Home Improvement
Sand Calculator
Enter length, width and depth to estimate volume, bags and optional cost.
Sand
Sand for paving beds, play pits or screeds is a straightforward area × depth calculation, but the grade of sand (sharp, building, kiln-dried) is a separate purchase decision from the volume maths. Measure the length and width you will cover, set the depth your guide recommends, add waste for edges and compaction, then convert to bags using the litres on the pack. Moisture content changes how sand “packs”, so coverage in the real world can drift from a dry theoretical fill. Pair path builds with the gravel calculator when the wearing course sits on a sand bed, or with the cement calculator for mortar and mix jobs.
Worked example
A 5 × 3 m area at 5 cm depth is 0.75 m³. With 10% waste ≈ 0.825 m³ (825 L). At 20 L per bag that is 42 bags.
Limits and assumptions
Does not choose sand type or account for moisture and compaction. Screed mix ratios need a separate recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Sharp sand or building sand?
Buy the grade the job specifies. Volume maths is identical; performance is not.
What depth for a paving bed?
Many patio guides sit around 30–50 mm of bedding sand — confirm with the paving manufacturer.
How do bulk bags map to litres?
Read the stated volume on the bulk bag (often ~800–1,000 L) and enter that as bag size, or think in cubic metres.
Should mortar sand be a second calculation?
Yes if it is a different product and depth from the bedding or fill layer.