What this calculator does
The paver sand calculator estimates the volume and weight of bedding sand needed beneath a paver patio, walkway, or driveway.
The formula
Volume in cubic feet is the area to cover multiplied by the sand depth (converted from inches to feet). Dividing by 27 converts cubic feet to cubic yards, the unit most bulk sand suppliers sell by. Weight is estimated using a typical bedding sand density of about 100 pounds per cubic foot (roughly 1.35 tons per cubic yard), a common industry approximation for compacted concrete/paver sand.
A standard bedding layer is about 1 inch deep after compaction. This estimate doesn’t include polymeric jointing sand swept between the paver joints, which is calculated separately.
Last reviewed August 2026