backyard box, 8 × 6 ft, 12 in deep, $60 a ton:
- Cubic feet: 8 × 6 × 1 = 48 ft³
- Cubic yards: 48 ÷ 27 = 1.78 yd³
- Tons: 1.78 × 1.35 = 2.40 tons
- Cost: 2.40 × $60 = $144
A small square box, 5 × 5 ft, 8 in deep:
- Cubic feet: 25 × 0.667 = 16.7 ft³
- Cubic yards: 0.617
- Tons: 0.617 × 1.35 = 0.83 tons
- Cost: 0.83 × $60 = $50
A play area under a swing set, 10 × 10 ft, 6 in deep:
- Cubic feet: 100 × 0.5 = 50 ft³
- Cubic yards: 1.85
- Tons: 1.85 × 1.35 = 2.50 tons
- Cost: 2.50 × $60 = $150
Sand needed by box size
| Box size | Depth | Cubic feet | Tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 ft | 6 in | 8 | 0.40 |
| 5 × 5 ft | 8 in | 16.7 | 0.83 |
| 8 × 6 ft | 12 in | 48 | 2.40 |
| 10 × 10 ft | 6 in | 50 | 2.50 |
A 4 × 4 ft box at 6 inches needs 16 bags of 50 lb, because 8 ft³ weighs about 800 lb. That is a reasonable pick-up-truck job from a store. Bigger boxes are better served by a bulk delivery.
Choosing a sand
- Look for washed and screened sand sold as play sand.
- Avoid sand that feels gritty or dusty.
- Ask the supplier for the product’s safety data sheet and read what it says about dust and use around children.
- Store it dry and covered until it is placed.
Our sand calculator covers other types of sand. If you want a surface that is soft but not sand, the playground mulch calculator estimates wood fiber and chips.
Building the box
- Frame the sides with untreated or properly rated lumber, with rounded edges.
- Lay a permeable fabric on the bottom, with a few inches overlapping the walls.
- Add a drainage layer if the soil is clay.
- Add a cover or lid. It keeps animals out and rain off.
- Fill with the calculated sand and rake it flat.
How to measure
Measure the inside length and width of the frame, not the outside. Mark the fill line on the inside of the wall at the depth you want so you can see how much is missing later. For a round or irregular box, measure the widest and narrowest sides and average them.
Common mistakes
- Using the outside dimensions of the frame, which makes the box look bigger than it is.
- Entering the depth in feet. The box takes inches, so a foot is 12.
- Forgetting that sand settles and gets carried away, so plan a top-up each year.
- Buying paver or mason sand because it is cheaper. It is rarely suited to children.
- Skipping the cover, which invites cats and leaf litter.
For a sand base under pavers, use the paver sand calculator instead.
Frequently asked questions
How is play sand different from construction or paver sand?
Play sand is washed and screened to a fine, even grain so it feels soft and has little dust. Paver and masonry sands are coarser and sometimes carry silt or sharp particles. Buy sand sold and labeled for play if children will use it, and ask the supplier for details on how it is processed.
How deep should sand be in a sandbox?
Six to twelve inches works for most boxes. Six inches is enough for sifting and small buckets. Twelve inches lets children dig holes and build, but it takes twice the sand. The default here is 12 inches.
Why isn't there a waste option?
Sandbox sand does not get cut or trimmed, so the volume you calculate is the volume you need. Top off from the leftover pile as the level drops. If you are filling a lumpy area or want a cushion, add some yourself to the dimensions.
Can I buy play sand in bags instead of by the ton?
Yes. At the 1.35 tons per cubic yard used here, a cubic foot weighs about 100 lb, so a 50 lb bag is half a cubic foot. The 8 × 6 × 1 ft box holds 48 cubic feet, which is 96 bags. Bulk delivery costs far less per pound for a box this big.
Do I need a liner under a sandbox?
A permeable landscape fabric is a good idea. It stops weeds and soil from mixing up into the sand while letting rain drain through. A solid plastic sheet traps water and can turn the sand sour, so poke drainage holes in anything solid.
How often does the sand need topping off or replacing?
Expect to add some every year as kids carry sand out on their shoes and it gets washed away. Replace it when it is dirty, smells, or has been fouled by animals. A cover helps keep cats and leaves out.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.