Sand: Weight, Coverage & Types
Choose the right sand for pavers, mortar, or bedding and estimate the load accurately.
Calculate sand for your project
Sand fills a huge range of jobs — leveling pavers, mixing mortar, bedding pipe, playgrounds, and traction. Because each type has a different grain shape and moisture content, weight per yard varies.
Dry sand weighs about 2,600–2,700 lb per cubic yard (~1,600 kg/m³). Wet sand can push past 3,200 lb, so always specify dry weight when ordering.
For paver installations, use coarse concrete sand as bedding (1″ layer) and polymeric sand in the joints. Play sand is washed and screened to remove sharp particles.
Common uses
- Paver bedding and joint fill
- Mortar and concrete mixes
- Sandboxes and playgrounds
- Traction on icy walkways
- Backfill around utilities
Types of sand
Frequently asked
How much does a yard of sand weigh?
About 2,600–2,700 lb dry, or up to 3,200 lb wet.
What sand goes under pavers?
Coarse concrete sand for the 1″ bedding layer, polymeric sand in the joints.
How thick should sand be under pavers?
1 inch of screeded concrete sand over a compacted 4–6″ gravel base.