How much a gallon of sand weighs depends upon the size of the sand grains and sand conditions like moist, dry loose, and compact. Hence big grain size sand has more pores compared to the small grain size sand and much air fills in it. Therefore the sand grain size is big then its density is lower than the small grains of sand. So small grains size sand weigh more than big grains size sand.
Generally, the weight of dry sand is about 100 lb per cubic foot, 2700 lb per cubic yard, and 1.6 tonnes per cubic meter. It is an approximate weight of dry sand it can be less or more due to many other factors.
Sand is one of the most used building materials. Sand weight depends on mainly two factors one is sand condition wet or dry and another is sand grain size. The wet sand weight depends on how wet the sand is. Sand is measured in cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters, and gallons. So we have to know sand weight per cubic feet/yards/meter and how much does a gallon of sand weight.
By the way, the weight of dry sand is 100 lb (45 kg) per cubic foot and wet sand weight is around 120 lb to 130 lb (54 kg to 59 kg) per cubic foot.
The weight of sand always varies depending on several factors. Including the moisture content, grain size, and compaction. If we look at the typical density of sand, it is about 100 pounds per cubic foot. It means that a gallon of sand, which is 1/7 of a cubic foot will weigh about 14.3 pounds.
There are a few factors that affect the weight of sand
- Type of sand.
- Moisture content is present in it.
- Compaction – they are generally heavier than loose sand.
Let’s take a few examples of weight of different types of sand –
- Dry loose sand – Generally they are 12.5 pounds per gallon(5.6 kg).
- Wet, tightly packed sand- Generally they are 13.5 pounds per gallon (6.13 kg).
- Play sand – They are generally 13 pounds per gallon.
- Masonry sand – They are generally 14 pounds per gallon.
- Concrete sand – They are generally 14.5 pounds per gallon.
Basically, sand is collected along the river basin as river sand from the bank of the ocean as marine sand. It is also collected from the floodplain area.
How much does a gallon of sand weight
The typical weight of a gallon of natural sand is about 13.5 pounds (6.13 kg). Dry loose sand weighs 12 pounds (5.46kg). Whereas dry packed sand weighs about 14 pounds (6.36) per gallon. The wet sand weighs 16 pounds (7.3 kg) whereas the wet-packed sand weighs around 17.33 pounds (7.88kg) per gallon. Therefore the typical weight of sand ranges between 12 to 17.5 pounds per gallon or an average of 13.5 per gallon.
Let’s take a look at the different densities of sands based on imperial or US customary measurement systems
- Dry loose sand can weigh up to 1.422 kg/liter.
- Dry sand can weigh up to 1.602 kg/liter.
- For dry sand packed its weight can be 1.602 kg/ liter.
- For wet sand, its weight could be 1.92 kg/liter.
- For beach dry sand their weight can be 1.53 kg/liter.
We packed sand their weight can be 2.82 kg/ liter. When it is taken for estimating purposes, The average weight of sand is 1600 kg /m3 or 1.6 kg/liter.
How much does a 2-gallon of Sand weigh
A 2-gallon of Natural dry sand can weigh up to 27 Pounds and is 12.26kg.
The dry loose sand of 2 gallons can weigh up to 24 pounds which is 10.92kg.
The dry-packed sand weighs around 28 lbs, which is 12.6 kg for 2 gallons.
The wet sand weighs around 32 lbs, which is 14.54kg for 2 gallons.
Likewise, 2 gallons of wet-packed sand weighs around 34.66 lbs which is 15.76 kg.
How much does a 3-gallon of Sand weigh
3-gallon of Natural dry sand can weigh up to 41 Pounds and is 18.5kg.
The dry loose sand of 3 gallons can weigh up to 36 pounds which is 16.5 kg.
The dry-packed sand weighs around 42 lbs, which is 19 kg for 3 gallons
The wet sand weighs around 48 lbs, which is 22 kg for 3 gallons.
Likewise, 3 gallons of wet-packed sand weighs around 52 lbs which is 24 kg.
How much does a 5-gallon of Sand weigh
A 5-gallon of Natural dry sand can weigh up to 67.5 pounds and is 30kg.
The dry loose sand of 5 gallons can weigh up to 60 pounds which is 27.3kg.
The dry-packed sand weighs around 70lbs and is 31.83kg for 5 gallons
The wet sand weighs around 80 lbs, that is 36.37kg for 5 gallons.
Likewise, 5 gallons of wet-packed sand weighs around 87 lbs, which is 39.4 kg.
Sand weight for the UK and US gallon
The 1 liter of natural dry sand weighs about 1.62kg in the U.S.
1 U. S gallon is = 3.785 liters
So, the weight of a gallon of sand in the U. S is = 1.62 × 3.785
= 6.13kg which is equal to 13.5 pounds.
Similarly, In the United Kingdom, or US Imperial gallon is equal to 4.546 liters. So the weight of a gallon (4.546 liters) of sand = 1.62× 4.546 = 7.36kg, which is equal to 16.2 pounds approximately.
You should also read this
- How far can a triple 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, and 2×12 beam span
- Weight of 1 cubic meter of M10, M15, M20, and M25 Concrete
- 1 CFT Aggregate/ Ballast/ Gravel Weight in kg
In this article, we have learned that the typical weight of one gallon of natural dry play or beach sand is about 13.5 pounds which is 6.13 kg. For dry sand loose it weighs around 12 pounds which is 5.46kg. Same for dry packed sand it weighs about 14 pounds which is 6.366kg per gallon. Wet sand is about 16 pounds which is 7.3 kg per gallon. And wet packed sand is around 17.33 pounds which is 7.88 kg.
We also know the weights of 3 gallons and 5 gallons of sand.