How Much Does Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) Weigh?
Coarse washed sand meeting ASTM C33 gradation specifications. The standard sand used in concrete mixes and as a compactable base layer under pavers.
ASTM C33 isn't a brand name, it's a gradation spec: a defined range of particle sizes that concrete sand has to fall within to perform correctly in structural mixes. Sand meeting this standard weighs in around 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, similar to ordinary dry washed sand but held to tighter quality control.
That gradation control matters more than it sounds like it should. Concrete needs a predictable mix of particle sizes to bond properly with cement and aggregate, and sand that doesn't meet spec can weaken the finished pour even if it looks fine going in.
What Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) Is Used For
- Ready-mix and bagged concrete production
- Compactable base course under pavers and slabs
- Structural fill where predictable compaction is required
- Pipe bedding that calls for a specific gradation
- Mortar in some regional mixes
- Backfill where drainage performance is part of the spec
Weight Facts
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,700 lbs
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,700 lbs
- Weight per cubic foot
- 100 lbs
- Weight per ton (yards)
- 0.74 cu yd
- Category
- Sand
How Much Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (cubic yards) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 0.56 | 3,330 lbs ⚠ |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 0.56 | 3,390 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.52 | 4,190 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 0.56 | 4,190 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.52 | 4,190 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 0.54 | 4,190 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 0.58 | 4,330 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 0.43 | 4,010 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 0.41 | 3,440 lbs ⚠ |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 0.44 | 3,550 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 0.56 | 6,230 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 0.59 | 7,170 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 0.56 | 7,170 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 0.46 | 6,150 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 0.55 | 6,560 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 0.54 | 5,960 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 1.11 | 7,850 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 1.48 | 7,850 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 2.04 | 7,850 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.19 | 8,350 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.19 | 8,350 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.11 | 8,350 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.11 | 8,350 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 0.72 | 7,470 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 2.33 | 7,470 lbs ⚠ |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Sand, concrete (ASTM C33): What to Know
The per-yard weight matches dry sand at roughly 2,700 lbs, but concrete sand is frequently ordered in larger quantities for slab pours, so the totals climb fast. Three yards for a modest driveway slab is already close to 4 tons, more than a self-hauling pickup can move in one trip.
Calculate the total cubic yards the pour actually requires before you order, then split the load across multiple truck trips or arrange dump-truck delivery rather than assuming one trip will cover it.
Buying & Ordering Sand, concrete (ASTM C33)
Concrete sand is sold by the yard or ton, and for any engineered or structural pour it's worth asking the supplier to confirm the material actually meets ASTM C33 gradation, not just that it's labeled "concrete sand." A supplier who can't produce that confirmation may be selling a generic sand that's really closer to fill sand, which isn't a safe substitute in a structural mix.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
⚠ Overloaded — 1,200 lbs over capacity
This load exceeds the published payload rating and may damage the truck's suspension, frame, tires, and brakes. Reduce quantity or use a higher-rated truck.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
2 trips needed with your Ford Maverick
Could a rental truck do this in fewer trips?
Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) — Frequently Asked Questions
- What does ASTM C33 actually mean?
- It's a standard particle-size gradation specification that concrete aggregate sand must meet for reliable structural performance.
- Can I use fill sand instead of concrete sand to save money?
- No. Fill sand's gradation isn't controlled the same way, and using it in a structural mix can weaken the finished concrete.
- How many yards of concrete sand do I need for a slab?
- Base it on the pour's actual cubic yardage, thickness times area, not just the surface square footage.
- How much does Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) weigh per cubic yard?
- Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) weighs approximately 2,700 lbs per cubic yard. Coarse washed sand meeting ASTM C33 gradation specifications. The standard sand used in concrete mixes and as a compactable base layer under pavers.
- How much Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.56 cubic yards of Sand, concrete (ASTM C33).
- How many cubic yards per ton of Sand, concrete (ASTM C33)?
- Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) weighs 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.74 cubic yards.
Related Material Weights
- Sand, dry (washed) — 2,700 lbs/yd³
- Sand, wet — 3,375 lbs/yd³
- Sand, mason — 2,410 lbs/yd³
- Sand, fill — 2,410 lbs/yd³
- Sand, play — 2,600 lbs/yd³
Helpful Guides
- Cubic Yards, Tons, and Bags: A Material Conversion Guide
How to convert between cubic yards, tons, and bags for gravel, sand, soil, and mulch — with the density figures and formulas that make the math work.
- What Happens If You Overload Your Truck?
Overloading a pickup risks tickets, tire blowouts, brake failure, frame damage, and a voided warranty. Here is what actually happens and how to stay legal and safe.