How Much Sand for a 33 Ft Round Above Ground Pool?
How much sand for a 33 ft round above ground pool: about 5.28 cubic yards, roughly 7.1 tons, for the common 2-inch base. The pool footprint is about 855 square feet.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Footprint math
Area of a circle: 3.1416 × radius². For this pool that is about 855.3 square feet. At 2 inches (0.167 ft) the volume is 142.5 cubic feet, or 5.28 yards.
Related: How Much Sand for a 12 Ft Round Above Ground Pool?
Sand by depth
| Sand depth | Cubic yards | Tons | 50 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 2.64 | 3.6 | 143 |
| 2 in | 5.28 | 7.1 | 286 |
| 3 in | 7.92 | 10.7 | 428 |
Don’t forget the cove
Most vinyl-liner pools use a sand cove: a sloped ridge of sand around the inside of the wall that keeps the liner from slipping under the wall. Add about 10 to 20 percent more sand for the cove, depending on the manufacturer’s spec.
Related: How Much Sand for an 18 Ft Round Above Ground Pool?
Level the ground first
Dig to level soil rather than building up low spots with sand, which can wash out. Compact the ground, then spread and smooth the sand. Follow your pool manufacturer’s base instructions, since some specify pads or a different base.
Which sand
Mason sand is the usual choice: fine, clean and free of rocks. Concrete sand is coarser. A ground cloth or foam floor pad over the sand adds liner protection.
Topping up later
Sand compacts and spreads over time, so expect to add a little each year. Keeping one or two spare bags on hand makes touch-ups easy, and buying the same type keeps the texture consistent.
Measuring the area
Mark the outline on the ground first with paint or a string so measurements match the real shape. Then measure the longest and widest points and the planned depth. Converting to yards and tons is simple arithmetic once those numbers are right.
Keeping it in place
Plan for some loss each season from splashing, digging and rain. A sturdy border, a fitted cover and fabric underneath keep the sand clean and contained, so you top it up less often.
Questions people ask
How much sand for a 33 ft round pool?
About 5.28 cubic yards, roughly 7.1 tons, at 2 inches.
How many bags of sand for a 33 ft round pool?
About 286 bags of 50 lb for a 2-inch base, plus extra for the cove.
How thick should sand be under an above ground pool?
About 2 inches is common; follow your pool manufacturer’s guide.
What sand is best under a pool?
Fine mason sand without stones.
Can sand level an above ground pool?
No. Level the soil first; the sand is a cushion layer.
Related guides
- Asphalt Around an Above-Ground Pool
- How Much Sand for a 28 Ft Round Above Ground Pool?
- How Much Sand for a 30 Ft Round Above Ground Pool?
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