🧱 Paver Sand Calculator
Enter the paved area and bedding depth to estimate the setting sand needed under your pavers — in cubic feet, cubic yards, US tons, and the number of 50-lb bags to buy.
🧱 Estimate Your Paver Bedding Sand
What is a Paver Sand Calculator?
A paver sand calculator sizes the bedding layer that pavers sit on. From the paved area and the depth of the sand bed, it works out the volume in cubic feet and yards, an estimated weight in tons, and how many 50-lb bags to buy — so a patio or walkway project starts with the right order.
Enter the length and width in feet and a bedding depth in inches (1 inch is typical). The tool assumes a standard dry-sand density and rounds bags up to whole units. These are estimates for planning; add a little extra for cuts, irregular shapes, and compaction.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need under pavers?
A 1-inch bedding layer is standard for most paver patios and walkways. For 100 square feet at 1 inch deep, that is 100 × (1 ÷ 12) = about 8.33 cubic feet of sand. The calculator converts that into cubic yards, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of 50-lb bags so you can buy the right amount.
How thick should the paver sand bed be?
Aim for about 1 inch of bedding sand over a compacted gravel base — thick enough to seat and level the pavers, thin enough to stay stable. More than about 1.5 inches invites rutting and settling. The bedding sand is not a substitute for a proper compacted sub-base beneath it.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Use coarse, sharp concrete or bedding sand for the setting layer, not fine masonry or play sand, which shifts too easily. For the joints between pavers, use polymeric jointing sand instead. This calculator sizes the bedding layer; buy jointing sand separately based on joint width and paver thickness.
Are these paver sand figures exact?
They are planning estimates. Screed depth varies, the base is rarely perfectly flat, and some sand is lost to spillage and compaction. The calculator rounds bags up to whole units, but add a little extra for irregular areas and cuts, and confirm coverage against the bag's stated square footage.