Paver Sand Calculator
Estimate bedding sand under pavers in cubic feet, cubic yards, tons and whole bags from patio area, bedding depth, waste and your sand’s density.
Interactive calculator · Method PAVER-SAND-1.0 · Last reviewed: 2026-11-04
Calculate your scenario
Sand volume (cu ft) = paved area (sq ft) × bedding depth (in) ÷ 12 × (1 + waste %).
Your inputs
Default worked example. Edit the inputs to calculate your scenario.
Default worked example
200 sq ft × 1 in ÷ 12 × (1 + 10%) = 18.33 cu ft × 100 lb/ft³ = 1,833 lb → 37 bags.
How to use the calculator
Enter the paved area or its length and width, the screeded bedding depth, a waste allowance, the density your supplier gives and the bag size by weight or by volume.
What the result means
A 20 × 10 ft patio with a 1 in sand bed and 10% waste needs about 18.33 cu ft (0.679 cu yd) of sand, roughly 1,833 lb at 100 lb/ft³, or 37 bags of 50 lb.
Formula and units
Sand volume (cu ft) = paved area (sq ft) × bedding depth (in) ÷ 12 × (1 + waste %). Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27; cubic meters = cubic feet × 0.0283168. Weight (lb) = cubic feet × your sand’s density; US tons = lb ÷ 2,000. Bags = weight or volume ÷ bag size, rounded up.
Worked examples
20 × 10 ft patio, 1 in bed, 50 lb bags: Length: 20 ft; Width: 10 ft; Area (entered-area mode): 200 sq ft; Bedding depth: 1 in; Waste allowance: 10 %; Sand density (example 100 lb/ft³; ask your supplier): 100 lb per cu ft; Bag size (example 50 lb): 50 lb or cu ft; Area entry: dims; Bag size unit: lb.
Example result: Whole bags: 37 × 50 lb; Bedding sand volume: 18.33 cu ft (0.679 cu yd); Volume in cubic meters: 0.519 m³; Weight at entered density: 0.917 US tons (1,833 lb).
350 sq ft walk in 0.5 cu ft bags: Length: 20 ft; Width: 10 ft; Area (entered-area mode): 350 sq ft; Bedding depth: 1 in; Waste allowance: 5 %; Sand density (example 100 lb/ft³; ask your supplier): 95 lb per cu ft; Bag size (example 50 lb): 0.5 lb or cu ft; Area entry: area; Bag size unit: cuft.
Example result: Whole bags: 62 × 0.5 cu ft; Bedding sand volume: 30.63 cu ft (1.134 cu yd); Volume in cubic meters: 0.867 m³; Weight at entered density: 1.455 US tons (2,909 lb).
Limitations and common mistakes
Bedding sand only: polymeric or joint sand swept between pavers is a separate product sized by its own bag coverage. The 100 lb/ft³ density is an example; damp sand and different gradations weigh differently, so use your supplier’s figure. Quantity only, not a pavement base or drainage design.
Adding the joint sand to the bedding layer, or the base gravel depth to the sand depth; each layer is ordered separately.
Sources and assumptions
Method PAVER-SAND-1.0; last formula review 2026-11-04. Sources and their supported claims. Calculation methodology.