# Paver Sand Calculator

Calculate how much bedding and joint sand you need for a paver project. Enter area, sand depth, and joint width for accurate quantities in tons and cubic yards.

## What this calculates

Paver projects need two types of sand: bedding sand underneath and joint sand swept between the pavers. Getting both quantities right means your pavers sit level and stay locked in place. Enter your patio or walkway dimensions to calculate exactly how much of each you need.

## Inputs

- **Paver Area Length** (ft) — min 0
- **Paver Area Width** (ft) — min 0
- **Bedding Sand Depth** (in) — min 0.5, max 2 — Standard is 1 inch. Range: 0.5 - 1.5 in
- **Joint Width Between Pavers** (in) — min 0.0625, max 0.5 — Typical: 1/16 to 3/16 inch
- **Paver Thickness** (in) — min 1, max 4 — Standard pavers: 2-3/8 in, thick pavers: 3-1/8 in
- **Sand Price Per Ton** ($) — min 0

## Outputs

- **Paver Area** (ft²)
- **Bedding Sand** (yd³) — Sand layer under the pavers
- **Joint Sand** (yd³) — Sand swept between the pavers
- **Total Sand** (yd³)
- **Total Sand** (tons)
- **Estimated Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

## Two Types of Paver Sand

### Bedding Sand
This goes under your pavers on top of the compacted gravel base. It creates a smooth, level surface for the pavers to sit on. Use coarse, angular concrete sand -- not play sand or mason sand.

**Standard depth:** 1 inch after compaction. Lay about 1.25 inches of loose sand so it compacts to 1 inch when you screed and set the pavers.

### Joint Sand (Polymeric or Regular)
This gets swept into the cracks between pavers after they are laid. It locks the pavers together and keeps weeds out.

- **Regular sand joints:** Cheaper, but needs periodic refilling
- **Polymeric sand:** Hardens when wet, resists weeds and erosion, costs more

### How Much Sand Per Square Foot?

For 1 inch of bedding sand, you need about 0.083 ft³ per square foot, which works out to roughly 100 lbs per 12 square feet. Joint sand adds another 5-10% depending on the gap width and paver thickness.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much sand do I need under pavers?**

A: You need about 1 inch of bedding sand under pavers, which works out to roughly 1 cubic yard per 325 square feet, or about 1.35 tons per 325 ft². For a 10x10 ft patio, that is about 0.31 cubic yards or 0.42 tons of sand.

**Q: Can I use play sand for paver bedding?**

A: No, play sand is too fine and round. Use coarse, angular concrete sand (also called C-33 sand) for paver bedding. The angular grains lock together and resist shifting under the pavers. Play sand will move around and cause uneven settling.

**Q: How deep should the sand bed be for pavers?**

A: The bedding sand should be exactly 1 inch after compaction. Lay about 1.25 inches of loose sand to account for compaction. Do not go thicker than 1.5 inches or the pavers may settle unevenly over time.

**Q: How much polymeric sand do I need between pavers?**

A: Polymeric sand fills the joints between pavers. For standard 2-3/8 inch thick pavers with 1/8 inch joints, you need about 1 bag (50 lbs) per 60-80 square feet. The exact coverage depends on joint width and paver thickness.

---

Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/paver-sand
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08