How Much Sand for a 5x5 Sandbox?
How much sand for a 5x5 sandbox: about 20.8 cubic feet if you fill it 10 inches deep, which is around 42 bags of 50 lb play sand.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Sand by fill depth
| Fill depth | Cubic feet | 50 lb bags | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 12.5 | 25 | 0.46 |
| 8 in | 16.7 | 34 | 0.62 |
| 10 in | 20.8 | 42 | 0.77 |
| 12 in | 25.0 | 50 | 0.93 |
A 50 lb bag of play sand holds roughly 0.5 cubic feet; check the bag, since brands differ.
Related: How Much Sand for a 10x10 Sandbox?
How deep to fill
Leave a few inches of the frame showing to keep sand inside. Six inches is enough for toddlers; older kids dig deeper, so 10 to 12 inches is better.
Choosing the sand
Bagged play sand is washed and screened. For big boxes, bulk washed sand can cost less; make sure it is clean and soft, not a coarse concrete sand.
Related: How Much Sand for an 8x10 Sandbox?
Keep it clean
Lay fabric under the sand for drainage and weed control, and cover the box when not in use.
Keeping it in place
Sand moves with wind, rain and use. A frame, edging or a cover keeps it where you put it. Where sand meets lawn, a border of pavers or timber stops it from spreading into the grass and makes mowing easier.
Common mistakes
Underestimating depth and forgetting extra for settling and spreading are common. So is laying sand straight on sod, which lets grass and weeds come through. Clear and level the ground first.
Bags vs bulk
Bagged sand is convenient for small jobs and easy to carry in a car. Once you pass about half a cubic yard, bulk sand from a landscape supplier usually costs much less. Ask whether the bulk sand is washed and screened.
Topping up later
After a season of use, the level usually drops an inch or more. A few bags of the same sand restore it; rake the old sand loose first so the new layer blends in.
Questions people ask
How many bags of sand for a 5x5 sandbox?
About 42 bags of 50 lb at 10 inches deep.
How many cubic feet of sand for a 5x5 sandbox?
About 20.8 cubic feet at 10 inches.
How deep should sand be in a sandbox?
About 6 to 12 inches, a few inches below the rim.
How much does a bag of play sand cover?
A 50 lb bag is roughly 0.5 cubic feet.
Related guides
- Fill Dirt vs Topsoil: Differences, Uses and Tons to Order
- How Much Sand for a 4x5 Sandbox?
- How Much Sand for a 4x6 Sandbox?
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.