Volume first, then weight
Aggregates are measured on site as an area and a depth but sold by the cubic yard or the ton, so the calculation runs length × width × depth into cubic feet, divides by 27 for yards, then multiplies by density. Sand is the heavy one here at roughly 1.43 tons per yard; damp sand after rain can weigh noticeably more, which is worth remembering when a delivery truck needs to cross your driveway.
Bags or a bulk delivery?
Tick the bag box to see the same volume in half-yard bulk bags, which suit small patches and jobs where a dump truck cannot reach. The math flips quickly though: anything past three or four bags is usually cheaper by the yard, and suppliers that deliver loose material often beat bagged pricing by a wide margin on anything more than a single afternoon of shoveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should sand under pavers be?
Plan on a one-inch layer of coarse bedding sand over four to six inches of compacted gravel base. This calculator covers each layer separately — enter the same area with each material and depth.
How much sand does a sandbox need?
Six inches is a comfortable play depth. A 8×8 foot sandbox at that depth works out to about 32 cubic feet, or roughly 1.2 cubic yards — the depth selector handles the rest.
Why does the weight matter?
Suppliers quote and deliver by the ton, and pickups are rated by payload too — a half-ton truck swallows about a yard of sand at most. Weight is the number that keeps both the invoice and the suspension honest.