Paver Sand Calculator
Bedding sand is the 1″ screeded layer pavers sit on. Use coarse concrete sand, never masonry or play sand. Joint sand (polymeric) is separate and small — about one 50 lb bag per 50–80 ft².
Order 1.00 t — yards sell sand by the ton or ½ ton; most have a 1-ton minimum.
- Area
- 192 ft²
- Volume (16.0 ft³)
- 0.59 yd³
- Net weight @ 1.40 t/yd³
- 1,659 lb · 0.83 t
- Waste / settling 10%
- + 0.08 t
- Order quantity
- 0.91 tons
- Truckloads
- 1 × tri-axle dump (≈20 t)
- Metric
- 0.45 m³ · 0.83 tonnes
- 50 lb bag (0.5 ft³)
- 36 bags
- Materials + delivery$25–$60 / ton · Sep 2026
- $110 – $145
- Installed (with labor)typ. $148
- $124 – $182
Quantities follow the ticket. Links may earn us a commission at no cost to you; they never change a number.
What will this sand job cost?
See the installed price range for these quantities and get up to 3 quotes from local contractors. Free, no obligation.
How to calculate sand by hand
Tons = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × 1.35 t/yd³
Worked example
- Area: 20 ft × 10 ft = 200 ft².
- Volume: 200 ft² × (2 in ÷ 12) = 33.3 ft³ = 1.23 yd³.
- Weight: 1.23 yd³ × 1.35 t/yd³ = 1.67 tons.
- Waste 5%: 1.67 × 1.05 = 1.75 tons → order 1.75 tons.
- Bagged: 35 ft³ ÷ 0.5 ft³ = 70 × 50 lb bags.
- 1 ton of sand at 1″ deep
- ≈ 240 ft²
- 1 ton of sand at 2″ deep
- ≈ 120 ft²
- 1 yd³ of dry sand
- ≈ 2,700 lb · 1.35 t
- 50 lb bag
- ≈ 0.5 ft³
Questions crews ask
How much sand do I need for a paver patio?
One inch of concrete sand over the compacted base: square feet ÷ 12 ÷ 27 gives yards. A 16 × 12 ft patio (192 ft²) needs 16 ft³ = 0.6 yd³, about 0.8 tons, or 32 × 50 lb bags with 10% extra.
What sand goes under pavers?
Coarse, sharp concrete sand (ASTM C33) for the bedding layer. Polymeric sand for the joints. Masonry and play sand are too fine and will wash out or hold water under the pavers.
How thick should paver sand be?
One inch, screeded flat before the pavers go down; never more than 1½″. Thicker beds settle unevenly. The base under it should be 4–6″ of compacted crushed stone.