Sand Calculator: measuring notes and method
Measure only the bedding layer
Exclude aggregate-base and paver thickness from the sand depth. Each pavement layer uses the same footprint with its own thickness.
Check supply condition
Moisture and material condition affect bulk density. Confirm the density and sale unit if buying by weight; for a volume order, the density input is not needed to determine the cubic quantity.
Formula
Volume = length × width × depth × (1 + waste ÷ 100). Mass = volume × density.
Worked examples in metric and imperial units
Illustrative values match Reset example and stay fixed when you edit the calculator. Both columns describe the same calculation; converted inputs are rounded.
Metric worked example
- Length
- 6 m
- Width
- 4 m
- Finished depth
- 30 mm
- Bulk density
- 1,600 kg/m³
- Waste allowance
- 10 %
Material weight: 1,267.2 kg
Imperial worked example
- Length
- 19.685 ft
- Width
- 13.1234 ft
- Finished depth
- 1.1811 in
- Bulk density
- 99.8847 lb/ft³
- Waste allowance
- 10 %
Material weight: 2,793.6978 lb
Follow the calculation
Lengths in this working are in metres.
- Net volume = 6 × 4 × 0.03 = 0.72 m³.
- Allowance multiplier = 1 + 10 ÷ 100 = 1.1.
- Mass = 0.792 m³ × 1,600 kg/m³ = 1,267.2 kg.
Unit conversions
1 m³ = 1,000 L ≈ 1.30795 yd³. One cubic yard is 27 ft³.
For metric tonnes, divide kg by 1,000. For US short tons, divide lb by 2,000; a long ton is 2,240 lb. Confirm your supplier’s unit.
Reviewed 19 October 2026. How calculations are checked · Report a correction