How Much Sand Do I Need for Pavers?
Installing a patio, walkway, or driveway with concrete or brick pavers? Getting the bedding sand depth right is critical — too little and pavers shift, too much and they rock. This guide covers exactly how much sand you need, in cubic yards, tons, and bags, with a worked example for a standard backyard patio.
The Formula
Volume (cu ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft)
Depth (ft) = Depth (inches) ÷ 12
Volume (cu yd) = Volume (cu ft) ÷ 27
Weight (tons) = Volume (cu yd) × 1.35 (dry sand density)
Bedding Sand Depth by Layer
| Layer | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compacted gravel base | 4–6 inches | Crushed stone (#21A or #57) — provides structural support. |
| Bedding sand (loose) | 1.25 inches | Screed down to 1 inch after leveling. Do not compact before laying. |
| Bedding sand (after screeding) | 1 inch | Industry standard per ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute). |
| Paver joint sand | Fill joints only | Polymeric sand swept into joints after pavers are set. |
Worked Example: 10×20 ft Patio
Patio size: 10 ft × 20 ft = 200 sq ft
Bedding sand depth: 1 inch (0.083 ft)
Volume: 200 × 0.083 = 16.67 cu ft ÷ 27 = 0.62 cubic yards
Weight (dry): 0.62 × 1.35 ≈ 0.84 tons (≈ 1,670 lbs)
With 10% waste: 0.68 cubic yards / 0.92 tons — round up to 1 ton when ordering bulk.
In bags (0.5 cu ft each): 16.67 cu ft ÷ 0.5 ≈ 34 bags + 3–4 extra = 37–38 bags
Sand Coverage at 1-Inch Depth
| Patio / Walkway Size | Cu Yds | Tons (dry) | Bags (0.5 cu ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8×8 ft (64 sq ft) | 0.20 | 0.27 | 11 |
| 10×10 ft (100 sq ft) | 0.31 | 0.42 | 17 |
| 10×20 ft (200 sq ft) | 0.62 | 0.84 | 34 |
| 12×24 ft (288 sq ft) | 0.89 | 1.20 | 48 |
| 16×20 ft (320 sq ft) | 0.99 | 1.34 | 54 |
| 20×30 ft (600 sq ft) | 1.85 | 2.50 | 100 |
Values at 1-inch depth, dry sand density (1.35 t/yd³), before waste factor. Add 10% for waste.
Bags vs. Bulk Sand
Bags (0.5–1 cu ft each)
Best for small patios under 100 sq ft, or when a truck delivery isn't practical.
More expensive per cubic yard. Easier to handle solo.
Bulk by the ton or yard
Best for patios 150 sq ft and larger. Most landscape suppliers deliver a minimum of 1 ton.
Significantly cheaper per unit. Requires a place to dump and a wheelbarrow.
Calculate Your Exact Sand Quantity
Enter your patio dimensions, depth, and waste factor for instant cubic yards, tons, and bag count.
Open Sand Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How much bedding sand do I need for a 10×20 ft patio?
At 1 inch thick: (10 × 20 × 1/12) ÷ 27 ≈ 0.62 cubic yards, or about 0.84 tons of dry sand. Add 10% waste — order approximately 0.68 cubic yards or just under 1 ton. Enter your exact dimensions in the Sand Calculator for a precise figure.
What depth of sand should go under pavers?
Bedding sand (also called screeding sand) should be 1 inch (25 mm) thick after compaction. Starting with 1.25 inches of loose sand before screeding accounts for settling. Using more than 1 inch makes the pavers unstable and prone to rocking.
What type of sand is used under pavers?
Coarse concrete sand (ASTM C-33) is standard for paver bedding — it screeds smooth and drains well. Avoid fine play sand or masonry sand, which compact too tightly and can cause frost heave. Polymeric sand is used to fill the joints between pavers after installation.
How much joint sand do I need for pavers?
Joint-filling sand (polymeric or regular) is approximately 2–3 lbs per square foot for typical paver joints. For a 200 sq ft patio that works out to 400–600 lbs. Polymeric sand bags are typically 40–50 lbs each, so plan on 8–15 bags for a 200 sq ft project.
How many bags of sand do I need for a paver base?
A 0.5 cu ft bag covers about 6 sq ft at 1 inch depth. A 200 sq ft patio needs roughly 33 bags (0.5 cu ft each). Bulk delivery by the ton is more economical for patios over 150 sq ft — check prices with your local landscape supplier.
Do I need sand under a gravel base for pavers?
Bedding sand goes on top of the compacted gravel base, not underneath it. The typical paver stack-up from bottom to top is: compacted subgrade → 4–6 inches of compacted crushed stone base → 1 inch of screeded bedding sand → pavers → polymeric joint sand.
Sources & Assumptions
Bedding sand depth: 1-inch screeded depth is the widely accepted standard per common paver installation guidance from manufacturers, hardscape suppliers, and current industry association resources.
Sand density: Dry coarse concrete sand ≈ 1.35 t/yd³. Wet or damp sand may reach 1.63 t/yd³ — confirm with your supplier if ordering by weight.
Bag size: 0.5 cu ft bag assumed for bag count. Verify bag volume on the label before purchasing.
Disclaimer: Estimates do not include the gravel base layer. Use the Gravel Calculator for base layer quantities.
Last reviewed: May 2026
Related Calculators & Guides
Need the gravel base estimate too? Use the Gravel Calculator. Pouring a concrete slab on top? Try the Concrete Calculator.
Wondering about gravel driveway depth? See How Deep Should Gravel Be for a Driveway?
How This Estimate Was Prepared
All volume estimates on this page use standard area and volume formulas — length × width × depth, converted to cubic yards by dividing by 27. A 1-inch screeded bedding depth is used as the standard, consistent with widely accepted paver installation practice. Sand density reflects typical dry coarse concrete sand (≈ 1.35 t/yd³). A 10% waste factor is applied to account for variation in bed leveling and overfill. Always confirm bag yield and density with your supplier before purchasing. Last reviewed: May 2026.