Paver Sand Calculator
Calculate the bedding sand under a paver patio — cubic yards for a chosen sand depth, plus tons and how many bags.
How it works
cubic yards = area × (depth ÷ 12) × (1 + waste%) ÷ 27 · tons ≈ cubic feet × 100 lb ÷ 2000
Bedding sand is a thin, uniform layer, so its volume is the patio area times the bed depth in feet. A 1 in screeded setting bed of coarse concrete/bedding sand is standard over a compacted gravel base — this figure is that sand only, not joint sand or the base. Weight uses roughly 100 lb per cubic foot for damp sand, so a cubic yard is about 1.35 tons.
Worked example
A 20 × 12 ft patio is 240 sq ft. A 1 in bed with 10% waste is 240 × 0.0833 × 1.1 = 22 cu ft = 0.81 cubic yards, roughly 1.1 tons or 44 fifty-pound bags.
Frequently asked questions
How thick should the paver sand bed be?
Screed a uniform 1 in (25 mm) setting bed of coarse bedding sand and do not vary it to correct for a bumpy base — the base carries the load and the sand only seats the pavers. A thicker sand layer will rut and let pavers sink.
Is bedding sand the same as joint sand?
No. Bedding sand is the coarse layer the pavers sit on; joint sand (often polymeric) is swept into the gaps afterward to lock them. Order joint sand separately based on paver thickness and joint width.
What goes under the sand?
A compacted, well-drained aggregate base — typically 4–6 in for a patio and more for a driveway. The sand bed does nothing structural; skimping on the base is what causes settling and heave.
Related calculators
Estimates only — add for waste and confirm against local building codes and supplier specs.