Paver Sand Calculator
The screeded layer of bedding sand that pavers sit in: tons for a bulk delivery, or bags if you’re hauling it yourself.
How to work out paver sand
tons = area × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 × (1 + waste) × 1.35 t/yd³
Washed concrete sand weighs roughly 2,700 lb per loose cubic yard — call it 1.35 tons. At 1 inch deep that works out to about 0.42 tons per 100 sq ft before waste. Bulk sand is sold damp, which adds weight but also bulks the volume, so the two roughly cancel for ordering purposes.
Screeding a 1-inch bed
- Lay two lengths of 1-inch outside-diameter pipe on the compacted base, 6–8 ft apart.
- Fill between them with loose sand, then pull a straight 2×4 across the pipes to strike it flat.
- Lift the pipes out, fill the grooves by hand and trowel smooth. Don’t walk on the screeded sand.
- Lay pavers from a corner, working on the pavers you’ve already set, then plate-compact them into the sand.
Sand needed per patio size (1 in deep, +10%)
| Patio | Area | Tons | 50-lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 sq ft | 0.46 | 19 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 144 sq ft | 0.66 | 27 |
| 12 × 16 ft | 192 sq ft | 0.88 | 36 |
| 16 × 20 ft | 320 sq ft | 1.47 | 59 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 sq ft | 1.83 | 74 |
| 20 × 30 ft | 600 sq ft | 2.75 | 111 |
Questions people ask
How much sand do I need under pavers?
One inch of bedding sand across the whole paved area. That is 0.083 cubic feet per square foot, or about 0.31 cubic yards (0.42 tons) per 100 sq ft, plus about 10% for screeding losses.
How many bags of paver sand per square foot?
A 50-lb bag of dry concrete sand holds about half a cubic foot, which screeds out to roughly 6 sq ft at 1 inch deep. A 100 sq ft patio needs about 17–18 bags; wet sand from a bulk pile goes a little further per pound.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Coarse washed concrete sand meeting ASTM C33. Its sharp grains lock together and it drains. Avoid play sand, masonry sand and stone dust as the bedding layer — fine particles hold water and let pavers rut or heave.
Can I use more than 1 inch of sand to level the base?
No. Fix high and low spots in the compacted base instead. Sand thicker than about 1½ inches shifts under load and the pavers settle into dips. The sand layer is a bed for the pavers, not a leveling course.