Free Calculator
Concrete Sand Calculator — How Much Concrete Sand Do I Need?
Tons of ASTM C33 concrete sand for mixes, bedding, and slab bases.
3. Enter Dimensions
Your order summary lands here
As soon as the dimensions are valid, you will see the recommended quantity, truckload count, and the ZIP pricing step.
Concrete sand is the coarse washed sand spec for structural concrete mixes, pipe bedding, and slab bases. Use this calculator to size the load. Florida ZIPs return live delivered pricing.
How to use this concrete sand calculator
- 1
Measure the area or trench
Pipe bedding: trench length × width. Slab base: slab footprint. Concrete mix: estimate by yard of concrete.
- 2
Pick the depth
Pipe bedding under and over pipe: 4–6 inches each. Slab base: 2–4 inches over compacted stone base.
- 3
Confirm the grade
Concrete sand is ASTM C33 — coarser than mason sand. Wrong grade compromises strength.
- 4
Enter your ZIP
Florida ZIPs return delivered pricing per ton.
How the math works
Volume in cubic yards equals Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27. Concrete sand has a density of about 1.2 tons per cubic yard.
For a 50 ft × 2 ft pipe trench with 6 inches of sand under and 6 inches over the pipe (12 inches total of sand): 50 × 2 × 1 ÷ 27 ≈ 3.7 cu yds ≈ 4.5 tons.
Concrete sand is washed at the pit so chlorides and organics are minimized — important for structural integrity.
How much does concrete sand cover?
Quick reference for how much area one ton and one cubic yard cover at common depths.
| Depth | 1 ton covers | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 249 sq ft | 324 sq ft |
| 2" | 125 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 3" | 83 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4" | 62 sq ft | 81 sq ft |
| 6" | 42 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 12" | 21 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
Assumes a density of about 1.3 tons per cubic yard, typical for mason and concrete sand. Wet or compacted sand covers slightly less per ton.
Typical quantities by project
| Project | Depth | Area | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe trench 50 ft × 2 ft × 12" | 12" | 100 sq ft | ~4.5 tons |
| Slab leveling 400 sq ft | 2" | 400 sq ft | ~3 tons |
| Concrete mix supply (10 cu yds) | — | — | ~12 tons |
| Drainage layer 200 sq ft | 4" | 200 sq ft | ~3 tons |
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries, these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Concrete sand for paver bedding
Too coarse for a 1-inch setting bed. Use mason sand for pavers.
Skipping the slab base stone
Concrete sand alone under a slab is too compressible. Use a compacted stone base first, sand only as a leveling layer if at all.
Unwashed sand in a mix
Salt and organics from unwashed sand weaken concrete. Always specify ASTM C33 washed.
Pipe bedding too thin
Less than 4 inches of bedding around a pipe transmits point loads. 4 inches minimum under and over.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see delivered pricing?
Jump back to the calculator to price the exact quantity for your ZIP, or request a manual quote if the project needs special handling.