How Much Does Sand, fill Weigh?
Unprocessed or minimally processed sand used for backfill, utility trench fill, and grading. Lighter than washed concrete sand due to mixed gradation.
Fill sand is the budget, no-frills option: unprocessed or only lightly processed, without the washing and screening that gives concrete or mason sand their consistent grain size. That mixed gradation, and the presence of some retained fines, is part of why it lands lighter than washed concrete sand at around 2,410 lbs per cubic yard.
It's not meant to be pretty or precise, it's meant to fill space. Because it hasn't been screened to a uniform spec, its behavior can vary more from load to load than a washed product would.
What Sand, fill Is Used For
- Backfilling excavations around foundations
- Utility trench backfill
- Grading and leveling low spots in a yard
- Building up sub-base before laying topsoil
- Filling voids under slabs or structures
- Raising grade around drainage features
Weight Facts
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,410 lbs
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,410 lbs
- Weight per cubic foot
- 89 lbs
- Weight per ton (yards)
- 0.83 cu yd
- Category
- Sand
How Much Sand, fill Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (cubic yards) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 0.62 | 2,972 lbs ⚠ |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 0.62 | 3,026 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.58 | 3,740 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 0.62 | 3,740 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.58 | 3,740 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 0.60 | 3,740 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 0.65 | 3,865 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 0.48 | 3,579 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 0.46 | 3,071 lbs ⚠ |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 0.50 | 3,169 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 0.63 | 5,561 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 0.66 | 6,400 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 0.62 | 6,400 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 0.51 | 5,489 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 0.62 | 5,855 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 0.61 | 5,320 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 1.24 | 7,007 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 1.66 | 7,007 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 2.28 | 7,007 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.33 | 7,453 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.33 | 7,453 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.37 | 7,453 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.37 | 7,453 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 0.81 | 6,668 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 2.61 | 6,668 lbs ⚠ |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Sand, fill: What to Know
At 2,410 lbs per cubic yard, fill sand gives a half-ton truck a bit more volume margin than heavier sands, but it can carry unpredictable moisture and clay content that spikes its wet weight in ways a washed product wouldn't.
Because it isn't washed, a load can hide dense, wet clay pockets that weigh far more than the dry average suggests. If you're loading close to your truck's payload limit, weigh the load rather than assuming a "yard" scoop matches the listed dry weight.
Buying & Ordering Sand, fill
Fill sand is typically the least expensive sand sold, since it skips the washing and screening steps that add cost to other grades, and it's usually delivered in bulk by dump truck. When ordering, specify whether you need relatively clean fill or can accept some clay and silt content, since jobs near foundations or drainage systems often call for cleaner material than a simple grading job would.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
⚠ Overloaded — 910 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
Sand, fill — Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use fill sand as a paver base?
- No, use concrete sand or a dedicated compactable base material instead. Fill sand isn't screened for the compaction performance paver bases need.
- Does fill sand contain debris or trash?
- Reputable suppliers screen out large debris, but fill sand isn't held to the cleanliness standard of washed sand, so it's worth asking directly.
- How much fill sand do I need for a trench?
- Calculate the trench's length, width, and depth to get cubic yardage, then order based on that volume rather than guessing.
- How much does Sand, fill weigh per cubic yard?
- Sand, fill weighs approximately 2,410 lbs per cubic yard. Unprocessed or minimally processed sand used for backfill, utility trench fill, and grading. Lighter than washed concrete sand due to mixed gradation.
- How much Sand, fill can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.62 cubic yards of Sand, fill.
- How many cubic yards per ton of Sand, fill?
- Sand, fill weighs 2,410 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.83 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, concrete (ASTM C33) — 2,700 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.