How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Sand Cost? Mason, Play & Paver Sand Prices

All prices are typical US ranges, as of Oct 2026.

The short answer

A cubic yard of mason or concrete sand costs $25–$45 in bulk (typical US range). Coarse fill sand is the cheapest at $15–$25/yd; play sand runs $22–$38/yd in bulk but is usually sold bagged at $3–$5 per 50-lb bag; and paver/joint sand is the premium tier — polymeric bags run $20–$90 each. Delivery adds $50–$150 per trip. Sand is the one material where moisture directly changes the price math: dry sand weighs about 2,700 lbs per yard, damp sand can exceed 3,200 — which is why yards often quote by the ton.

The moisture point deserves emphasis because it is the easiest place to overpay. A per-ton quote signed on a dry Tuesday and delivered after a rainy weekend can weigh 10–15% more for the same volume of sand — and you pay for every pound. When comparing a per-ton quote against a per-yard quote, always convert at the dry density (1.35 tons/yd³ for mason sand) and ask the supplier whether the price assumes dry or as-delivered weight. On per-yard quotes, rain costs you nothing extra; on per-ton quotes, it quietly does.

Bulk sand prices by type

Sand types are defined by washing, grading, and intended use — and processing is what you pay for:

These bands reflect published 2026 ranges from Michigan supplier surveys (masonry $28–$45, play $22–$38, fill $15–$25), national cost guides (concrete sand $35–$55, masonry $40–$60), and contractor estimating tables. Mason and concrete sand are graded for structural work under ASTM C33; fill sand is not — never substitute fill sand into concrete or mortar, because the fines and organic matter weaken the mix.

A note on what “mason” and “concrete” sand actually differ on: mason sand is fine and uniform for mortar work and paver bedding; concrete sand is coarser, with angular particles that interlock for concrete mixes and paver bases. They price nearly identically ($25–$45/yd) because they come from the same quarries and washing plants — the difference is the screen size, not the value. When a yard lists only “washed sand” at the top of this band, it is usually mason-grade stock sold under a generic name. And if your project is a paver patio, remember the bedding layer and the joint material are two purchases: 1 inch of bulk mason sand under the pavers (pennies per square foot), then joint sand swept on top (see the premium tier below).

Play sand: the bagged math

Play sand is the one sand most homeowners meet as a bag, not a bulk pile. The standard 50-lb bag holds about 0.5 cubic feet, so the bag math mirrors gravel:

27 ÷ 0.5 = 54 bags per cubic yard. At $3–$5 per bag (typical retail): 54 × $3–$5 = $162–$270 per cubic yard, versus $22–$38 for the same sand in bulk where suppliers stock it.

For a typical 8×8 ft sandbox at 1 foot deep (2.37 yd³), that is 128 bags — $384–$640 bagged versus $52–$90 bulk. Bags win on convenience and because many sandboxes sit where trucks cannot reach; they lose badly on price. See our sandbox sand guide for depth choices, and the types of sand reference if you are choosing between play, mason, and all-purpose.

Paver sand: the premium tier

Paver joints take two very different sands. Plain joint/mason sand sweeps into joints at bulk prices — about $4–$8 per 50-lb bag — and needs annual top-ups because weeds, ants, and rain displace it. Polymeric paver sand contains binders that harden on watering, locking joints against weeds and washout for 3–10 years, and it costs $20–$90 per 50-lb bag (typical US retail) — roughly 4–8× the price of plain sand.

There is no bulk per-yard market for polymeric sand; it is sold only bagged, and priced per bag. Budget it separately from your bedding sand: a patio needs bulk mason sand for the 1-inch bedding layer (cheap) and polymeric bags for the joints (expensive). Do not try to price a paver job “per cubic yard” for the joint material — the bag price is the only number that exists.

Per-ton equivalents at site densities

Because yards weigh loads, converting the $/yard price to $/ton is the reality check on any quote. Using this site's published densities:

The wet-sand row explains why per-ton quotes favor the seller after rain: the same yard weighs 15% more wet. If you are quoted per ton, multiply by the tons-per-yard above and confirm the result lands in the $25–$45 band before comparing against a per-yard quote.

Cost by project: worked examples

Material-only costs at $25–$45/yd bulk (polymeric joint sand excluded — budget it per bag). Run your dimensions through the sand calculator; the math below is length × width × depth ÷ 27 plus 10% overage.

Notice the sandbox rows: identical volume, $57–$99 bulk vs $384–$640 bagged. The pool-base row assumes mason sand — see our pool base sand guide for why mason sand beats play sand under a liner.

Sand delivery: what to expect

Sand is heavy, and delivery logistics decide your real price more than the per-yard number. A standard dump truck carries 10–14 cubic yards of sand — at 1.35 tons per yard, a 12-yard load weighs over 16 tons, so the truck shows up full and charges the $50–$150 trip fee whether you ordered 2 yards or 12. This makes sand the poster child for minimum-order math: many suppliers enforce a 2–3 yard minimum or a short-load surcharge, and a $75 fee on 1 yard of $35 sand makes your effective price $110/yd.

Before the truck arrives: pick the drop spot and prep it. Sand piles on grass kill the grass underneath within days, so lay a tarp if the pile will sit. The truck needs firm, dry ground and about 15 feet of overhead clearance — soft ground after rain is the most common reason a delivery gets refused or rutted into your lawn. Point out septic tanks, sprinkler heads, and shallow utilities before the truck rolls over them. And time the order with the weather: a rainstorm between delivery and installation turns a dry 1.35-ton yard into a 1.55-ton yard of wet sand that is heavier to move and, on per-ton quotes, heavier to pay for.

Buying tips & common mistakes

Match the sand to the job. Concrete and mortar need ASTM C33-graded mason/concrete sand; fill sand is for leveling only. Order bedding sand and joint sand separately — bulk mason sand for under the pavers, polymeric bags for between them. Ask about moisture pricing. If the pile is rain-soaked, a per-ton quote works against you; prefer per-yard. Do not buy bagged for projects over ~1 yard unless no supplier delivers that sand type in bulk near you. Check the delivery minimum — a $50–$150 trip fee on half a yard doubles your effective price, which is the one case where self-hauling or bags win. For sandboxes, confirm “play sand” specifically — it is washed and screened for contaminants; mason sand is not rated for play. Compare bulk sand quotes by the yard, not the ton, unless both quotes are per ton: a $28/ton quote at 1.35 tons/yd³ is $37.80/yd, which sits mid-band, while the same $28/ton for wet 1.55-ton sand is $43.40/yd — the top of the band.Do not let bedding and joint sand merge on the invoice. A paver contractor quoting “sand” at $60/bag is quoting polymeric joint sand; bulk mason bedding sand should be priced per yard. Get the two materials itemized so the premium tier cannot hide inside the bulk line.

One last check for concrete and mortar work: confirm the sand is washed. Unwashed pit sand contains clay and silt that weaken concrete and cause mortar to shrink-crack. “Washed” should be on the ticket or the product name — if it is not, ask. The price difference between washed and unwashed is a few dollars a yard; the strength difference in your slab is not.