Free Calculator
Fill Sand Calculator — How Much Fill Sand Do I Need?
Tons of bulk fill sand for grading, backfill, and pool removal.
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.
Fill sand is the budget bulk sand for grading, backfilling around foundations, low-spot repair, and pool-removal fills. Use this calculator to size tons. Florida ZIPs return live delivered pricing.
How to use this fill sand calculator
- 1
Measure the area or void
Flat fill: length × width × needed depth. Pool removal: length × width × average depth.
- 2
Pick a depth
Low-spot fill: 4–8 inches. Foundation backfill: trench depth. Pool removal: full pool depth (5+ feet).
- 3
Plan for lifts
Anything over 8 inches deep should be placed in 6–8 inch lifts and compacted between each.
- 4
Enter your ZIP
Florida ZIPs return delivered pricing per ton.
How the math works
Volume in cubic yards equals Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27. Fill sand has a density of about 1.25 tons per cubic yard.
Sand compacts roughly 10–15% from loose-dumped to compacted. The buffer handles this.
For a 16 × 32 × 5 ft pool fill: 512 × 5 ÷ 27 ≈ 95 cu yds loose ≈ 120 tons of fill sand.
How much does fill 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool removal 16 × 32 × 5 ft | 5 ft | 512 sq ft | ~120 tons |
| Low-spot fill 500 sq ft | 6" | 500 sq ft | ~11 tons |
| Foundation backfill (varies) | trench | varies | request quote |
| Pad base lift 30 × 50 ft | 6" | 1,500 sq ft | ~35 tons |
Common ordering mistakes
From real deliveries, these are the mistakes we see most often. Avoiding any one of them saves a callback order.
Fill sand for structural concrete
Use ASTM C33 concrete sand for any structural mix. Fill sand is for grading only.
No lifts on deep fills
Dumping 3 feet of sand and walking away gives you a sinkhole within a year. Place in 6–8 inch lifts.
Pool fill without breaking the shell
A sealed pool shell traps water under fill and creates a long-term sinkhole. Break the bottom up before filling.
Sand against an unprotected foundation
Sand drains, which is good, but install proper drainage at the base of the foundation before backfilling.
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.