Tool Creators : Zaheer Ahmed
Reviewed by: Professor Dr.Abdul Salam
Paver Sand Calculator
Estimate Sand for Pavers (ft³, yd³, bags & cost)
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Find quality paver sand at home improvement stores near you.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select between Bedding Sand (for base under pavers) or Joint Sand (for filling gaps between pavers)
- Enter your project dimensions - either length and width, or area directly
- Specify the depth of sand needed (use presets for common applications)
- Adjust advanced settings like bag size, density, and allowance if needed
- View your results instantly - volume, weight, bags needed, and cost estimate
Your Estimate
The calculator provides a comprehensive estimate based on your inputs, including a recommended waste allowance for real-world projects.
How We Calculate
Our calculator uses precise formulas to ensure accurate estimates:
- Area = Length × Width (units normalized)
- Volume (ft³) = Area(ft²) × Depth(ft)
- Volume (yd³) = Volume(ft³) ÷ 27
- Volume (m³) = Volume(ft³) × 0.028316846592
- Weight (lb) = Volume(yd³) × Density(lb/yd³)
- Weight (kg) = Weight(lb) × 0.45359237
- Bags needed = ceil(Weight(lb) / Bag Weight(lb))
Default density: 2410 lb/yd³ (≈ 1429.8 kg/m³)
Recommended Depths
- 1 inch - Standard for patio bedding sand
- 1/2 inch - For paver panel systems
- 1-2 inches - For driveways (depending on base preparation)
- Joint depth - Typically matches paver thickness for polymeric sand
Understanding Paver Sand
When installing pavers, two types of sand are typically used: bedding sand and joint sand. Understanding the difference is crucial for a successful project.
Bedding Sand (Base Sand)
Bedding sand creates a stable, level base for your pavers. It's placed directly on top of the compacted base material (usually crushed stone) and provides a smooth surface for the pavers to rest on. The sand should be coarse and sharp-edged (not round) to prevent shifting over time.
Joint Sand (Polymeric Sand)
Joint sand is used to fill the spaces between pavers after they're installed. Traditional joint sand is simply fine sand, while polymeric sand contains additives that harden when wet, creating a more durable and weed-resistant surface. Polymeric sand is especially useful in areas with heavy rain or where weed growth is a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the bedding sand calculator: area × depth (1 inch typical) → volume. Allow 10% for waste. For example, a 10×10 ft patio at 1 inch depth needs about 0.93 yd³ or approximately 28-30 40lb bags with allowance.
Standard is 1 inch for patio bedding; 1/2 inch for interlocking panel systems. Driveways typically need thicker base (1-2 inches) depending on soil conditions and expected load.
Bedding sand creates a stable base under pavers, while polymeric sand is used to fill joints between pavers and hardens when wet, preventing weed growth and insect infiltration.
Calculate volume in cubic feet, then divide by bag coverage. Our calculator automatically does this and adds waste allowance. For example, 100 ft² area at 1 inch depth = 8.33 ft³. With 10% allowance = 9.17 ft³. If using 0.5 ft³ bags, you'd need 19 bags.
Yes, our calculator supports both imperial (feet/inches) and metric (meters/cm) units with automatic conversions between systems.
Polymeric sand coverage depends on joint width and depth. Our joint calculator helps estimate based on these factors. Typically, a 40lb bag covers 20-80 sq ft depending on joint dimensions.