How Much Does Sand, dry (washed) Weigh?
Dry washed sand used for mortar, concrete, and leveling applications.
Dry washed sand is the default most people mean when they simply say "sand." It has been run through a washing process to strip out clay and silt, then screened for a consistent grain size and dried before delivery, which puts its weight at roughly 2,700 pounds per cubic yard.
Because the fines and moisture are gone, it behaves predictably: it pours freely, doesn't clump, and spreads evenly with a rake or shovel. That consistency is exactly why it's the workhorse choice for mixing and leveling jobs where you need the material to act the same way every time.
What Sand, dry (washed) Is Used For
- Mortar mixes for brick and block work
- Concrete production
- Leveling base under pavers and patios
- Backfill around buried pipe
- Sandbox or landscaping fill when a finer grade isn't required
- Traction on icy walkways and driveways
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, dry (washed) 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, dry (washed): What to Know
At about 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, a half-ton pickup with a typical 1,500-2,200 lb payload rating tops out well under a full yard, usually somewhere around 0.6 to 0.8 yard. "Dry" is also a relative term once sand is loaded outdoors or driven through rain, so treat the label as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Tarp the load both ways: it keeps sand from blowing out at highway speed and keeps rain from adding unplanned pounds before you weigh in. Spread the load evenly over the axle rather than piling it against the tailgate.
Buying & Ordering Sand, dry (washed)
Dry washed sand is sold by the cubic yard or by the ton at sand and gravel yards, and in 50 lb bags at home centers for small jobs. When ordering bulk, ask the supplier to confirm the sand is genuinely washed and dried rather than just drained overnight, since residual moisture changes both the weight you're hauling and the yield you get once it's spread.
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, dry (washed) — Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a cubic yard of dry sand actually weigh?
- About 2,700 pounds, though even sand sold as "dry" usually carries a small amount of residual moisture.
- Can a half-ton truck haul a full yard of dry sand?
- Usually not without pushing past the payload limit. Check the payload sticker inside the driver's doorjamb before you order a full yard.
- Is dry washed sand the same thing as mason sand?
- No. Dry washed sand typically runs a coarser, more mixed gradation than the finer, uniform grains used in mason sand.
- How much does Sand, dry (washed) weigh per cubic yard?
- Sand, dry (washed) weighs approximately 2,700 lbs per cubic yard. Dry washed sand used for mortar, concrete, and leveling applications.
- How much Sand, dry (washed) 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, dry (washed).
- How many cubic yards per ton of Sand, dry (washed)?
- Sand, dry (washed) weighs 2,700 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.74 cubic yards.
Related Material Weights
- Sand, wet — 3,375 lbs/yd³
- Sand, mason — 2,410 lbs/yd³
- Sand, concrete (ASTM C33) — 2,700 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.