Sand Calculator

What this calculator does

Estimates the tonnes and volume of sand for a bedding or fill layer from area and depth.

How to use it

1. Enter width and length.
2. Enter depth in centimeters.
3. Set waste and read tonnes and cubic meters.

Formula

baseVolume = Width × Length × Depth/100
metric tonnes = baseVolume × 1.5 × (1 + Waste Margin (%) / 100)
Material volume m³ = baseVolume × (1 + Waste Margin (%) / 100)

Formulas are shown in metric units, exactly as the calculator computes them. Imperial entries are converted to metric first. Waste is applied as a multiplier (1 + waste/100).

Areas are in m² and volumes in m³. Centimeters are divided by 100 to give meters.

Variables

Worked example

Using the default values of this calculator (Width = 5 m, Length = 10 m, Depth = 5 cm, Waste Margin (%) = 10 %), the calculator returns:

baseVolume = 5 × 10 × 5/100
metric tonnes = baseVolume × 1.5 × (1 + 10 / 100)
Material volume m³ = baseVolume × (1 + 10 / 100)

• Sand Needed: 4.125 t
• Material volume: 2.75 m³

Assumptions and limitations

• Uses a fixed bulk density of 1.5 t/m³; damp sand is heavier.
• Moisture bulking and compaction are not modelled.

Waste, rounding and buying

Sand is sold by tonne or bulk bag. Round up and keep it covered, because wind and rain change what you receive.

Frequently asked questions

Does moisture change the result?

Yes. Damp sand weighs more per cubic meter, so use the volume result when comparing with a supplier.

Can I use this for mortar sand?

Use the Mortar calculator for bags of mortar; this tool only converts an area and depth.

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• Gravel Calculator
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