What this calculator does
The sand calculator estimates sand from rectangular area and depth. It reports volume, editable-density weight, US tons, ordering allowance, and optional cost by ton or cubic yard.
Formula overview
The calculator converts all dimensions to feet, multiplies length by width by depth for cubic feet, divides by 27 for cubic yards, then uses the editable density assumption to estimate pounds and tons.
Why sand density varies
Sand density varies by material type, moisture, gradation, supplier, and compaction. The default is a planning assumption and should be replaced with supplier guidance when available.
Worked example
A 16 ft by 12 ft area at 1 inch deep is 192 square feet. A 1 inch depth is about 0.083 ft, so the raw volume is 16 cubic feet, or about 0.59 cubic yards. With 10% allowance and a 2,700 lb per cubic yard assumption, the estimate is about 0.9 tons.
Assumptions and limitations
This planning tool does not provide structural, engineering, drainage, or code-compliance advice. Confirm material type, depth, and order units with your supplier.