By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Paver sand is two different materials: a 1-inch bedding layer under the pavers and a joint sand swept into the gaps. Bedding sand is a flat 1 inch everywhere; joint sand volume depends on the joint width, depth and the paver size.
Bedding sand and joint sand for a paver installation.
Bedding = area ÷ 12 cu ft Joint sand = area × joint depth × joint fraction × 1.1
Bedding sand is never more than 1 inch; deeper bedding shifts underfoot. The joint fraction is the share of the paved surface that is gap rather than paver, and 10% is added for waste. Polymeric sand bags are usually 50 lb, about 0.5 cu ft.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Paved area. |
| j | Joint width. |
| d | Joint depth. |
Bedding sand is 25 cu ft; joint sand is about 2.5 cu ft, or five 50 lb bags of polymeric sand.
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About 1 cubic foot per 12 square feet, which is the volume of a 1 inch layer. Never go deeper than an inch or the pavers will wander as the sand compacts.
Results use standard construction estimating arithmetic: volumes from measured area and depth, unit weights from published material densities, and code-referenced spans or clearances where the page names a code. Quantities are rounded up to whole saleable units and include the stated waste allowance. These tools are planning aids, not structural design, and do not replace a licensed engineer, a local code check, or a contractor's site measurement.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026