How Much Sand for Pavers? Bedding and Joint Sand
How much sand for pavers comes down to two separate layers. The bedding layer goes under the pavers, typically about 1 inch of coarse concrete sand screeded flat over the compacted base. Joint sand fills the gaps between pavers after they are laid. For bedding, a ton of sand covers roughly 200 to 240 square feet at an inch thick, so a 200 square foot patio needs about a ton.
Volume and tonnage calculator →Bedding sand
Use coarse, washed concrete sand, often described as meeting ASTM C33. Avoid fine play sand, mason sand, or stone dust for bedding unless your paver maker approves it; fine materials can hold water and shift.
Bedding sand math
- Area: length x width in square feet.
- Volume: area x 1/12 foot (1 inch) = cubic feet.
- Cubic yards: cubic feet / 27.
- Tons: cubic yards x about 1.3 to 1.4.
- Add 10 percent for screeding waste.
| Patio area | Cubic feet at 1 inch | Approximate tons |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | About 8.3 | About 0.4 to 0.45 |
| 200 sq ft | About 16.7 | About 0.8 to 0.9 |
| 400 sq ft | About 33.3 | About 1.6 to 1.75 |
| 600 sq ft | About 50 | About 2.4 to 2.6 |
Bulk sand is usually sold by the ton or yard. See how much a yard of sand weighs.
Bagged sand
Bagged all-purpose or paver sand often comes in 50-pound bags of about half a cubic foot. A 100 square foot patio at an inch needs about 17 bags, plus a few extra.
Joint sand
After pavers are set and compacted, joints are filled. Options:
- Regular joint sand: fine sand swept in and compacted; cheap but can wash out.
- Polymeric sand: sand mixed with binders that harden when wet, reducing weeds and washout. See polymeric sand coverage.
Joint sand quantity depends on joint width and paver size, from a few bags for a small patio to more for wide-joint or tumbled pavers.
Screeding tips
- Lay two screed rails, such as 1-inch pipes, on the compacted base.
- Spread sand slightly above the rails.
- Pull a straight board across the rails to level the sand.
- Remove the rails and fill the grooves lightly.
- Do not walk on screeded sand; lay pavers from the finished side.
Do not use sand to fix low spots in the base. Fix the base instead, keeping bedding uniform.
Common mistakes
- Making the bedding layer too thick, which can lead to settling and ruts.
- Using fine sand or stone dust that traps water.
- Forgetting extra bedding sand for edges and cuts.
Bottom line
For pavers, plan about 1 inch of coarse concrete sand bedding, roughly 1 ton per 200 to 240 square feet, plus joint sand based on joint width. Keep bedding uniform, fix grade in the base, and order a little extra. Calculate the base layer with how much paver base do I need.
Questions people ask
How thick should sand be under pavers?
About 1 inch of coarse concrete sand is typical for bedding.
How much sand do I need for 100 square feet of pavers?
About 0.4 to 0.45 tons, or roughly 17 half-cubic-foot bags, at 1 inch thick.
What kind of sand goes under pavers?
Coarse, washed concrete sand is commonly used. Avoid fine play sand.
Can I use stone dust instead of sand under pavers?
Some installers do, but many paver makers prefer concrete sand because stone dust can hold water.
Is joint sand the same as bedding sand?
No. Joint sand is finer or polymeric and fills the gaps between pavers.
Related guides
- How Much Paver Base Do I Need? Depth and Tons
- Polymeric Sand Coverage: Bags per Square Foot
- How Much Does a Yard of Sand Weigh? Dry vs. Wet Tons
- How Much Does a Pallet of Pavers Weigh?
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.