How Much Sand for 400 Square Feet?
How much sand for 400 square feet depends on depth. At 3 inches you need about 3.70 cubic yards, roughly 5.0 tons at 1.35 tons per yard. Going to 4 inches raises it to 6.7 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Sand for 400 sq ft by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 1.23 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| 2 in | 2.47 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| 3 in | 3.70 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| 4 in | 4.94 | 6.7 | 7.3 |
Working it out
- 400 sq ft × (3 ÷ 12) ft = 100.0 cubic feet.
- ÷ 27 = 3.70 cubic yards.
- × 1.35 tons per yard = 5.0 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. Expect the weight to fall in the range of 1.3 to 1.5 dry tons per 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. Bulk delivery is the practical choice here.
- Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.
Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.
Good and poor uses for sand
Works well for:
- Paver and flagstone bedding
- Leveling under above-ground pools (with the right product)
- Filling joints and backfilling pipe
Less suited to:
- 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 15x30 area at 3 inches takes about 5.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of sand for 400 square feet?
About 5.0 tons at 3 inches deep.
How many cubic yards of sand for 400 square feet?
About 3.70 yards at 3 inches.
How much sand for 400 square feet at 1 inches?
About 1.7 tons, or 1.23 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
- How Much Sand for 250 Square Feet?
- How Much Sand for 300 Square Feet?
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