How Much Sand for an 18x33 Oval Above Ground Pool?

An 18x33 oval pool covers roughly 524 square feet of ground. Spread 2 inches deep, the sand base is 3.24 cubic yards. How much sand for an 18x33 oval above ground pool in bags: about 175 bags of 50 lb.

Volume and tonnage calculator →

Footprint math

The oval is a rectangle with a half circle at each end: width × straight section, plus a full circle with the pool’s width as its diameter. At 2 inches (0.167 ft) the volume is 87.4 cubic feet, or 3.24 yards.

Sand by depth

Sand depth	Cubic yards	Tons	50 lb bags
1 in	1.62	2.2	88
2 in	3.24	4.4	175
3 in	4.86	6.6	263

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.

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

Masonry or mason sand is fine-grained and smooth under a liner. Avoid sand with sharp stones. Some owners add a foam or felt pad on top of the sand to protect the liner.

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.

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.

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.

Questions people ask

How much sand for an 18x33 oval pool?

About 3.24 cubic yards, roughly 4.4 tons, at 2 inches.

How many bags of sand for an 18x33 oval pool?

About 175 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.

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