Paver Sand Calculator: How Much Sand Under Pavers (2026)

Paver sand is the 1-inch leveling layer of coarse, washed concrete sand (ASTM C-33) that sits between your compacted base and the pavers themselves. Order too little and the field dips; order too much and you get rutting, lippage, and a patio that settles unevenly within a season. This guide gives you a free paver sand calculator, the exact cubic-yard and ton conversions, and the bedding-vs-jointing rules contractors actually follow on driveways and patios.

Quick answer — how much paver sand do you need?

• 100 sq ft patio (1" bed) — 0.31 cu yd ≈ 0.4 tons ≈ 9 × 50 lb bags
• 200 sq ft patio (1" bed) — 0.62 cu yd ≈ 0.8 tons ≈ 17 bags
• 400 sq ft patio (1" bed) — 1.24 cu yd ≈ 1.7 tons ≈ 34 bags
• Walkway 50 sq ft (1" bed) — 0.15 cu yd ≈ 5 bags
• Driveway 500 sq ft (1.5" bed) — 2.31 cu yd ≈ 3.1 tons (bulk delivery)

Cubic yards of paver sand = (Sq ft × Depth in inches) ÷ 324

The constant 324 converts square feet × inches into cubic yards in one step. Multiply the result by 1.35 to get tons (sand weighs about 2,700 lb / cu yd). A standard 50 lb bag covers ~0.5 cu ft, so 1 cubic yard = 54 bags.

Paver sand coverage chart (1-inch bedding depth)

Use 1" for patios and walkways and 1.5" for driveways. Going thicker than 1.5" is the #1 reason pavers settle — sand compacts, gravel base doesn't.

• 50 sq ft — 0.15 cu yd · 5 bags
• 100 sq ft — 0.31 cu yd · 9 bags
• 150 sq ft — 0.46 cu yd · 14 bags
• 250 sq ft — 0.77 cu yd · 21 bags
• 500 sq ft — 1.54 cu yd · 42 bags (order bulk above 1 yd)
• 1,000 sq ft — 3.09 cu yd · order by the ton

Bedding sand vs jointing sand — don't mix them up

Two different products do two different jobs. Buy them separately and you avoid the most common DIY paver failure.

• Bedding sand — coarse, sharp, washed concrete sand (ASTM C-33). Goes UNDER pavers, 1" thick.
• Jointing sand — fine polymeric sand. Swept BETWEEN pavers after installation to lock joints.
• Do not use play sand, mason sand, or stone dust as bedding — they hold water and the patio heaves in winter.

2026 paver sand prices (US average)

• 50 lb bag at home center — $5–$8
• Bulk delivered (per cu yd) — $30–$55
• Bulk delivered (per ton) — $22–$40
• Delivery fee (under 5 yd) — $75–$150 flat

Crossover point is roughly 0.75 cu yd (≈ 40 bags). Above that, bulk delivery is cheaper even with the fee — and you avoid hauling 800+ lb of sand in your car.

How to measure for paver sand

1. Square footage — length × width of the paved area in feet. For curved patios, draw a rectangle around the shape and multiply by 0.85.
2. Bed depth — 1" for patios and walkways, 1.5" for driveways. Never exceed 1.5".
3. Order 10% extra to account for screeding waste and uneven base.
4. Confirm your base is 4"–6" of compacted ¾" crushed gravel BEFORE the sand goes down.

Frequently asked questions

How many bags of paver sand per pallet?

A standard pallet holds 56 × 50 lb bags = 2,800 lb = ~1.04 cubic yards.

Can I use paver sand instead of polymeric sand in joints?

No. Plain bedding sand washes out of joints within weeks. Use polymeric jointing sand between pavers — it hardens with water and resists ants, weeds, and erosion.

What is the best sand to put under pavers?

ASTM C-33 washed concrete sand. It is angular, drains fast, and locks pavers in place. Avoid masonry sand (too fine) and stone dust (compacts and traps water).

How thick should sand be under pavers?

Exactly 1 inch for patios and walkways, 1.5 inches for driveways. Thicker beds settle unevenly within one freeze-thaw season.

Related calculators

• Polymeric sand calculator — for jointing after the pavers are set
• Gravel calculator — for the 4"–6" base layer under the sand
• Concrete slab calculator — for solid alternatives to a paver patio

Order your bedding sand and base gravel in the same delivery to save the second trip charge. Confirm everything against the live calculator on our home page before you place the order.