Sand Calculator

From dimensions to measured and ordered volume

Enter one rectangular fill. Length and width default to feet; depth defaults to inches. A metric switch accepts meters and centimeters without changing the underlying measurements. Measured ft³ = length × width × depth ÷ 12, and yd³ = ft³ ÷ 27. The tool keeps measured volume separate from order volume after your waste allowance.

Dimensions accept up to three decimal places in US units or six in metric. Length and width are each limited to 1,000 ft equivalent, depth to 120 in equivalent, and base volume to 1,000 yd³. These are software limits, not recommended project dimensions. Commas, signs, exponent notation, nonfinite values and incomplete decimals are rejected. Converted displays retain canonical measurements until an edit.

Weight is conditional on density, not geometry

Approximate pounds = unrounded order yd³ × density in lb/yd³. Divide pounds by 2,000 for US short tons, not metric tonnes. Density never alters the rectangle’s measured volume. The initial 3,000 lb/yd³ equals 1.5 US short tons/yd³: EPA Exhibit 3.3 uses that as a general sand/gravel/soil estimating factor, not a universal value for dry, wet or packaged sand.

Use current supplier data. This planning tool accepts entered density from 1,000 through 5,000 lb/yd³ and tells you to verify values outside that range rather than silently clamping them. Clearing density leaves weight and bulk billing uncalculated while the measured volume remains available. Sources and scope were checked October 1, 2026.

Whole bags use volume yield

Bag count = ceil(unrounded order ft³ ÷ package volume yield). It is calculated with exact rational arithmetic, not from the rounded volume on screen. A true 1 ft³ requirement at 0.5 ft³ per bag needs 2 bags, not 3. Bag yield must be greater than 0 and no more than 10 ft³; ask the supplier if a package lists only weight.

A hypothetical comparison with all supplier terms

10 ft × 10 ft × 2 in gives about 0.61728395 yd³. At 10% waste, order volume is about 18.3333333 ft³ or 0.67901235 yd³. At an entered 3,000 lb/yd³, weight is about 2,037.037 lb or 1.0185185 US short tons. A 0.5 ft³ bag yield requires 37 bags.

These are invented prices, not market rates: $5.50 per bag gives 37 × $5.50 = $203.50. A $45 per short ton bulk price with a 3-ton minimum billable quantity and $80 delivery gives max(1.0185185, 3) × $45 + $80 = $215.00. Bags are $11.50 lower on those terms. Billable 3 tons is a charge basis, not proof that 3 tons will be delivered.

All price fields start blank. Enter bag yield, both prices, density, minimum billable short tons and delivery to compare. Enter 0 explicitly if a supplier has no minimum or fee; missing is never treated as free. Known bag counts or material subtotals can be shown while a complete comparison remains uncalculated. Money rounds half up to cents; equal rounded totals say the same estimated cost, without picking a winner.

Privacy, reset and supplier confirmation

Calculation, clipboard copy and UTF-8 TXT export run entirely in this browser. After required static code loads, you can disconnect and enter a new project. Measurements, quantities, density and prices are not sent to calculation services, stored in the URL or browser storage, or included in coarse tool analytics. Edits clear old quantities and price comparisons until you recalculate.

Reset clears geometry, purchase terms and results, returning the stated 0% waste and illustrative density starting values. It does not erase a downloaded file or the system clipboard. Copy or download failure keeps the estimate available with manual-copy or retry instructions.

This is a preliminary quantity and entered-cost estimate, not a live quote, supplier marketplace, safe-load calculation, engineered plan or recommendation for product, depth, compaction or local compliance. Confirm measurements, moisture-sensitive density, bag yield, minimum billing, actual delivered amount, delivery, taxes and final pricing with your chosen supplier.