How Much Sand for 100 Square Feet?
How much sand for 100 square feet depends on depth. At 3 inches you need about 0.93 cubic yards, roughly 1.2 tons at 1.35 tons per yard. Each inch of depth over 100 square feet adds about 0.31 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Sand for 100 sq ft by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.31 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| 2 in | 0.62 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| 3 in | 0.93 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| 4 in | 1.23 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
Working it out
- 100 sq ft × (3 ÷ 12) ft = 25.0 cubic feet.
- ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.
- × 1.35 tons per yard = 1.2 tons.
About sand
Sand weight changes a lot with moisture. Damp sand can weigh noticeably more per yard than dry sand, so a ton of wet sand covers less area than the same ton dry. Typical weight: 1.3 to 1.5 dry tons per cubic yard.
Before the truck comes
- Measure odd shapes in pieces. Split curves and L-shapes into rectangles and add them.
- Add a margin. About 10 percent covers compaction and low spots.
- Bulk or bags. This is small enough that bags may compete with a bulk minimum; price both.
- Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.
Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.
Where sand fits
Best suited to:
- Paver and flagstone bedding
- Leveling under above-ground pools (with the right product)
- Filling joints and backfilling pipe
Think twice for:
- Driveway bases, since sand shifts under load
- Steep areas exposed to runoff
- Thick layers under pavers, which settle unevenly
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of sand (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Questions people ask
How many tons of sand for 100 square feet?
About 1.2 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of sand for 100 square feet?
About 0.93 yards at 3 inches.
How much sand for 100 square feet at 1 inches?
About 0.4 tons, or 0.31 cubic yards.
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
About 1.3 to 1.5 dry tons.
Should I add extra?
Yes, about 10 percent is a common allowance.
Related guides
- How Much Does a Ton of Sand Cover?
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
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