Turn area × depth into sand volume, weight and bag count for gardens, patios and play areas.
Add about 10% extra for levelling, compaction and spillage — the note under the result shows the with-wastage figure.
Density varies with moisture and compaction — wet sand is roughly 12% heavier than dry.
sand weight
How to use this tool
Type the length and width of the area to fill, in metres or feet.
Type the sand depth in centimetres — 10 cm is typical for a patio base, 5 cm for levelling.
In Advanced options, choose dry, wet or loose play sand; density changes the weight.
The weight is shown big, with volume, tonnes, exact bag count and a 10%-extra ordering figure.
Formula & worked example
A 5 m × 4 m area at 10 cm depth is 2.00 m³ of sand. Dry, that weighs 3,200 kg (3.20 tonnes), or 128 bags of 25 kg — 141 bags with 10% extra.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
Density is the big uncertainty: moisture, compaction and grain size move it by 10–20%, so treat weight and bags as estimates. This calculator assumes a flat, even depth — uneven ground needs more. Check your supplier’s bag weight and delivery limits before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
About 5 cm for levelling under pavers, 10 cm for a patio base, and 15–30 cm for a children’s play pit, depending on local safety guidance.
Divide the weight by your bag size and round up — then add ~10% for levelling and spillage. This calculator does both steps.
Water fills the gaps between grains: wet sand runs about 1,800 kg/m³ against 1,600 dry, so the same volume weighs roughly 12% more.
Yes — the tonne figure is shown next to the weight. Bulk bags are often 850 kg, so divide tonnes by 0.85 for bulk-bag count.
Work out the circle area (π × radius²) and multiply by depth, or split the shape into rectangles and add them.