Paver Sand Calculator

Calculate the bedding layer as its own material order—separate from compacted base and polymeric joint sand.

Bedding-sand orderThe bedding layer does not reuse base-compaction or joint-coverage assumptions.

18bedding sand bags

Net volume: 8.33 ft³ (0.31 yd³)
Order volume: 8.75 ft³ (0.32 yd³)
Estimated order weight: 875 lb
US short tons: 0.44
Whole bags: 18 × 50 lb

Weight depends on the editable bulk density. Use a supplier value for the same bedding sand and material condition.

Show calculation

10 ft × 10 ft × 1 in ÷ 12 × (1 + 5%) × 100 lb/ft³ = 875 lb

Transparent method and editable product assumptions. Verify current labels and project requirements.

How this calculator works

This workflow isolates the bedding course directly beneath the pavers. It multiplies paved area by the specified finished bedding depth.

The result shows geometry volume first. Weight and bags then use an editable bulk density and label bag weight for the actual bedding material. The calculator does not copy the paver-base loose conversion into sand.

Polymeric sand in the finished joints uses manufacturer area-per-bag coverage or compatible joint volume. It is a different material stage and should not be added here.

Formula

Bedding volume = paved length × width × bedding depth; mass = order volume × bedding bulk densityThe live substitution appears with your result.

Control example: 100 ft² at 1 inch

The bedding geometry is 100 × 1 ÷ 12 = 8.33 ft³.

At a user-entered 100 lb/ft³, 5% waste, and 50 lb bags, the estimate is ceil(875 ÷ 50) = 18 bags.

Assumptions and limits

Paved area is a simple non-overlapping rectangle.
Bedding depth comes from the selected installation system.
Density matches the bedding sand and state.
Base extension outside the pavers is not automatically added to bedding.

Common measuring mistakes

Combining compacted base and bedding into one depth.
Using polymeric-joint coverage for bedding sand.
Applying the base compaction factor again to the bedding layer.

Sources

Product-specific values remain editable. These sources support the method and stated examples; they are not a universal substitute for your supplier’s current label.

Belgard Technical Resource Guide Treats the bedding course separately from the compacted aggregate base.

Questions people ask

Is paver base included?

No. Base is a compacted structural layer with a separate volume conversion.

Is polymeric sand included?

No. Polymeric sand fills finished joints and uses product-specific coverage.

Does the tool choose bedding thickness?

No. Enter the thickness specified by the paver system or qualified project guidance.