Calculate how much bedding and joint sand you need for a paver project, including volume, weight, bag count, and total cost.
Paver Sand Formula
This calculator works in three modes. Bedding sand under the pavers is solved from area and depth, joint sand for the gaps is solved from area and a coverage rate, and the cost mode prices a known amount of sand.
Bedding sand volume:
V = A * D
Converting that volume to weight:
W = (V / 27) * Density
Joint or polymeric sand by coverage:
Bags = A / C
- V = volume of bedding sand in cubic feet
- A = paved area in square feet
- D = bedding sand depth in feet (a 1 inch layer is 0.0833 ft)
- W = weight of sand in pounds
- Density = sand density in pounds per cubic yard (mason sand is about 2,700)
- Bags = number of bags of joint sand, rounded up
- C = coverage of one bag in square feet, set by paver type and joint width
In bedding mode you enter the area (or its dimensions) and a depth, and the calculator returns volume in cubic feet and cubic yards, weight in pounds and tons, and optional bag count and cost. In joint mode you enter the area and pick a coverage rate, and it returns the number of bags to buy. In cost mode you enter an amount of sand you already plan to buy and a price, and it returns the weight and total cost. Divide the cubic feet result by 27 to read cubic yards, and multiply cubic yards by density to read weight.
Sand Density and Joint Coverage
Weight depends on the type of sand, and joint sand bag coverage depends on how wide the gaps between pavers are. The values below are the defaults used in the calculator.
| Sand type | Density (lb/yd³) | Density (lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| Mason / bedding sand | 2,700 | 100 |
| All-purpose paver sand | 2,700 | 100 |
| Concrete / sharp sand | 2,900 | 107 |
| Wet sand | 3,240 | 120 |
Joint sand coverage falls as the gaps get wider, so a single bag covers less area.
| Paver type and joint | Approx. coverage per bag |
|---|---|
| Standard pavers, 1/8 in joint | ~80 sq ft |
| Standard pavers, 1/4 in joint | ~50 sq ft |
| Tumbled / wide joint | ~30 sq ft |
| Flagstone / irregular wide joint | ~20 sq ft |
Example Problems
Example 1: Bedding sand for a patio. You have a 12 ft by 10 ft patio and want a 1 inch bedding layer of mason sand. The area is 12 x 10 = 120 sq ft. A 1 inch depth is 0.0833 ft, so the volume is 120 x 0.0833 = 10 cubic feet, which is 10 / 27 = 0.37 cubic yards. The weight is 0.37 x 2,700 = about 1,000 lb, or roughly half a ton.
Example 2: Joint sand for the same patio. The same 120 sq ft patio uses standard pavers with 1/4 in joints, so one bag covers about 50 sq ft. The bag count is 120 / 50 = 2.4, which rounds up to 3 bags.
FAQ
How deep should the bedding sand layer be? A 1 inch layer is the standard for setting pavers, and the calculator uses that depth by default. Going much thicker is not recommended because a deep sand layer can shift and let the pavers settle unevenly. The 1 inch sand bed sits on top of a compacted gravel base, which provides the real structural support.
What is the difference between bedding sand and joint sand? Bedding sand is the leveling layer the pavers rest on, and you size it by area and depth. Joint sand fills the narrow gaps between pavers after they are set, and you size it by area and a coverage rate. Polymeric joint sand hardens when wetted to lock the pavers in place and resist weeds, while bedding sand stays loose. The calculator handles each one in its own mode.
How much sand do I need per square foot? For a 1 inch bedding layer you need about 1/12 of a cubic foot of sand per square foot, so 100 sq ft needs roughly 8.3 cubic feet, or about 0.31 cubic yards. For joint sand, the amount depends entirely on the joint width, which is why coverage ranges from about 20 to 80 sq ft per bag.
