Paver Sand Calculator

To determine how much sand you need for pavers, you must account for two separate layers: (1) the 1-inch (25 mm) bedding sand layer beneath the pavers, and (2) the polymeric joint sand swept between the paver gaps. For a standard 100 sq ft patio, you need approximately 0.31 cubic yards (835 lbs or 17 fifty-pound bags) of ASTM C33 coarse concrete sand for the bedding layer, plus 1 to 2 bags (50–100 lbs) of polymeric joint sand to lock the paver joints.

To calculate paver bedding sand manually, multiply the length (ft) by width (ft) to get your square footage, multiply by the 1-inch bedding depth (1/12 ft = 0.0833 ft) to get cubic feet, and divide by 27 to find cubic yards. The simplified formula is: Cubic Yards = Square Footage ÷ 324. To convert cubic yards to US tons, multiply by 1.35 (average dry coarse concrete sand density: 2,700 lbs/yd³). For 50 lb bags, multiply the total cubic feet by 2.

You should place exactly 1 inch (25 mm) of uncompacted coarse concrete sand (ASTM C33) directly under your pavers. Never place more than 1.5 inches of bedding sand, because an overly thick sand bed will shift, rut, and create uneven depressions under foot and vehicular traffic. Structural support must come from 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed gravel base beneath the 1-inch sand layer.

The sand layer under pavers should be strictly 1 inch (25 mm) deep, according to Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) industry standards. A uniform 1-inch layer allows the pavers to seat properly during final plate compaction without allowing horizontal shear or moisture-induced settling. Never use sand as a substitute for the crushed gravel base layer.

For common patio dimensions with a 1-inch bedding layer plus joint fill:
• 100 sq ft patio (10' × 10'): 0.31 cu yds (0.42 tons / 17 bags of bedding sand) + 1–2 bags polymeric joint sand.
• 200 sq ft patio (10' × 20'): 0.62 cu yds (0.84 tons / 34 bags of bedding sand) + 3 bags polymeric joint sand.
• 300 sq ft patio (15' × 20'): 0.93 cu yds (1.25 tons / 50 bags of bedding sand) + 4 bags polymeric joint sand.
• 400 sq ft patio (20' × 20'): 1.23 cu yds (1.67 tons / 67 bags of bedding sand) + 5–6 bags polymeric joint sand.

To find how many 50 lb bags of paver bedding sand you need, multiply your patio square footage by 0.167 (or divide square footage by 6). For example, a 300 sq ft patio requires 300 × 0.167 = 50 bags (50 lbs each) of coarse bedding sand. For polymeric joint sand, one 50 lb bag covers 65 to 85 sq ft for standard 4" × 8" brick pavers with 1/8" joints, meaning a 300 sq ft patio needs 4 to 5 bags of polymeric joint sand.

A proper paver base consists of two distinct materials: compacted crushed stone aggregate (base) and coarse concrete sand (bedding layer). To calculate the 1-inch sand bedding base: divide total square footage by 324 to get cubic yards, then add a 5% to 10% compaction and screed waste factor. Do not use sand for the 4-to-6-inch structural sub-base; that layer requires dense-graded aggregate (crushed gravel / 3/4" road base).

No. Paver bedding sand is specifically ASTM C33 coarse concrete sand (sharp sand) featuring angular, jagged grains that interlock to provide a firm, free-draining foundation. Regular play sand or beach sand has smooth, round grains that roll like tiny ball bearings and wash away easily. Masonry sand (ASTM C144) is too fine for bedding and is used only for mortar mixes. Polymeric sand contains specialized chemical polymer binders designed specifically for locking paver joints.

For standard 4" × 8" interlocking brick pavers with tight 1/8-inch (3 mm) joints, you need approximately 0.6 to 0.75 lbs of polymeric sand per square foot (one 50 lb bag per 65–85 sq ft). For medium 1/4-inch joints, plan on 1.2 to 1.4 lbs per sq ft (one 50 lb bag per 35–45 sq ft). For wide 1/2-inch flagstone joints, plan on 2.5 to 3.5 lbs per sq ft (one 50 lb bag per 15–25 sq ft).

Yes. Our paver sand calculator provides complete multi-unit conversions in real time, estimating your total material needs in cubic yards (yd³), cubic feet (ft³), US tons, pounds (lbs), metric tonnes, and standard 50 lb and 60 lb retail bags. It also calculates both the 1-inch coarse bedding sand foundation and the required bags of polymeric joint sand.