Sandbox Sand Calculator
This sandbox sand calculator tells you how much play sand to buy for a square, rectangular or round sandbox, in cubic yards, tons and 50 lb bags.
An 8 × 8 ft sandbox filled 6 inches deep holds 32 cubic feet of sand. With 5% extra that is 33.6 cubic feet, about 1.24 cubic yards, roughly 1.6 tons or about 65 fifty-pound bags. Play sand is sold dry and washed; bulk delivery is cheaper than bags above about 1 cubic yard.
Your numbers
Result
How much sand does a sandbox need?
Work out the volume of the sandbox (area times sand depth), add a little extra, then convert to the unit you buy. Bulk sand is sold by the cubic yard or ton; bagged play sand by weight (usually 40 to 60 lb).
cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27
weight (lb) = cubic yards × 1.3 × 2,000
bags = weight ÷ bag size
Example: an 8 × 8 ft sandbox with 6 inches of sand is 64 × 0.5 = 32 cubic feet. With 5% extra that is 33.6 cubic feet, or 1.24 cubic yards. At 1.3 tons per yard that weighs about 1.62 tons (3,235 lb), which is 65 bags of 50 lb.
Sand needed by sandbox size (6 in deep, 5% extra)
| Size | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | 50 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 ft | 8.4 | 0.31 | 17 |
| 5 × 5 ft | 13.1 | 0.49 | 26 |
| 6 × 6 ft | 18.9 | 0.70 | 37 |
| 8 × 8 ft | 33.6 | 1.24 | 65 |
| 10 × 10 ft | 52.5 | 1.94 | 102 |
Bags or bulk?
- Small boxes under about half a cubic yard are easy with bags.
- Above about one cubic yard, bulk delivery is usually cheaper and avoids dozens of bags, but you need a place to dump it.
- Choose washed, dust-free play sand that is labeled safe for children, and cover the box to keep animals out.
For other shapes and materials use the sand calculator, convert yards to weight with the yards to tons calculator, or find the volume with the cubic yard calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand do I need for a sandbox?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, add 5%, and divide by 27 for cubic yards. An 8 × 8 ft box 6 in deep needs about 1.24 cubic yards.
How deep should sand be in a sandbox?
Six inches is common for play; 9–12 inches lets children dig. Keep at least a few inches so the base doesn't show.
How many bags of play sand fill a sandbox?
An 8 × 8 ft box 6 in deep takes about 65 bags of 50 lb. Divide the weight you need by the bag weight.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
About 1.3 tons (2,600 lb) dry, and more when wet. This calculator uses 1.3.
What sand is safe for a sandbox?
Use washed play sand sold for children. Avoid construction sand with dust or sharp particles unless it is labeled for sandboxes.
Sources and further reading
- NIST Special Publication 811: conversion factors — National Institute of Standards and Technology
These references support the general guidance on this page. The calculator applies the standard formulas shown above to the numbers you enter.
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Related calculators
. Estimates only. Always confirm quantities with your supplier or a qualified contractor before ordering, and add extra for waste and site conditions.