Sand costs $15 to $50 per ton or $30 to $70 per cubic yard, per HomeGuide.1 A 50-pound bag runs $4 to $6 – the bag equivalent of $160 to $240 per ton, several times the bulk price.1 Delivered, most homeowners pay $200 to $650 per order in HomeGuide and Angi data.1,2*
$15 – $50
per ton, HomeGuide
$30 – $70
per cubic yard
$4 – $6
per 50 lb bag
$200 – $650
typical delivered order
Quick math: a 200 sq ft paver base at 1 inch deep needs 0.62 cubic yards – $19 to $43 in material at $30 to $70 per yard, before delivery. Our multiplication; one yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3 inches per HomeGuide.1
Published prices at a glance
Three references, all fetched and read October 2026:
The sources disagree on the base rate: HomeAdvisor’s $5 to $30 per ton is half of HomeGuide’s $15 to $50. HomeAdvisor also says $15 to $40 per yard, and a yard of sand weighs about 1.3 to 1.5 tons – so its own ton and yard figures do not convert cleanly. Treat HomeGuide’s numbers as the better-documented set and HomeAdvisor’s as a low-end check.3
Cost by sand type
| Type | HomeGuide (per ton)1 | Angi (per ton)2 | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill sand | $15 – $30 | – | Raising grades, filling holes |
| Concrete (coarse) sand | $25 – $50 | – | Mixing concrete, drainage |
| Paver sand | $25 – $45 unwashed / $35 – $50 washed | $40 – $65 | Paver bases and joints |
| Mason sand | $30 – $85 | $40 – $60 | Mortar, masonry |
| Play sand | $35 – $55 | $50 – $70 | Sandboxes, playgrounds |
| Specialty / colored / silica | $40 – $100+ | $40 – $100 | Decorative finishes |
Washing adds $10 to $30 per ton over unwashed per HomeGuide.1 See our how much sand for pavers guide for the quantity side.
Three worked examples (we did the math)
| Project | Amount | Material cost |
|---|---|---|
| Paver base 200 sq ft at 1 in. | 0.62 cu yd | $19 – $43 at $30-$70/yd |
| Sandbox 4’ x 4’ at 6 in. deep | 8 cu ft = 16 x 50-lb bags | $64 – $96 at $4-$6/bag |
| Bulk order 5 tons | 5 tons | $250 – $400 delivered per Angi2 |
The sandbox row shows why bags lose: 16 bags at $64 to $96 buys about 0.4 tons – bulk play sand at $35 to $55 per ton would cost $14 to $22 for the same sand, if you could get it delivered in that size.1
What else to budget for
Spreading equipment: $50 to $150 per day rental for compactors or spreaders per Angi.2
Cleanup: $50 to $200 if you want the crew to handle it.2
Replenishing: playgrounds and paver bases need topping off over time, $50 to $200 per year per Angi.2
Related guides and tools
How much sand for pavers, fill dirt cost | How much sand for a sandbox | Topsoil cost | Gravel prices per ton
FAQ
How much does a ton of sand cost? $15 to $50 per ton for common types per HomeGuide, up to $100+ for specialty.1
Is bagged or bulk sand cheaper? Bulk by 4x or more: bags work out to $160 to $240 per ton versus $15 to $50 bulk per HomeGuide. Bags are for sandboxes and touch-ups.1
How much does sand delivery cost? $200 to $650 for a typical order in HomeGuide and Angi data, or $300 to $700 for a 10 to 14 yard truckload per HomeAdvisor.1,2,3
What sand do I need for a sandbox? Play sand – washed and screened for safety at $35 to $55 per ton, or $4 to $6 per bag per HomeGuide. See our sandbox sand guide.1
Sources
- HomeGuide – Sand Delivery Cost
- Angi – How Much Does Sand Delivery Cost?
- HomeAdvisor – Cost to Deliver Soil, Mulch or Rocks
*Prices are 2025-2026 national averages from the cited sources and vary by sand type, washing, order size and delivery distance. Get local quotes before budgeting.