Pool Sand Calculator (Above-Ground Pool Base)
An above-ground pool sits on a 2-inch bed of mason sand with a sloped sand cove around the inside of the wall. This calculator works out the base and the cove for round and oval pools, in tons, cubic yards, and 50 lb bags.
What you'll need
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Aqua Joe Premium Pool & Spa Filter Sand, 50 Lb Bag, FLTSAND50
$32.97
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Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Home Utility Yard Wheelbarrow Garden Cart w/Built-in Stand for Lawn, Gardening, Construction - Green
$99.00
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NoCry Clear Safety Glasses for Men and Women with Anti-Fog and Scratch Resistant Wrap Around Lenses, Adjustable Temples and Nose Pads — ANSI Z87 Certified Protective Eyewear with 100% UV Shielding
$13.99
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Palmetto Pool Filter Sand for Swimming Pools, 50 Lbs, Natural Silica
$29.99
View on Amazon →Prices as of Sep 25, 2026, 6:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much sand do I need for a 24 foot round above-ground pool?
- About 3.3 cubic yards, or 4.3 tons of mason sand, for a 2-inch base plus a 6-inch cove around the wall. That is roughly 170 bags, so order it in bulk.
- How deep should sand be under an above-ground pool?
- Two inches, spread and tamped over level, compacted ground. Thicker sand beds shift and show footprints. The sand smooths the floor and protects the liner; the ground underneath must already be level.
- What type of sand goes under an above-ground pool?
- Washed mason sand. It is fine, soft, and free of stones that could puncture the liner. Avoid concrete sand and fill sand, which contain sharp particles and debris.
- What is a pool cove and why does it need sand?
- A cove is a sloped ramp of sand, about six inches high and six inches deep, built around the inside of the pool wall. It stops the liner being pulled into the gap between the floor and the wall under water pressure.
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