10×10 ft patio at 2 in
Input
10 ft × 10 ft × 2 inOutput
16.7 cu ft · 0.62 cu yd10 × 10 × 2 ÷ 324 = 0.62 cu yd.
Sand volume is **area × depth**. For paver patios and leveling projects, measure footprint in feet and bedding depth in inches.
**Imperial formula (rectangle):**
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ **324**
**Example — 10×10 ft patio, 2 in bedding sand:**
10 × 10 × 2 ÷ 324 = **0.62 cubic yards** (16.7 cu ft)
**Paver screed layer:**
Most paver installs use **1 in** screeded leveling sand over compacted gravel base.
**Example — 10×10 ft patio, 1 in screed:**
100 × 1 ÷ 12 = **8.3 cu ft** (~0.31 cu yd)
**Round patio (circle):**
Volume = π × (radius ft)² × depth (ft)
**Coverage shortcut:** At 2 in depth, **1 cubic yard covers ~162 sq ft**. At 1 in screed, one yard covers ~324 sq ft.
**Metric formula:**
Volume (m³) = Area (m²) × Depth (cm) ÷ 100
Bedding sand is sold **bulk by the cubic yard** or in **bagged cubic feet** (often 0.5 cu ft play sand). Add **5–15% extra** for screed loss and spillage. **Base gravel is separate** — use the Gravel Calculator for crushed stone under sand.
The calculator treats the sanded zone as a flat rectangular prism, total area × depth, or cylinder for round patios. An optional buffer increases order quantity for screed loss and spillage.
Formula
cu yd = L(ft) × W(ft) × D(in) ÷ 324 | circle: π × r² × D(ft) ÷ 27 | m³ = area(m²) × D(cm) ÷ 100Tap Paver bedding (1 in screed), Patio sand bed (2 in), Fill/leveling (3 in), or Round patio — each sets recommended depth. Use presets for common patio sizes.
Enter length × width for rectangular patios, total square footage, or diameter for round pads. Measure the paved footprint only — exclude adjacent lawn.
Tap depth presets: 1 in for screeded leveling sand under pavers, 2 in standard bedding over compacted base, 3 in for fill and low-spot leveling.
Bulk suppliers quote by the cubic yard. Enter bag size (0.5 cu ft is common at retail) for bag count — results show bulk vs bag recommendation.
Enable the order buffer for spillage and screed loss. Calculate crushed stone base separately with the Gravel Calculator — pavers need 3–4 in compacted gravel under sand.
Input
10 ft × 10 ft × 2 inOutput
16.7 cu ft · 0.62 cu yd10 × 10 × 2 ÷ 324 = 0.62 cu yd.
Input
144 sq ft × 1 inOutput
12 cu ft · 0.44 cu ydThin screed layer for paver leveling.
Input
20 ft × 10 ft × 2 inOutput
33.3 cu ft · 1.23 cu ydDefault preset — borderline bulk vs bagged.
Input
20 m² × 5 cmOutput
1.0 m³ · 1,000 L20 × 0.05 m = 1.0 cubic meter.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
10×10 ft patio at 2 in sand: 100 × 2 ÷ 12 = 16.7 cu ft → ~0.62 cu yd. Screed level with 1×4 rails. Add 3–4 in crushed gravel base separately.
12×12 ft patio at 1 in screed: 144 × 1 ÷ 12 = 12 cu ft → ~0.44 cu yd. Thin leveling layer over already-compacted base gravel.
10 ft diameter circle at 2 in: π × 5² × (2/12) = 13.1 cu ft → ~0.49 cu yd. Use circle mode for accurate round patio volume.
Low spots before sod install at 1 in fill: measure patch area and depth. Thin sand layer — do not replace topsoil prep for full lawn grading.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
Sand, gravel, and pavers in order.
Thin sand fill for seam closing.
| Depth | Sq ft per cu yd | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 | Paver screed layer |
| 2 in | 162 | Standard bedding over base |
| 3 in | 108 | Fill and leveling |
Formula: 324 ÷ depth (inches) = sq ft per cubic yard.
| Layer | Depth | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Subgrade | Compacted soil | Existing grade |
| Base | 3–4 in | Crushed angular stone (#57) |
| Bedding | 1 in | Screeded concrete sand |
| Pavers | 2⅜ in typical | Interlocking concrete pavers |
Joint sand and edge restraint are additional — not included in bedding volume.
Bedding sand alone is not structural. Pavers need **3–4 in compacted angular gravel** under the sand layer — calculate separately.
Use **concrete sand or paver sand** — coarse, angular, and free-draining. Fine play sand does not screed or drain properly.
Bedding sand over 1–2 in settles unevenly. Deep sand causes paver rocking — keep screed layer thin and level.
This calculator estimates **bedding/screed volume**. Joint sand between pavers is a small separate quantity brushed into gaps after install.
Plate-compact gravel base before laying sand. Soft base causes pavers to settle after rain.
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At 2 in bedding depth: 100 × 2 ÷ 12 = 16.7 cu ft, or about 0.62 cubic yards. At 1 in screed only: ~8.3 cu ft (0.31 cu yd). Add 10% buffer for screed loss.
1 in screeded leveling sand over compacted gravel base for most paver installs. Up to 2 in if base is already level. Never exceed 2 in — deep sand settles unevenly.
Divide 324 by depth in inches. At 2 in, one yard covers 162 sq ft. At 1 in screed, 324 sq ft.
One cubic yard = 27 cu ft. At 0.5 cu ft bags: 54 bags. At 1 cu ft bags: 27 bags. Bulk delivery is usually cheaper above ~1–2 cu yd.
Concrete sand or paver sand — coarse, angular, and free-draining. Avoid fine play sand or masonry sand for bedding layers.
Yes. Install 3–4 in compacted crushed angular stone (#57 or similar) before screeding sand. Use the Gravel Calculator for base volume.
Use Round patio (⌀) mode. A 10 ft diameter pad at 2 in needs about 13.1 cu ft (0.49 cu yd). Enter diameter edge to edge.
No. Bedding sand is screeded under pavers in bulk. Polymeric joint sand is brushed into gaps after install — a much smaller quantity not covered by this calculator.
Patio dimensions and depth values are processed only in your browser — EverydayTools does not collect or store your measurements.
Volume estimates only — not landscape contracting or structural engineering. Confirm order quantities with your supplier.
Part of Calculator Tools
More free tools for the same workflow.
Free French drain calculator: trench length, width, and fill depth → cubic yards and bags of drain rock. Foundation and downspout presets, 12–24 in depth guide, order buffer. Imperial or metric. Runs locally in your browser.
Free gravel calculator: path, patio, or driveway footprint and depth → cubic yards, ton estimates, cubic feet, liters, and bag counts. Use-case depth guide, round pad mode, compaction buffer. Runs locally in your browser.
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Reviewed on 2026-06-28.
Sand use case
2 in — standard bedding over compacted base.
Sand depth presets
1 in screed for pavers; 2 in standard bedding over compacted base.
Bagged play sand — often 0.5 cu ft at retail. Leave blank to skip bag count.
1 cubic yard covers
| Depth | Sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 |
| 2 in | 162 |
| 3 in | 108 |
| 4 in | 81 |
Bag coverage at 2 in depth
| Bag | Covers | Per cu yd |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cu ft bag | 6 sq ft | 27 bags |
| 1.5 cu ft (40 L) | 9 sq ft | 18 bags |
| 2 cu ft bag | 12 sq ft | 14 bags |
| 3 cu ft bag | 18 sq ft | 9 bags |