Which sand for which job — concrete, fill, mason, and play sand, and whether each compacts
The name on the ticket decides the job. Concrete/sharp (C33) and fill sand are well-graded — they lock under a tamper and carry load (concrete, paver bedding, structural fill). Mason (C144) and play sand are uniform fine grading — they stay loose (mortar, joints, sandboxes). Never use a non-compacting fine sand as a structural paver base; that needs crushed stone.
What this diagram shows
A comparison of four common sands drawn as filled bins. Concrete or sharp sand (ASTM C33) is used for concrete mix and paver bedding and compacts under a tamper because it is well graded. Fill or utility sand is used for pipe bedding and grade fill and also compacts, in lifts of 8 inches or less. Mason sand (ASTM C144) is used for mortar mix and paver joints and stays loose because its fine grading is uniform. Play sand is washed and screened for sandboxes at a 12-inch minimum depth and also stays loose. A green check marks the sands that compact and carry load; a gray mark shows the fine sands that stay loose. The advisory warns never to use a non-compacting fine sand as a structural paver base — that job needs crushed stone.
Sand Calculator
Free sand calculator: ASTM C33 concrete, C144 mason, play, fill & M-sand. Cubic yards, tons, 50-lb bag count with compaction & wet-weight.
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