How much sand do I need?

Common questions

How much sand do I need for a sandbox?

Measure the inside of the sandbox in feet: length × width × depth (in feet — convert inches by dividing by 12) = cubic feet; divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 6 ft × 6 ft sandbox filled 4 inches deep needs 12 cubic feet — about 23 standard 50 lb bags of play sand. Use this calculator for any size.

How many 50 lb bags of sand do I need?

First find your volume in cubic feet: length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft). Play sand weighs roughly 95 lb per cubic foot, so a 50 lb bag covers about 0.53 cubic feet. Divide your total cubic feet by 0.53 — then round up. For example, 10 cubic feet ÷ 0.53 = 18.9, so you need 19 bags.

How much does a yard of sand weigh?

A cubic yard of dry sand weighs roughly 2,500–3,100 lb (1.25–1.55 short tons), depending on the type. Play sand runs about 2,550 lb/yd³; concrete or sharp sand, which is coarser and denser, can reach around 2,830 lb/yd³. Always confirm the weight with your supplier, as moisture adds significantly to delivered weight.

How deep should sand be in a sandbox?

3–6 inches (75–150 mm) is the commonly recommended fill depth for a play sandbox. At 3 inches, children have enough sand to play and the sandbox drains reasonably well. At 6 inches there is more sand to dig and mould, but the total weight roughly doubles — factor that into your order.

Want the full walk-through? Read the sand guide →