About

Estimating material volume for landscaping projects requires accounting for the physical state of the aggregate. Sand acts like a sponge; its density changes drastically based on moisture content and compaction. A standard mistake in procurement is ordering based on dry density figures when the supplier delivers wet, packed sand. This discrepancy leads to volume shortages on site. This tool converts delivered weight (Metric Tonnes) into usable volume (Cubic Meters) using specific density coefficients for dry, damp, and wet conditions.

Formulas

The conversion relies on the fundamental density relationship, adjusted for the specific moisture state of the material.

V = m × 1000ρ

Where V is volume in cubic meters, m is mass in tonnes, and ρ is the bulk density in kg/m³.

Reference Data

Condition	Density kg/m³	1 Ton Yields m³
Dry Loose Sand	1440	0.69
Dry Packed Sand	1600	0.63
Damp Sand (Natural)	1920	0.52
Wet Packed Sand	2080	0.48
Wet Concrete Sand	2000	0.50
River Sand	1550	0.64
Silica Sand	1200	0.83
Beach Sand	1530	0.65

Frequently Asked Questions

Water adds significant mass without adding proportional volume. When you buy 1 ton of wet sand, a portion of that weight is water (often 15-20%), meaning you receive less actual sand particulate than if you bought 1 ton of dry sand.

Loose density refers to sand that has been shoveled or dumped and contains air pockets. Packed density refers to sand that has been vibrated or compressed (like under a paver driveway), reducing the air voids and increasing the weight per cubic meter.

Damp Sand (1920 kg/m³) is the safest baseline for outdoor stockpiles. Most sand delivered from a quarry or yard sits outdoors and retains moisture.

Yes. Finer sand generally packs tighter and holds more water through capillary action, often resulting in higher bulk densities than coarse, angular sand.