Sand calculator: tons, and how many trucks.
Type length, width and depth. Get tons and truckloads as you type.
Wet sand can run 3,000 lb/yd³ or more.
The sand formula
tons = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (in) ÷ 12 × 100 lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000
Worked example for pipe bedding, a paver base or fill: 40 ft × 20 ft at 4 in is 10.4 cubic yards and 14.0 tons with 5% extra, or 1 load.
Sand is sold by the ton. Wet sand weighs noticeably more than dry; the quarry's number wins.
Sand by the square foot
| Depth | 100 sq ft (10 × 10) | 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.42 t | 4.2 t |
| 2 in | 0.83 t | 8.3 t |
| 4 in | 1.67 t | 16.7 t |
| 6 in | 2.50 t | 25.0 t |
No waste added in the table. Weight used: 2,700 lb per cubic yard. Dry sand runs about 100 lb/ft³ (2,700 lb/yd³); wet sand is heavier.
Save it to a job. Dozer checks it against what's laid.
Saved estimates go on the site. Dozer adds up the haul tickets and the paver's tons each night and tells you if you're running over.
- Estimate vs. tons laid, every night
- Haul tickets read from a photo
- Overrun flagged before the next order
- Every estimate kept with the job
LIVE 412 t laid · estimate 383 t Photo is an AI-generated stand-in, not a customer site.
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Questions crews ask
How do I calculate sand tons?
Multiply length by width in feet, then by depth in inches divided by 12. That's cubic feet. Multiply by 100 lb per cubic foot and divide by 2,000 for tons. Add 5% for waste.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 2,700 lb, or 1.35 tons. Wet sand can run 3,000 lb/yd³ or more.
How many tons for 40 by 20 ft at 4 in?
About 14.0 tons with 5% extra, or 1 truckload at 15 tons a load.
How much sand fits in a dump truck?
This calculator uses 15 tons a load. A tandem dump usually hauls 10 to 15 tons, a tri-axle 15 to 20 and a semi end-dump about 22 to 25; the legal weight on your roads decides.
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