Free Sand Calculator
— Volume, Weight & Cost
Calculate exactly how much sand you need for rectangular, circular, triangular, and trapezoidal areas. Get weight in kg and tonnes, bag counts, and optional cost estimate — instantly.
Sand Calculator
Enter your area shape and depth to instantly get sand volume, weight, bag count, and cost estimate.
1. Select Shape
2. Enter Dimensions
3. Sand Type & Density
Overrides sand type selection above
Recommended 5%; use 10% for irregular areas
4. Cost Estimate (Optional)
Leave blank to skip cost calculation
Area
Volume
Volume (Litres)
Weight (kg)
Weight (Tonnes)
Weight (lbs)
Shape Diagram
Formula Used
Area = Length × Width
Volume (m³) = Area × Depth
Weight (kg) = Volume × Density
With waste = Weight × (1 + Waste%)
Sand Use Cases & Depth Guide
Recommended sand depth and type for common project applications.
Sandbox / Play Area
Use washed play sand (0–2mm grading). Ensure good drainage base before filling.
Patio / Paver Base
Sharp sand or coarse grit provides a stable, well-draining bedding for pavers.
Concrete Mix (1:2:3)
Standard 1:2:3 mix needs ~700 kg sand per m³ of concrete produced.
Garden / Lawn Levelling
Use river sand to improve drainage and level lawn surfaces. Avoid fine beach sand.
How to Calculate Sand Quantity
Calculate Area
Measure the surface area in m² (or ft²). For rectangles: Length × Width. For circles: π × r². For triangles: ½ × Base × Height.
A = L × W (rectangle)Calculate Volume
Multiply the area by the required depth in metres. Convert depth from cm to metres (divide by 100) before multiplying.
V (m³) = A (m²) × D (m)Calculate Weight
Multiply volume by sand density (typically 1,600 kg/m³ for dry sand). Add a 5–10% waste factor for irregular cuts and handling.
W (kg) = V × Density × (1 + Waste%)Sand Density Reference Table
| Sand Type | Density (kg/m³) | Density (lb/ft³) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Sand | 1,600 | 99.9 | General fill, levelling |
| Wet Sand | 1,920 | 119.9 | Post-rainfall conditions |
| Loose Dry Sand | 1,442 | 90 | Fresh delivery estimate |
| Packed Sand | 1,682 | 105 | After compaction |
| Wet Packed Sand | 2,082 | 130 | Worst-case load calc |
| Fine Sand (Concrete) | 1,650 | 103 | Concrete mix design |
| Coarse Sand | 1,550 | 96.8 | Paver bedding, drainage |
| River Sand | 1,750 | 109.3 | Garden, plastering |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about sand calculations, densities, and material quantities.
For a standard 2m × 2m sandbox with 20 cm depth: 2 × 2 × 0.20 = 0.8 m³. At 1,600 kg/m³ (dry sand) that is 1,280 kg. Buy about 1,350 kg (1.35 t) to include a 5% waste buffer. That equates to roughly 54 × 25 kg bags or 27 × 50 kg bags.
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